Australia’s climate extremes — searing summers, flash floods, bushfire smoke and long seasonal storage needs — demand careful EV preparation. This guide gives clear, practical steps to prepare and protect your EV for extreme heat, flooding events and extended storage, helping preserve battery health and safety while keeping you ready when conditions change.
Table of Contents
- Preparing for extreme heat (daily use & prolonged heatwaves)
- Preparing for floods and water exposure (before and after)
- Preparing for bushfire smoke and ash events
- Long-term storage: best State-of-Charge (SoC), location and checks
- Emergency kit and post-event recovery steps
- FAQs
1. Preparing for extreme heat (daily use & prolonged heatwaves)
Key risks
High ambient temperatures increase HVAC load, stress battery cooling systems, can accelerate degradation and cause charge-rate tapering.
Practical steps
- Park in shade or ventilated shelter: Reduces cabin and battery heat buildup dramatically. Shade matters, especially inland and regional Australia.
- Pre-condition while plugged in: Cool cabin and stabilise battery temperature before unplugging — saves range and avoids in-use cooling drains.
- Schedule charging for cooler times: Charge overnight or early morning when ambient temperature is lower. If you must fast-charge, aim for cooler parts of the day.
- Avoid prolonged high-power DC charging during heatwaves: Where possible, prefer slower AC or staged charging sessions to reduce thermal stress.
- Monitor tyre pressure: Hot days raise tyre pressure; check and adjust to recommended levels for safety and tyre life.
- Check coolant systems: If your EV has an active battery coolant loop, confirm the service schedule and top-up during preseason checks.
Extreme heat is manageable with pre-planning and by avoiding pushing the car when temperatures peak.
2. Preparing for floods and water exposure (before and after)
Key risks
Water ingress can damage low-voltage and sometimes high-voltage components if seals are compromised. Saltwater is particularly destructive.
Before flooding
- Avoid low crossings: Don’t attempt to drive through floodwaters — even shallow water can damage connectors, rotors and sensors.
- Park on high ground if flood warnings appear: Move to higher ground before water arrives.
- Seal important items: Keep charging cables and 12V accessories off the ground and tucked away.
After flood exposure
- Do not charge or start the vehicle: Water exposure can create an electrical hazard.
- Arrange professional inspection: Contact an authorised dealer or recovery service experienced with EVs. They will perform HV isolation checks, inspect seals, battery enclosures and connectors.
- Document and photograph: For insurance and warranty claims, take photos and write times/locations of exposure.
Rapid professional assessment prevents latent damage and electrical hazards.
3. Preparing for bushfire smoke and ash events
Key risks
Smoke reduces air quality and ash can clog filters and abrasively enter HVAC intakes.
Practical steps
- Avoid driving in heavy smoke: If you must drive, set the HVAC to recirculate and increase fan speed to reduce particulate draw from outside.
- Service cabin filters after smoke events: Replace particulate filters sooner than the regular schedule to protect HVAC performance.
- Exterior care: Rinse or vacuum ash carefully; it’s abrasive and can scratch paint if rubbed when dry. Use gentle rinsing and avoid high-pressure blasting on hot paint.
Smoke and ash aren’t immediate electrical threats, but ignoring them damages cabin systems and paintwork.
4. Long-term storage: best State-of-Charge (SoC), location and checks
Ideal storage conditions
- SoC for storage: Manufacturers typically recommend storing around 40–60% SoC for lithium-ion packs for extended periods. Check your manual — exact recommendations vary.
- Location: Sheltered, dry, climate-controlled storage is best. Avoid direct sun and extreme temperature swings.
- Maintenance charging: If storage exceeds a few weeks, plan periodic top-ups to prevent deep discharge. Many EVs have “long-term storage” modes.
- Battery management: Leave the vehicle plugged into a maintainer if possible; if not, schedule weekly or monthly checks.
- Tyre care: Inflate to recommended storage pressures and, if possible, move the car periodically to avoid flat spots.
Long-term storage without battery care risks permanent capacity loss or a dead 12V battery.
5. Emergency kit and post-event recovery steps
Emergency kit
- High-visibility vest, torch, and portable phone battery pack
- Water, blankets, and basic first-aid for stranded regional trips
- Portable inflator and puncture kit for tyre issues
- Contact numbers for recovery and local dealer
Post-event recovery
- After heat: give the car a gentle cooldown (park in shade) and top-up tyre pressures.
- After flood: don’t charge or start — call an authorised professional.
- After smoke: replace cabin filter, clean vents and run HVAC on recirculate before using outside air.
Fast, appropriate action reduces long-term damage and keeps warranty claims valid.
FAQs
Q: Can I drive through shallow water in an EV?
A: No. Even shallow water can damage sensors, connectors or create short-circuits. Avoid and detour where possible.
Q: How often should I check the battery during long storage?
A: Monthly visual checks and an SoC check every 6–8 weeks is a sensible baseline; top up to the recommended SoC if levels drift.
Q: Does heat damage the battery permanently?
A: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures accelerates chemical ageing. Avoid leaving your EV hot and uncooled for long periods.
Conclusion
Preparing your EV for extremes — heat, flood, smoke and long-term storage — is largely about sensible habits: park smart, pre-condition while plugged in, follow the manufacturer’s storage SoC guidance and never attempt to drive through floodwater. For floods and high-voltage risk events, always engage authorised technicians. With a simple kit and seasonal routines you’ll protect battery health, safety and resale value while keeping your EV ready for Australia’s variable climate.
Meta description: Prepare your EV for extreme heat, floods and long-term storage with practical Aussie-focused tips: pre-conditioning, storage SoC, flood safety and post-event checks.