BMW and Tesla, the electric cars most likely to suffer critical failures due to heat

Electric cars offer many advantages over combustion models. They don't emit harmful gases, they're much quieter, acceleration is immediate... but traditional models still have one advantage: resistance to extreme temperatures.

Whether it's too cold or too hot, zero-emission vehicles suffer and their performance decreases, often with significantly lower ranges than originally approved.

Constant exposure to high temperatures rapidly degrades internal battery cells, reducing battery life and increasing the risk of serious failures. Cooling systems work beyond their normal capacity, increasing the possibility of failures due to overheating.

And electronic systems, when overheated, are vulnerable to extreme heat and can cause errors and malfunctions in vehicle operation.

Carly, a company specializing in fault diagnosis, has compiled a ranking of critical faults in electric models from various brands. BMW is in first place, with 73%. It is followed by Tesla (67.4%) and Audi (61%).

Following them are Mini (53.8%), also part of the BMW Group, and, just below 50%, Skoda (45.9%), Volkswagen (44.9%), and Seat (38.7%). The brand that fared best in the ranking was Peugeot, with 2%.

To avoid these critical failures, it's important to avoid heat as much as possible. Therefore, it's important to park in the shade, avoid rapid charging on extremely hot days because it will affect battery performance, and, when recharging, avoid reaching 100% of the battery's capacity.

Many electric cars feature a battery preconditioning feature to ensure the battery is at an optimal temperature before charging. This makes the battery less aggressive and prolongs its lifespan.

Additionally, several models can turn on their cabin climate control. Doing so while the battery is charging will save energy for acclimatizing the vehicle while driving and will prevent stress on the system.

According to Paola Nosthas, Carly's Spanish market director, "preventive maintenance is no longer a luxury, but a necessity that can prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensure a trouble-free summer on the road."