The Business Bytes
Vehicles require special care during monsoons, and electric vehicles (EVs) are no different. While EVs are becoming increasingly popular for their green credentials and low running costs, they require proper maintenance during the monsoon season to run smoothly. For EV owners, the monsoon poses several challenges. Thus, it is vital to understand the potential risks and take necessary precautions to ensure the reliability and performance of an EV in rainy months. If you are an EV owner, here is what you should keep in mind:
Pre-Monsoon Preparation for EVs
Before the arrival of the monsoon, you must ensure that an authorized workshop checks the vehicle for any damages to the battery or motor casing. Any minor crack in the external case should be taken care of to prevent flood/rainwater from entering it, which otherwise can cause irreparable damage. If there are any warning signs on the vehicle’s instrument cluster, make sure to have it checked by the workshop to avoid possible exaggeration of the damages.
Charging and Maintenance Tips for Monsoon
Charging of EV batteries should also be done with extra care during monsoon. If you need to charge your EV when it is raining, ensure to do so in a well-covered and dry area. Before plugging your EV for charging, the best practice is to visually check its charging pin and port to see if they are dry or not to avoid short circuits. You should also take note of rodent bites on charging cables and plastic parts of the car during monsoon. Charging with damaged cables can cause short circuits and severe and expensive damage to the batteries. It is important to note that high-voltage Li-Ion EV batteries are non-repairable and need to be replaced as a whole assembly in case of any physical damage.
To avoid any rodent infestation around your parking area, use rat repellent sprays on exposed wires in your EV, attach ultrasonic rat repellents that scare away the rats, and use rat repellent kits by tying them to wiring harnesses at multiple locations.
Driving Precautions During Monsoon
During the monsoon, avoid driving through puddles or waterlogged roads and parking in low-lying areas. This will help to protect electrical parts from potential damage and limit exposure of the battery to moisture. Be mindful not to drive the EV on Low Battery charge repeatedly for prolonged periods, as this can degrade the cell condition of the batteries and may leave you stranded. If an EV is flooded, there are chances that the water has leaked inside the battery assembly. In this case, if the vehicle ignition is turned on, it can create electrical faults in the system. In such situations, towing the vehicle to an authorized workshop for further inspection is best.
Ways to enhance protection for your EV
Motor insurance is a must-have for EVs, not only for protection during monsoons but also all year round. Having comprehensive motor insurance can provide coverage against third parties, own damages, and even personal accidents. The third-party component of the motor insurance can financially cover you in the event of a third party sustaining a bodily/death or property loss due to a traffic accident, EV battery catching fire, or other causes. The own damage component protects you against damage to your vehicle from collisions, flooding, and any other external factors. The Personal Accident cover will compensate you (owner/driver) for bodily injuries, death, or any permanent disabilities caused due to an accident in connection with the insured vehicle.
Select add-on covers, like Nil Depreciation Cover, Return to Invoice cover,and Consumables Protection cover, which will give additional protection for your EV and complete peace of mind such as. Nil Depreciation Cover will reimburse the entire replacement cost without deducting the depreciation amount. Return to Invoice cover gives financial protection to car owners against complete loss of vehicle and helps claim the on-road price of the car. And Consumables Protection add-on covers the cost of parts that may need changing due to overuse, such as engine oil, brake fluid, nuts, bolts, etc.
Certain special add-ons for an EV can provide an extra layer of protection. Many risk factors, for example – electricity fluctuation, fluid ingression etc. that may damage the battery and/or the electric motor are not covered by a comprehensive cover. Also, EV charger assembly may require protection from any kind of accidental damage. Opting for EV specific add-ons such as EV Charger Cover and EV Battery Cover will protect you against such damages.
Ensuring protection through a comprehensive insurance cover and useful add-ons will save you from burning a big hole in your pocket, especially during the monsoon, as any damage to an EV can be costly.
As an EV owner, you should take all necessary precautions during monsoons to reduce the risk of damage or accident. Following these steps can ensure a safe and hassle-free experience with your electric vehicle.
(The author is the CEO of Reliance General Insurance)
