With electric cars becoming more popular these days, drivers now have a whole new set of dashboard warning lights that they need to get familiar with. One of these is the battery charge level warning light, which is designed to let you know when you need to take your EV to a charging station to get more juice in the battery.
Why is My Battery Charge Level Warning Light On?
Similar to how your laptop or smartphone will let you know if the battery level reaches a certain low point, your EV will also tell you when there’s not much power left in the battery. This warning light comes on when your battery reaches a certain level and is there to let you know that you are going to need to find somewhere to charge the car soon.
What is the Battery Charge Level Warning Light?
The battery charge level warning light is the electric car equivalent of the low fuel warning light in a petrol or diesel car. When the battery charge level warning light switches on, it’s to let you know that you still have some power left in the battery, but not a lot. When this light comes on, EV drivers should get to the nearest place to charge their car otherwise they will risk running out of battery power completely.
What Does it Mean When the Battery Charge Level Warning Light is Flashing?
The battery charge level warning light might flash when the battery reaches critically low levels. Just like your iPhone battery gauge turns red when you get below 10% power, your car is letting you know that if you don’t do something quickly, the vehicle’s battery will die, and you will not be able to continue driving.
How Does the Battery Charge Level Warning Light Work?
The battery charge level warning light is part of an alert system to let you know what is happening with the battery on your electric vehicle. The light will show up on the dashboard when you do not have a lot of battery power left and should be switched off once you have charged the battery. In some cases, this light might be illuminated even after you have fully charged the battery. This might point to an issue with the battery, charging port, charger, or other electrical faults, and should be inspected by a professional who can troubleshoot the issue.
What are the Common Reasons the Battery Charge Level Warning Light Will Come On?
The battery charge level warning light will usually come on for one reason; to let you know that your battery power levels are very low. Usually, this light is programmed to come on automatically when your battery power reaches a certain percentage. There will usually be some battery power left, however, this is simply to give you time to get to somewhere that you can charge the car.
Is it Dangerous to Drive With My Battery Charge Level Warning Light On?
It is not dangerous to drive when the battery charge level warning light is on. However, you should use the remaining power to get your car to a charging station. The good news is that the UK now has more and more electric vehicle charging points in car parks, petrol stations, and service stations that you can use. When your electric car is running out of battery and this warning light switches on, you may also find that your car goes into an energy-saving mode. For example, you may no longer be able to use certain features that use up a lot of electricity such as air conditioning, listening to the radio, or charging your devices from the car’s port. Even if your car does not have an energy-saving mode to preserve the rest of the battery, you can prolong the amount of time that you have until the battery has been completely used up by avoiding using other unnecessary features that will waste electricity until you can get your car to a charging port.
How Much Does it Cost to Fix the Battery Charge Level Warning Light?
Most of the time, all you need to do is plug the car into a charger to turn off the battery charge level warning light. This could be free or you may pay a small fee depending on where you charge your car. If you’re charging your car at home then it’ll only cost you the standard rate for your home electricity.
On the other hand, a battery charge level warning light that comes on when the battery has power is not turning on when the battery is low or has another fault, will need to be checked over by an electric vehicle specialist. Book a diagnostic test for your car if you need to find out more about why this light is not turning on when it should or why it is turning on when it is not needed. The cost of the repair will depend on the specific issue behind it.
Will My Car Fail its MOT if the Battery Charge Level Warning Light is On?
Like all cars, electric vehicles are not immune from the MOT. After the EV turns three years old, it is legally required to have an MOT each year to ensure that it remains safe and roadworthy. Since electric vehicles have different components and systems compared to petrol and diesel cars, the MOT is slightly different. The examiner will look out for certain warning lights on the dashboard. While the battery charge level warning light is not usually a reason for the car to fail the MOT, bear in mind that if your car loses power throughout the test, it is likely going to need to be re-tested since the examiner will not be able to check everything. To avoid this, don’t take your electric car for an MOT if the battery charge level warning light is on. You should make sure that the battery is fully charged in time for the test.
About Fixter
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