At some point in almost all vehicle owner's lives, they'll need to break out the jumper cables and ask someone to lend a hand or, in this case, a battery. Many EV owners have now experienced the situation where the vehicle battery is running out of power, and unable to charge it. So what should you do if the electric vehicle is losing power and cannot be recharged? This article will tell you how to jump-start your EVs just in case.
Battery
We all know EVs have a large battery pack that supplies power to the electric motor, but they also have a smaller 12-volt battery similar to those used in gas-powered cars. This 12V battery is separate from the high-voltage lithium-ion battery that drives the motor itself. Under no circumstances can you jump-start the large battery that helps your EV move from one place to the next. However, jumper cables can jump-start your EV's 12-volt battery.
How to jump-start an EV?
First, we suggest you contact your leasing provider and/or maintenance provider to prevent any damage caused by incorrectly jump-starting your vehicle. If you want to jump-start the electric car yourself, refer to your owner's manual or manufacturer's website to see if they provide specific instructions.
In general, here are the steps to follow when executing a jump start using a second vehicle:
- Follow Safety Precautions
It's vital to turn the vehicle off while jump-starting. You'll also need to park or tow your car away from potentially hazardous traffic.
-
Connect the Positive Clamps and the Negative Clamps
Connect the red (positive) clamp to the positive terminal of the dead vehicle's battery. Ensure the red and black connectors never touch while doing so. Connect the other end of the red cable to the working vehicle's battery. And it's time to attach the negative clamps. Connect one end of the black negative cable to the negative terminal of the 12-volt battery in the car that's providing the boost. Next, attach the other end of the negative jumper cable to the negative grounding point on the EV's discharged 12-volt battery.
Once you've hooked up your jumper cables by following the steps above, start the working vehicle and let it run for a couple of minutes. After that, attempt to start the dead car. If it doesn't start, try again in a few minutes. EVs that won't start after you attempt to jump them a few times will need to be taken to a mechanic for further inspection.
