This power blackout could happen to you when you desperately need to charge your Electric Vehicle
Earlier today, at the Johor Premium Outlet (JB) there was a power blackout for about 10 minutes (luckily just a 10 minutes and not a few hours) and the drivers and passengers of electric vehicles getting their battery charged for the drive back to Klang Valley had the best anxiety experience first hand.
During a power blackout, your electric vehicle’s (EV’s) ability to get its battery charged for you to continue your journey depends on whether the power grid is down or is it a software issue at the charging station.
If the power grid is down, you will need to rely on your EV’s available battery power to get you to a new EV charging location with functioning charging infrastructure.
Just imagine, if your smartphone battery is low and you were charging it up at a public power socket, you could still opt for a power bank to get juice.
But with any EV, the ‘mobile power bank’ has to come to you.
You will need the services of EV Connection (EVC), who have Malaysia’s first Mobile Charging Vehicle which utilises repurposed EV batteries. This is an EV “powerbank” on wheels that can offer DC fast charging for stranded electric vehicles.
Then there is P.UP EV Charging Concierge which started operations in Penang and they are in the process of expanding their DC charging services to Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur.
You also have Gentari EV Charge Go who can come and rescue you.
However, the best emergency EV battery charging service comes from Allianz insurance and it is called Allianz EV Shield which provides a 15 minute charge-up for the EV owner to get to the next working DC fast charging station for a full juice up.
Here’s a more detailed look at how to handle a blackout while on a trip:
If the EV is charging:
- 1. Check if charging is still happening:
You may need to manually stop the charging process.
- 2. Locate charging stations:
Use apps or your EV’s navigation system to identify nearby charging stations that are still operational during the blackout.
- 3. Monitor battery levels:
Continuously monitor the EV’s battery to ensure you can reach the charging station or a location with alternative power options.
- 4. Communicate with others:
Let family and friends know about the situation and your plan to continue the journey.
If your EV is not charging:
1. Check battery levels:
Ensure the EV has enough charge to travel to a location with charging infrastructure or alternative power sources.
2. Identify potential charging stations:
Use navigation systems or EV apps to pinpoint the closest charging stations.
3. Plan your route:
Factor in the EV’s range and the availability of charging stations to ensure you can complete the trip.
4. Be prepared:
Have charging cables and adapters, if necessary, and make sure you know how to use the EV’s vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature, if available.
5. Monitor battery usage:
Be mindful of your power consumption and plan your route accordingly.
