What does it mean when the EV SOC light comes on?
3 Answers
When the EV SOC light comes on, it indicates that the vehicle's battery level is low. Here's an explanation of the EV SOC light. Reason for the light: When the new energy SOC light comes on, it means the vehicle's battery level is insufficient. The new energy SOC reflects the actual usable battery capacity and is a crucial indicator during the operation of an electric vehicle. Accurately and reasonably estimating the new energy SOC offers numerous advantages, such as extending battery life, preventing overcharging or over-discharging, improving battery performance, and reducing battery costs. Introduction to SOC: The new energy SOC is a configuration that displays the battery's state of charge, hence it is also referred to as the remaining battery level. It represents the ratio of the current battery capacity to the total battery capacity. The reason for setting up SOC in new energy vehicles is to promote energy savings and emission reductions during driving, making it important to avoid using "fuel to charge." The correct way to prevent this situation is to maintain the new energy SOC between 15% and 25% when reaching the destination or charging point, ensuring driving quality while also conserving energy and reducing emissions.
When the SOC light comes on in an electric vehicle, it usually indicates an issue with the battery's state of charge. SOC stands for State of Charge, which you can think of as the battery's current 'health score'. The most immediate reason for the light coming on is low battery level, such as when you've been driving for too long without charging, and the dashboard alerts you to recharge. However, if the light remains on after charging, it might not be a simple case of low charge—it could indicate a charging system malfunction, like a poorly connected charging plug, aging charging cables, or a problem with the battery itself, such as internal aging preventing proper charging. Temperature can also play a role; for example, extreme cold in winter can reduce battery activity and trigger an SOC warning. I recommend stopping as soon as possible to try charging at a charging station. If the light stays on, head to a professional repair shop immediately for diagnostics. Don't push on driving, as running out of battery completely could leave you stranded, especially on highways, which can be very troublesome.
I've been using an electric car for several years and have encountered the SOC light coming on a few times. The first time was when I commuted home too late, and the battery dropped below 15%. That little yellow light popped up to remind me to charge, just like a low battery warning on a phone. Another time the light came on due to a charger issue—it showed charging but the battery level wasn't increasing, and I later discovered the metal contacts in the charging port had oxidized. Another troublesome situation is battery degradation. When the car was new, a full charge could cover 300 km, but after three years, the same distance might only reach 260 km, causing the SOC light to come on earlier, indicating a drop in actual battery capacity. Now, I regularly check the battery gauge and make it a habit to charge above 80%. If the SOC light stays on persistently, don't ignore it—either visit an authorized service center to check the battery's health or consult a mechanic familiar with electric vehicles to inspect the electrical system.
