As a Gulf Coast resident with an Electric Vehicle (EV), you’re presented with a crucial decision before Hurricane Milton makes landfall: whether to charge your vehicle ahead of time or risk running out of juice during the storm.
Avoid parking your electric vehicle anywhere with standing water nearby. Despite being a common occurrence, numerous vehicles have indeed ended up in the water due to Hurricane Helene. However, this benefit also extends to gasoline-powered vehicles? While automobiles typically don’t fare well in contact with water, batteries have an even greater aversion to saltwater exposure.
Before Hurricane Milton arrives on Wednesday, transport your electric vehicle (EV) to a safe location that is outside of any flood zones with adequate storage. Ideally, position the vehicle in an elevated and dry area, preferably under shelter, ahead of the storm’s anticipated landfall. As Hurricane Milton bears down on the Tampa Bay region, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties are taking proactive measures by opening their garages to the general public at no cost.
If your electric vehicle (EV) becomes partially submerged in water, do not attempt to operate it. Reach out to your insurance provider and follow the manufacturer’s guidance on next steps. Here’s Tesla’s advanced underwater vehicle control system.
As you decide to stay put in the comfort of your home, safe from rising waters outside, don’t forget that your vehicle can serve as an essential energy source – its battery not withstanding. Members of the Rivian Facebook group shared several accounts last week of homeowners utilizing their electric vehicles to power refrigerators and other appliances during Hurricane Helene.
There is little to no added risk of evacuating from an electric vehicle (EV) compared to exiting a gasoline-powered car. When Uncle Bob inquires about alternative transportation options during a power outage, kindly point out that gas stations often rely on electricity as well, making them unavailable too.
Ensure that your vehicle’s battery is at least 80% charged, meticulously plan your route, and confirm that all DC Quick Chargers and/or Stage 2 charging stations along the way are operational and available for use. There shall be site visitors. Unfortunately, the sight of unhealthy individuals along I-75 has become an unfortunate reality. Vehicles powered by gasoline will consume fuel while idling in traffic. You won’t burn a dime in your electric vehicle (EV). When clearing the last site visitors, avoid pacing, lest you waste energy unnecessarily. To avoid the hassle and potential expense of a traffic violation,
Pack your portable charger along with its interchangeable adapters (Stage 1 and Stage 2), considering the additional options available at an increased cost. With a Stage 1 EV charger, users can simply plug into any standard 120-volt AC outlet, providing the flexibility to charge their vehicle anywhere – an advantage that gasoline-powered drivers can only dream of. Considering an extended stay at a resort, consider selecting one that offers on-site access to a Level 2 charger for seamless charging convenience.
Florida urged to stop dragging its feet on $198 million in federal electric vehicle charging infrastructure funds.
