But if your EV already has a massive battery, why does it also need a 12v battery?

What Does the 12v Battery on the Electric Vehicle Do?

After all, this would remove the clunky 12v battery from the car, making it lighter.

Open hood of an Toyota Ev

Image Credit: Toyota UK/Flickr

Why Can’t the 12v battery on an EV Be Replaced?

There are several reasons why the 12v battery on your EV can’t be replaced.

That said, what happens when the battery on your vehicle fails?

Open hood on a Chevrolet Volt

Image Credit: Scarlet Sappho/Flickr

What Happens When the 12v Battery on Your Electric Vehicle Gives Up?

How Is the 12v Battery on Your Electric Vehicle Charged?

Unlike a vehicle powered by an ICE, anelectric vehicle does not have an alternator.

12v_battery_on_ev-102

This raises the question of how the 12v battery on an EV is charged.

Well, the lithium-ion battery charges the 12v battery using DC-DC converters.

This voltage is then used to charge the battery while the electric vehicle runs.

BMW 530e plug-in hybrid plugged in and charging

Will Lithium-Ion Batteries Replace 12v Lead-Acid Batteries?

Just like conventional vehicles, most electric vehicles also use lead-acid batteries.

This change in battery technology for electric vehicles is due to two reasons.

image of a Nissan Leaf battery pack

Image Credit: Tennen Gas/Wikimedia Commons

Are 12v Batteries Here to Stay?