Leave e-cars parked for longer: tips for a carefree vacation

E-cars are becoming increasingly popular and the associated infrastructure is constantly being upgraded. However, there are also some technical issues surrounding these modern means of transportation, especially if you are going on vacation. Should you leave your e-car fully charged? Which airports actually have charging stations? And can you leave the vehicle at the charging station while you are on vacation? We explain what you need to bear in mind if you leave your electric car parked for longer.

Contents

1. Is it harmful to leave the e-car parked for longer?

2. With which battery level you can leave the e-car for longer

3. What else you should consider before leaving your electric car parked for longer

4. Can you leave your electric car at the charging station during your vacation?

5. Are airports equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles?

Is it harmful to leave your electric car parked for longer?

No need to worry - you can leave modern electric cars parked for longer without having to worry directly. This is because modern e-vehicle technology is advanced enough that a battery will not be damaged immediately just because you don't move the car for a few weeks or even a month. Of course, you should still follow a few basic rules to keep your electric car in the best possible condition for as long as possible.

With which battery level you can leave the electric car for longer

As a general rule, you should aim for a battery level of around 50% as the ideal level before leaving your electric car parked for longer. Expert opinions differ somewhat as to whether the range of 50% to 80% is also suitable for a longer standing time or whether the display should be between 50% and 20% - but you are not doing anything wrong with the charge level at the lower end. The loss of charge if you leave your electric car parked for longer is low, so it can still be started without any problems after your vacation. If, on the other hand, you charge your electric car until the battery is over 80% or even 100% full, the battery will be under high voltage. While this is not a problem during subsequent operation, the car should not be left in this state for a longer period of time, as otherwise the performance can drop permanently.

Tip: Make sure that your car is completely switched off and is not in standby mode, which is often the default, as this causes it to lose charge more quickly.

What else you should consider before leaving your electric car for a long time

While the battery is probably the most prominent question mark before you leave your electric car for a long time, there are also a few other points you should consider:

Maintaining the 12-volt starter battery: Similar as diesel and petrol cars, every electric car has the conventional 12-volt starter battery, which is responsible for the lighting system and internal electronics and - as the name suggests - starting the car, among other things. This is charged both when driving and when charging the vehicle. Before you park your electric car for weeks on end, you should therefore check whether the starter battery is in good condition. Otherwise, it may lose too much charge and your car will no longer start after a long time. If you want to be on the safe side here, you can get a battery maintenance device and/or a battery jump starter.

Avoid heat: If you leave your e-car parked for a longer period of time, it is better not to leave it in the blazing sun. This is not only detrimental to the paintwork and interior fittings, but can also damage your battery. The battery of your electric car may lose capacity significantly at temperatures above 40 °C. However, you don't need to worry about this in the cold, as electric cars have no problems with this.

Check tire pressure: As with any car, it obviously doesn't hurt to check the tires for the correct pressure if you plan to leave your e-car parked for a longer period of time. This also reduces the chance of imbalances forming in the tires due to longer periods of standing.

Can you leave your electric car at the charging station during your vacation?

What is theoretically possible with a private charging station for electric cars will be difficult in all other cases in purely practical terms - after all, you will be blocking a charging station for a longer period of time. Constantly charging the car is also not necessarily desirable. As explained above, you should never have a full 100% battery charge if you leave your e-car parked for a longer period of time. Although some e-vehicles offer the option of setting a maximum charge level, the benefits remain limited. An electric car discharges very slowly anyway and will still be roadworthy after the vacation if used properly.

By the way: Charging an electric car in the socket is generally not recommended except in absolute emergencies, especially if the car is parked for long periods. Ordinary sockets are not designed for the higher charging currents and it increases the risk of fire!

Are airports equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles?

Many airports already offer the option of recharging your electric car via conventional charging stations. Some of our Easy Airport Parking locations also have charging facilities if you want to park at Berlin/Brandenburg Airport or FMO Airport, for example. 

So you can float off on your vacation without a care in the world while your electric car waits safely for your return. We wish you a safe flight!