Jump-Starting an EV

Jumper Cables

At Suntrup Automotive Group, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of new and pre-owned hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) in all shapes and sizes. EVs used to be niche, expensive, and hard-to-find, but these days, they’re more available and affordable than ever! Whether you’re looking for a two-door convertible, a family-friendly SUV, or even a heavy-duty pickup truck, you’ll be able to find a hybrid or electric model from the most popular automakers.

If you drive an electric car on the St. Louis roads and find that the battery won’t start one day, you may be wondering, “Can you jump-start an EV the way you can jump-start a gasoline vehicle?” The short answer is yes! As long as your EV is powered by a 12-volt battery, you should be able to jump-start it with the help of another vehicle. The service team at Suntrup Automotive Group has more details on the process of an EV jump-start in the guide below, so check it out!

How to Perform an EV Jump-Start

Before attempting an EV jump-start, there are some things to keep in mind. First of all, EVs run on two batteries: a large lithium-ion battery that powers the motor, and a smaller 12-volt battery that powers things like the headlights and the infotainment system. 

You can’t jump-start the lithium-ion battery pack, and it’s very dangerous to try. Instead, you should only try to jump-start the 12-volt battery. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll be good to go:

  1. Park both vehicles close to each other so that the jumper cables can reach the jumping points easily.
  2. With both cars off, connect the red clamp on the jumper cable to the positive terminal on the EV.
  3. Connect the other red clamp to the positive terminal on the vehicle with the working battery.
  4. The black clamp on the jumper cable should now be attached to the negative terminal on the vehicle with the working battery.
  5. The final black clamp should be connected to an unpainted metal surface on the EV to ground the connection.
  6. Start the vehicle with the good battery.
  7. After a few minutes, start the EV.

Can You Jump-Start a Car With an EV?

The next question we often get from St. Charles drivers is, “Can you jump-start a car with an EV?” Unfortunately, the short answer is no. If you try to use your electric vehicle to jump-start the dead battery of another car, you can risk serious damage to your vehicle. If you own an EV and see that someone else needs a jump-start, we recommend you schedule a service appointment with Suntrup Automotive Group in St. Louis or call a roadside assistance service to get them some help.

Keep Your EV in Top Condition With Suntrup Automotive Group!

If you have any questions about jump-starting an EV or other EV services, feel free to contact our office! You can also stop by our dealership to talk to a member of our team in person about the services we offer at Suntrup Automotive Group. We’re conveniently located near Fenton, so visit us any time you please!

 

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5926 S. Lindbergh Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63123
Suntrup Automotive Group 38.5214964, -90.3451239.