Overview
- The AA issued practical guidance on Friday, May 29, during a late‑May heatwave that warned high ambient temperatures can harm EV batteries and slow charging.
- Lithium‑ion EV batteries work best around 20–25°C, so prolonged exposure above that range can cause overheating, reduced efficiency and faster degradation.
- Modern EVs use onboard thermal management to keep batteries safe, but those cooling systems draw power from the car and can reduce usable range when they run in hot weather.
- The AA and manufacturers such as Kia recommend parking in the shade, storing cars in garages when possible and keeping vehicles plugged in while parked so the grid supplies temperature control rather than the battery.
- No recalls or regulatory changes have been announced; the advice is operational best practice and could change charging and parking habits as hot spells become more common.