Is it dangerous to charge an electric car in the sun?
3 Answers
Charging an electric car in the sun is dangerous. There is a risk of battery damage or even spontaneous combustion. It is best to avoid prolonged charging of electric vehicles under direct sunlight outdoors. Suitable charging locations: It is best to charge the battery in a cool, ventilated, and dry place. Direct sunlight or rain can adversely affect the performance of the battery and charger. During charging, keep the battery and charger away from other heat sources. Full charge status: The battery should be fully charged immediately after use. The charger's green light indicates a full charge. Storing the battery in a low-charge state for extended periods or using it without a full charge will affect its performance. Using the battery 3 hours after the charger's green light comes on yields optimal results.
I used to frequently charge my electric car in open-air parking lots during summer. To be honest, direct exposure to sunlight while charging isn't the safest option. EV batteries are inherently sensitive to high temperatures, and charging under intense sunlight can raise the battery temperature by several additional degrees. The battery management system usually automatically reduces charging speed to protect the battery when it overheats, which ironically prolongs charging time. More seriously, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can accelerate battery aging, potentially leading to faster range degradation after a few years. Additionally, the metal components near the charging port can get hot enough to fry an egg, so it's better to charge in the evening or under shade. Don't forget to check if the charging cable has cracked from sun exposure, as this could cause short circuits and fires. My experience suggests avoiding charging during midday heat whenever possible, and if you must charge, don't leave it plugged in under direct sunlight for more than two hours.
My electric car is charged weekly at the company's outdoor charging station, where the summer sun is so intense it can peel skin. An engineer friend told me that modern EVs face significant risks when the battery temperature exceeds 45°C during charging, and direct sunlight multiplies this danger. Although the car's cooling system operates, power consumption surges under high temperatures. Last month, I witnessed a colleague's car emitting a burnt smell while charging—later traced to overheated circuit connectors deforming. It's advisable to at least use a sunshade to cover the windshield during charging, which can lower temperatures by 7-8°C. Also, keep the charging port clean, as dust and sand particles can trigger arcs under heat. If charging under direct sunlight is unavoidable, opt for low-power slow charging over fast charging—it generates less heat and is much safer.
