We all know that ICEs—gasoline and diesel alike—are prone to overheating. Do electric vehicles get overheated? The answer is yes. However, it's usually not as extreme as regular ICE vehicles. There are ways to control the problem if it does happen. We've put together some information and a few tips to control the temperature of your EV batteries.

Can Electric Cars Overheat?

Not in the same way that non-electric vehicles do. Unlike ICE vehicles, purely electric vehicles come with one or more electric motors. Most electric vehicles come with a small cooling system that works to keep the motor cool. The cooling system ensures heavy acceleration generates only a small amount of heat, hence it does not get problematic. However, not all EVs contain a cooling system, and not all cooling systems are effective.

How to control the temperature?

Most current and proposed EV designs are liquid-cooled. Water-glycol systems are popular. They circulate coolant through an arrangement of pipes to cool the battery in a way that's similar to how the engine is cooled. EV batteries can also be cooled using air cooling, but liquid cooling is considered more effective. To prevent any overheating situation, always pay attention to your EV's readouts to ensure that all systems are operational. Update the cooling system if necessary. Batteries with no thermal management systems tend to have poor life spans due to increased thermal pressure. 

We also need to be mindful of the temperature outside. Extreme temperatures can have a harsh effect on the battery when its charge is low and the vehicle isn't plugged in. Preconditioning helps you plan for any extreme weather conditions so your EV will run at the optimal temperature when you're ready to get on the road.