How to Ride an EV In The Rains? Fearlessly and without being Anxious, I would say!

Fearlessly and without being Anxious, I would say!

The Monsoon season is right around the corner. So are puddles of water, slippery road,s and non-stop drizzles. Commuting gets tougher than ever as the mighty clouds shower their generosity upon the earth. Navigating around potholes with foggy eyes, wet clothes and pitter-patter taps on the body is an adventure daily commuters go through every day.

One can’t escape the rains nor can’t they excuse daily commute to work. What one can definitely do is be smart and careful about riding during the monsoon.

In the case of EVs, a lot of skeptics have concerns about its safety during the rain. The answer is, they are as safe as the regular ICE vehicles but EVs have an advantage that they don’t have tail pipes and hence no water can go inside and damage the internal anatomy. You will be surprised to find that EVs are in fact more resilient than one may think.

First thing first,

Can you charge EVs during the rain?

The answer is yes. EVs are in fact engineered in a way that it can withstand rain. The charging equipment are waterproof and insulated to prevent damage caused by rain. However, one is always recommended to try charging the vehicle in a covered area. The IP rating of EVs indicate protection against two elements – Dust and Water. The higher the number, the better is the protection. Modern-day Electric vehicle batteries have an IP67 rating.

Since electric cars are fairly new in the market, the apprehension about its safety during the rain is relatively more than for traditional vehicles. However, it is a misconception owing to lack of awareness that electric vehicles are unsafe to ride during the rains. Because water is a bad conductor of electricity, people often decipher that this makes electric vehicles unsafe. But the fact is they are more than safe in rain and even during lightning and thunderstorms. The charging system of EVs are shock-resistant to weather such extreme conditions.

Safety features of EV battery:

a.Weather-proof – Batteries are engineered in a way that they are protected from water and dust

b.Storage: Encased in sealed container to prevent contact with water and other elements.

c.IP rating: EV electrical components -motor, speed controller and battery, are ideally rated IP66 or better. A 6 for water entry means ‘protected against strong jets of water’.

d.Ground fault detection system – The system monitors the strict isolation of metal vehicle body from the high voltage system and in case of any connection detected, the ground-fault system will shut-off the electrical supply to the high voltage components.

Challenges during a rainy ride

Before you embark on a journey in the rain on your bike, make sure you brace yourself for the slippery conditions you may find yourself in. Rains leave the road wet and slippery that affects the friction between the surface of the road and the tires which in turn may sway your balance. It is important to be alert about the condition so that you can maneuver through the road safe and sound.

Reduced Friction: Rain leaves oily residuals on the road that makes the ground slippery and moist, impacting the friction between the road and the tires. If you catch a heavy rainfall while on the road, wait for some time for the rain to wash off the oil before you can continue riding.

Hydroplaning: Sometimes due to very heavy rainfall, the tires of your vehicle may lose contact with the pavement and ride on a thin surface of water, sometimes causing one to lose control. This is known as hydroplaning. To avoid hydroplaning, maintain a neutral speed and avoid abrupt changes.

Reduced visibility: This is but obvious that your visibility is affected due to heavy downpour. Your goggles and windshield become foggy compromising your visibility.

Braking: Wet road condition is quite different from dry road condition. Knowing how and when to brake is extremely crucial to prevent the vehicle from skidding. One should take extra care during the turns and always avoid driving over puddles. 

Your checklist before you take your EV on the road –

Tires: Check if your tires have proper pressure and are sufficiently inflated or not.

Charge: Make sure your batteries are charged to the optimum so that you are not stranded on the road.

Batteries: Check for any leaks in the battery packs to prevent mishaps on the road.

Brakes: As the roads are going to be wet, brakes need to be more than efficiently functional. Look for any wear and tear before you take your vehicle out. 

Gear up for a rainy ride –

Not to rain on your parade, pun intended, but a rainy ride is inherently a risqué one, no matter how adventurous it may seem like. While it is highly advised that one gets a thorough check of their vehicle before it is taken out on the road, it is also suggested that you dress up for the occasion as well.

Waterproof clothing: No matter how fatuous one may seem, raincoat is your dear friend in situations like this. If not, always wear water-resistant jackets with a tight cinch at the cuffs. It’s important to keep yourself warm and dry so as to not lose focus from the road.

Goggles & boots: Goggles with a side cover is the best protection from water during the rainy season (if you’re not wearing a full-cover helmet). Also wear solid boots to avoid penetration of water into your feet. Comfort is the best precaution you can take during a rainy ride.

Anti-fogging remedies: It is high chance that your goggles or windshields (in the case of cars) may get foggy due to excessive moisture. Before you get out, wipe the goggle surfaces with an anti-fogging treatment.

As more and more technology is progressing, rigorous research is being done to make rides in the rain safer and protected. Electric Vehicles, in fact, are tested on multiple levels to meet standard safety criteria before they are led out in the market. The risks are evaluated in terms of short-circuit, explosion, danger due to chemical reactions, leakage, thermal runway risk, and any other mechanical risk so as to increase its appetite for versatile weather conditions. Rain or not, it is always a best practice test, evaluate and then ride for a smooth experience.

Just Getting Started

Rahul Thakur