Is this something that you or your fleet drivers have also experienced before? The on-board computer suddenly announces that you need to refuel. A brief moment of panic, but then you remember: the reserve should certainly get me to the next filling station. So no problem at all. But how does that work with electric vehicles?
Problem averted for now, because if the electric company car comes to a halt due to a depleted battery, the mobility services of the Volkswagen brands can be on hand – just like the automobile associations. In its latest breakdown statistics, ADAC shows that the specific components, such as battery, electric motor or charging technology, have proven to be very reliable thus far: in the case of electric vehicles, these components accounted for barely 4.4 per cent of breakdowns in 2020. Nonetheless, it can still happen that the remaining range is not enough to reach the next charging station – or what is the situation actually like in practice?
- Your vehicle knows its reserve precisely
Even if it costs time on a tightly scheduled business trip – listen to the signals of your electric vehicle: the on-board computer will generally clearly indicate the range or an impending depleted battery. Electric vehicles also offer a decisive advantage in this respect since they can calculate their remaining range much more precisely than a combustion engine car: for example, the computer recalculates immediately if the driving profile changes and the range is then updated if necessary.
- Total depletion is virtually impossible in practice
Before an electric vehicle actually comes to a halt, it sends numerous warnings to the occupants. In addition, it can restrict the speed and even reduce the output of certain components, such as the air conditioning or heating. What’s more, even if the state of charge (SOC) is zero per cent, the battery still has an energy reserve to avoid a total discharge.
- Broken down: Is it really the battery?
If your electric vehicle reports another defect, you need to contact the breakdown professionals – and refrain from attempting a repair yourself. The high-voltage system under the bonnet can be dangerous for laypeople. The rule is: orange-coloured cables are taboo!
- Towing only by breakdown professionals
While a rope works with conventionally powered vehicles, it should not be used with electric vehicles. And for the following reason: electric vehicles recuperate energy via one of the axles, this means that they generate energy and supply it to the electric motor. Because the on-board system is inactive during towing, this can lead to high induction voltages, which damage the control electronics. An electric vehicle should therefore always be transported.
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Status: 30. November 2021
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