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The tools needed to boost an EV

Like any vehicle, all you need to boost an EV is a set of jumper cables and a second battery. This can be a portable booster pack or another vehicle.

If you’re using another vehicle, it cannot be another EV. An EV’s 12-volt charging points are for jumpstarting itself only, not another vehicle. Using two EVs in a jumpstart can damage the battery, software, and other components.

Your assisting vehicle must have a 12-volt battery with a negative ground system, which is common in most cars with an internal combustion engine (ICE).

Whatever vehicle you drive, it’s wise to keep a portable booster pack in your trunk in case you can’t find another vehicle to boost you.

To stay safe, wear protective eyewear and gloves when doing your jumpstart. Also, stay clear of any bright orange cables – the colour tells you that high-voltage electricity is running through them.

Steps to boost an EV

Follow these steps to boost your EV’s battery.

Locate the battery

All EVs have two batteries: one responsible for the drive and a 12-volt battery responsible for starting, central locking, interior lights, etc. The 12-volt battery is the only you want to boost if your car won’t start.

Finding the 12-volt battery in an EV can be a bit of a puzzle. Instead of under the hood, some EVs store their battery in the trunk, under the rear seat, beneath the cargo floor, or elsewhere in the cabin. Your owner’s manual will list the exact location of this battery.

Set everything up

Once you’ve found the battery, line your EV up with your assisting vehicle. They should be close enough for the jump cables to reach each battery, but the cars should not be touching.

Put both vehicles in park (with the parking brake on) and turn off all accessories.

Connecting the cables

Attach the jumper cables in this exact order:

  1. Connect red (+) clamp to EV.
  2. Connect red (+) clamp to assisting car.
  3. Connect black (-) clamp to assisting car.
  4. Connect black (-) clamp to EV.

Take your time to ensure you’ve got the right connection. Incorrectly attaching the jumper cables can lead to a blown fuse and potential injury if the battery explodes.

Your owner’s manual will also list these steps if you need further guidance.

Start up

Turn on the assisting vehicle and let it run for a few minutes.

Then, turn on your EV. It should start right away. Let it run for several minutes while still connected to the assisting vehicle.

Detach the cables

Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order you attached them:

  1. Disconnect black (-) clamp from EV.
  2. Disconnect black (-) clamp from assisting car.
  3. Disconnect red (+) clamp from assisting car.
  4. Disconnect red (+) clamp from EV.

As you do this, don’t let the clamps touch each other.

Let the EV run

After the boost, let your EV run for at least 20 minutes. You can drive during this time, just don’t turn the car off by accident.

When to seek assistance

If your battery is dying often, it may be time for a replacement. If your jumpstart is unsuccessful, call for roadside assistance to get your EV professionally serviced.

For any questions on boosting or caring for your EV’s battery, visit a NexDrive service centre to speak with an expert.