Hurricane Preparation: Charging Your EV Before the Storm

July 29, 2024

Written by Sable Alonso

Electric vehicle charging is an important task that requires some planning. EVs don’t need to be charging all of the time, but it is wise to prepare for situations or trips ahead of time, especially when there is a risk of a hurricane in the area or other severe weather phenomenons. It’s good practice to charge your EV ahead of time, making sure your vehicle is fully charged before a storm hits Virginia; severe weather strikes quick and can cut off access to power in a heartbeat, so preparing well before a storm hits is necessary to be certain that you and your vehicle are prepared in case of emergency.

Charging before a storm is important because electric vehicles can be a tremendous tool in the event of lost power. Many newer EVs have power-out vehicles to load like the F150, Hyundai, and Kia models, while others can often attach inverters to their 12v batteries. By charging before the storm, these EVs can help power appliances like WiFi, Fridges, and AC units for critical periods after a storm or days in case of extended power outages. This time frame can even be extended with trips to a local working fast charger as these chargers run separate from the main power grid.

Charging your EV before a storm hits is an important step in hurricane and severe weather preparation. Be ahead of the storm and be prepared like these EV-owners that shared their 2024 experiences utilizing their EVs by powering some refrigerators on social media.