Is it Safe to Drive Electric Vehicles in a Heatwave?
Is Driving in a Heatwave Safe?
Driving during a heatwave or period of extreme heat is becoming an increasingly reality for drivers across the UK. That's why it's essential to know how to drive safely in hot weather, particularly for holidaymakers planning long-distance trips in the summer months.
For EV drivers, electric vehicles
are well-equipped to keep cool
during a heatwave. When you choose to go electric with Kia, you can enjoy a driving experience
designed for long-distance convenience and comfort, whatever the weather.
Whether you’re taking your EV on a weekend road trip or you simply enjoy long drives in the sunshine, our tips and advice help you stay safe when driving during a heatwave.
Is it safe to drive electric cars in a heatwave or extreme heat?
Put simply, yes, it is safe to drive electric cars in extreme heat. In fact, electric cars
can be a much safer option for driving in a heatwave than their petrol and diesel counterparts.
EVs are more effective at remaining cool in extreme heat. EV batteries
and motors are much more efficient than an ICE in regular petrol and diesel cars, as very little energy is wasted as heat. With no high-temperature exhaust and tailpipe emissions, it’s much easier for electric cars to maintain cooler temperatures.
Most electric cars,
including all Kia EVs, also use high-tech climate control settings, that allows you to preset a temperature in advance, the efficiency of the battery means your car should maintain this temperature without needing to waste energy using air con.
Does hot weather or extreme heat affect electric cars?
Although EVs are better are keeping cool than their petrol and diesel counterparts, driving in extreme heat can still affect some components in electric cars.
One example of this is the tyres. While tyres cannot melt in extreme heat, the air inside them can expand, which often causes the rubber to flex and increase stress on the tyre against the hot tarmac. This may increase the risk of a puncture, so be alert and always respond to low tyre pressure dashboard warning lights as quickly as possible.
Don’t forget that the conditions in a hot car can also affect the driver’s concentration and reaction times. Keeping cool is just as important for the vehicle occupants as it is for the vehicle itself, so always ensure your climate control system is working properly before you set off - and be sure to carry plenty of water with you.
If temperatures do reach over 40 degrees, it’s safer to avoid driving unless it’s absolutely necessary. Similarly, if you feel nervous driving during a heatwave, it’s best not to.
Tips for how to keep your electric car cool in a heatwave
If you’re planning a long-distance summer road trip,
following these guidelines will help you keep your electric vehicle as cool as possible
when driving in a heatwave:
• Use climate control presets – Make the most of these high-tech settings to get the inside of your car at the perfect, cool temperature before you set off.
• Park in a shaded area – Parking in the shade will prevent the sun from heating up the car, especially if you’re leaving it in one spot for a while.
• Don’t open windows – Opening windows during a heatwave is not the most effective way to ventilate the cabin and can be a distraction to the driver. Instead, it’s better to use your air con or climate control as it will fill the car with cold air, rather than the hot air from outside.
• Bring water – Always stock up with lots of water to keep the driver and passengers properly hydrated during your journey.
Plan your summer road trip with Kia
As a part of our Kia Connect
onboard services, all our EVs are fitted with our advanced climate control technology, which enables you to adjust the temperature in your Kia to suit your individual needs.
You can also use the Kia Connect app,
to set and schedule climate control remotely from your phone. This means that you can programme your car to cool down to a certain temperature in preparation for summer driving. Even better, if you do this while your EV is still plugged in, you won’t waste any battery power cooling down the car.
At Kia, we build cars that excel in all driving conditions. That’s why we’re constantly working and innovating to equip all our electric cars
with the most advanced technologies to facilitate long-distance driving.
Our expansive network of over 42,200 public charging stations
in the UK, including ultra-fast charging, means that you can travel across the UK without having to worry about charging opportunities. Alongside advanced technologies like Kia Connect
and Vehicle-to-Load,
our Kia electric cars
offer an ideal choice for long-distance driving in a planet-friendly way.
If you’re looking to plan a staycation or UK road trip, use our interactive map tool
to explore sustainable accommodation, restaurants and activities across the country.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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