Can an EV battery be damaged by potholes?

Human beings are gradually trying to move towards a more sustainable lifestyle. And, the invention of electric cars has helped us take a big leap forward in the process. Furthermore, you can find several electric vehicles in India these days. The gradual shift from nonrenewable sources of energy like fuel to renewable sources is certainly a positive approach.

But how can you maintain your car’s safety when the roads are filled with potholes? Potholes can damage the internal parts of your electric car, including your battery. So, how will you protect the EV batteries from potholes? If you want to know more about EV batteries and how you can protect them from potholes on the roads, this article is for you.

Battery in EV

The batteries in every EV are almost the same. They get built with similar technology but with different capacities. All the cells get organized in a single battery or cell to make an EV battery. The weight of the batteries depends on the capacity of your electric vehicle. Furthermore, because of its heavy weight, the EV batteries are often placed at the bottom of the car. Also, known as the skateboard configuration, the batteries get secured inside the car’s chassis.

As the name suggests, these EV batteries must be charged with electric power. You can find different types of batteries in the market including –

• Lithium-Ion batteries
• Nickel Metal Hydride batteries
• Solid-state batteries
• Lead-acid batteries
• Ultracapacitors

The battery in your vehicle depends on the speed, payload, wind, and tire transaction of the vehicle. Likewise, some batteries are meant for heavy cars and some are specifically made for better speed. But, lithium-ion batteries are undoubtedly the best EV batteries on the market.

But, lithium-ion batteries can cost a lot. Instead, nickel-metal batteries and lead-acid batteries are muchly affordable. Furthermore, they are also eco-friendly, low maintenance, have a high energy density, and have a high self-discharge rate.

How potholes can damage your EV?

Potholes can damage several things in your EV. Some of them are –

Batteries – Batteries are an important part of electric vehicles. As the name suggests, these cars do not run on fuel, but on electric power-charged batteries. These batteries are very heavy weighted and placed at the lower part of the vehicle. This makes it prone to easy damage.

Furthermore, the Indian roads are filled with potholes. Once your vehicle drops into a pothole, it might hot the Ev battery of your vehicle situated below. Try to drive slowly and avoid potholes as much as you can.

Tires – Another part of the vehicle that gets damaged due to potholes is the tire. Your car might get a major pothole shock when you are traveling at high speed. And damaged tires can create a lot of our issues in your vehicle. Furthermore, a major pothole can break the bolts that are holding the tire. On top of that, the tire can also get punctured easily.

Wheels – Not only your tire, but potholes could also seriously damage your wheels. Sometimes the wheels might get scratched. But, a major pothole could damage the wheel of your car completely. The only way to fix it would be to replace it completely.

Body – A pothole can also damage the bodywork of your vehicle. When the wheel drops in a pothole, the batteries, but also the bumper, the side skirts can easily get damaged. Furthermore, not only minor dents, but they could also damage some important parts of your vehicle.

Tips to Save EV Battery Damage from Potholes

Underfloor Protection – The electric vehicle batteries are often protected by an underfloor protection cover. Furthermore. The battery gets secured inside the protection box. If your car falls into a small pothole, the battery will not get damaged. But if the underfloor protection gets hurt badly, you must get it checked at once. You will not be able to determine the damage. Only a professional can understand what needs to be done next. Checking the battery beforehand will also help you from avoiding the risk of fire.

Drive slowly – You can easily protect your EV battery from getting damaged due to potholes by driving slowly. Furthermore, when you drive slowly, you have much control over the vehicle and can press the brake whenever necessary. The pothole shock will also be much lesser when the car is running at a slower speed.

Stay focused on the road – While driving, always keep your focus on the road. Do not use cell phones, eat, or try to find something in the car while driving. Then you can see the pothole from a distance. This will give you the time to slow down your car or avoid the pothole completely.

Potholes can not only damage your EV batteries, but also the tolls in a normal car. Especially in India, the roads are filled with potholes, so electric vehicles in India are more prone to damage. But when driven carefully, you can keep your car safe.

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