Managing battery health and performance

Low battery level and discharged battery

Important

The traction battery can sustain severe damage if it is not charged after the battery level reaches 0%. The vehicle draws a small amount of power when parked. This means that leaving the vehicle with a low battery level without charging can lead to a discharged battery and battery damage. If the battery level is below 20% when parked, it is recommended that you connect the vehicle for charging as soon as possible.

If the battery level reaches 0%, the battery is considered discharged or empty. The vehicle then needs to be charged as soon as possible to reduce the risk of battery damage.

The smaller 12 V battery is also at risk of going flat if the traction battery can't supply it with power. If both batteries have gone flat, the vehicle will have no power at all and no ability to initiate charging.

High state of charge

Important

The traction battery can sustain damage if the vehicle's battery level is kept very high for a long period of time.

For regular charging, battery wear can be reduced by selecting a target battery level lower than 100%. Only charge to 100% if the full range is needed for your next trip.

If you are leaving the vehicle plugged in for charging without any immediate plans to drive it, select the target battery level recommended in the vehicle's charging view.

Charging habits

AC charging is the recommended charging mode for everyday charging. This helps maintain the condition of the battery over time. DC charging causes more wear.

Long-term parking

When leaving your vehicle parked for longer than one month, the recommended battery level is 40-60%. Use or charge the vehicle to reach the recommended level.

If you are leaving the vehicle parked for longer than three months, you should keep it plugged in but set a battery charging limit of 50%. This is for better battery health.

Regularly check the battery level and make sure that charging is working.

Tip

There is a separate section in this manual with more recommendations for long-term parking.

Parking in hot weather

Important

Avoid exposing the vehicle to extreme temperatures. Avoid leaving the vehicle parked for longer than 24 hours if there is a possibility that the temperature could reach 55 °C (131 °F).

When it is warm out, you should plug the vehicle in while it is parked. High temperatures cause battery damage, especially when the vehicle is exposed to hot weather for prolonged periods. The vehicle can actively cool the battery while it's parked, but that uses energy. When you return to your parked vehicle, the battery level may be noticeably lower than before. If the vehicle is plugged in for charging, it can cool the battery without lowering the battery level and risking a discharged battery.

In hot temperatures, it is recommended that you park in a shaded spot. Strong sunlight combined with high temperatures can lead to very high battery temperatures and excessive cooling needs.

Battery in cold temperatures

Cold temperatures can negatively affect your vehicle's battery. When the vehicle has a cold battery, a snowflake appears next to the battery percentage. This indicates that the battery’s charge capacity, performance and range are reduced compared to normal conditions. When the battery warms up – for example, while preconditioning the vehicle or when driving – the snowflake disappears from the instrument panel.

Cold temperatures may lower your vehicle's battery levels more quickly than you are used to, even when parked. Plan ahead when leaving your vehicle for any length of time. When there is a risk of cold weather conditions, keep in mind how this could affect the vehicle's batteries. Always take into consideration your distance to a charging point.

It is recommended that you check your vehicle's battery level regularly during periods of low temperatures and use battery preconditioning or a climate timer. Charge your vehicle when parked for longer than 24 hours in extremely cold temperatures, such as below -30 °C (-22 °F).

Note

Sounds

In certain weather conditions, you may hear sounds from the vehicle's power system while driving or charging. This can be due to the vehicle regulating the temperature of its electronics.

Tip

Activating eco climate allows your vehicle to make extra adjustments to increase your range.

If you feel like this makes the passenger compartment a bit too cold, you can use seat heating and steering wheel heating to keep warm, as these use less energy.