EVs And Rain - The Ultimate Guide

Aboard, the season of showers, bestowed upon us by the rain Gods. The monsoon season has begun, and so is the daily dose of soaked-up arrivals to the final destination after enthralling the sight of rains upon the blessed two-wheelers.?

Rain is a tricky season for riders, who are especially more accursed to the heavenly showers. Wet roads, potholes, slimy floors, and unsteady ground call for a very careful journey, speculative of a well-examined functioning of the vehicle before hitting the roads. It is no less of a complication for 4-wheeler drivers too. ICE vehicle owners are also averse to the risk of water damage from entering the tailpipes.?

This is where EV owners need to rejoice! The risk of water entering the vehicle is close to NIL since EVs don’t have tailpipes, which can cause water to enter the vehicle and play with the internal anatomy.?

Now addressing the elephant in the room.

Are EVs safe in the rain?

EVs are built for extreme weather conditions and are safe from water, dust, and heat. Most importantly it is crucial to understand that the majority of EVs are manufactured with IP 67 rating, which determines their safety from not only dust but also water. Which makes them very much safe and reliable to drive/ ride during rains.

Ingress protection rating is applied to most daily electrical appliances we use such as electrical sockets, kitchen appliances, and smartphones to name a few. What's interesting to note is that the second number in the IP rating is related to protection against water and liquids, with 8 being the highest protection standard, applicable for submarines that can withstand being underwater for a long period of time.

Since EVs are fairly new to the market as compared to their ICE counterparts, it is a common misconception that EVs are unsafe during rains, since water is a bad conductor for electricity. But, not only are they extremely safe against rains, but they are also resistant to lightning and thunder.?

Can EVs be charged during rains?

Absolutely yes. Although it is recommended to charge your EVs under a covered area, it is still very safe to charge in rain. However, it is very much recommended to charge only using a certified EVSE, rather than a smart socket.

EVSEs (electric vehicle supply equipment) are designed to be waterproof and come with safety standards that prevent any mishap from occurring while charging your EV. Moreover, the charging stations are tested to withstand snow, hail, and storm amongst other extreme climate conditions, voltage fluctuations, short circuits, and ground faults.?

That being said, a smart socket does not provide the guarantee or safety feature that an EVSE brings to the table, as it is as good as a regular wall socket, which can damage the vehicle in case of a short circuit or voltage issue.?

Rains are as harmless as a dove, which holds true even in the case of an electric vehicle. We truly give a thumbs up and wish you an anxiety-free and happy journey in the rain. After all, there is no fun without a nice long drive during monsoons.?