The 12-volt batteries on some new electric car models are draining or dying unexpectedly, resulting in regulatory investigations and an uptick in owner complaints.
Hyundai, Rivian, and Cadillac are among the car brands affected by the battery deficiency that has bested some EVs in recent years, including brand new ones. However, the problem isn’t the main battery that powers the vehicle; the glitch lies with the smaller 12-volt battery that fuels the interior lighting and other electronic features that are supposed to last between three to six years, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The smaller batteries that are depleting the electric vehicles’ power are “almost always on,” an S&P Global Mobility analyst told the outlet.
For Rivian Automotive, the problem was caused by a software problem in which a sensor was failing to signal to the main battery that it was supposed to be charging the smaller battery while the car was on. The California-based EV producer solved the hiccup by updating the vehicle’s software.
Similarly, Cadillac’s battery problem came from a software glitch that left the battery on even after the vehicle was turned off, leading dealers to reprogram the component after several customers complained about the 12-volt battery dying.
Because the battery snags could present safety hazards causing the car battery to die while driving, U.S. auto safety regulators are reportedly investigating certain Kia EV6s and Ioniq 5s.
Transitioning to a higher-voltage system would be difficult because it would force EV manufacturers to seek out suppliers that make specialized parts capable of handling that higher voltage, Bob Galyen, a battery consultant, told the outlet.
Tesla was also disgruntled by the outdated smaller battery, leading them to create the new Cybertruck using a 48-volt battery, with company CEO Elon Musk urging other EV companies to pursue the new technology in an effort to rid the vehicles of battery problems.
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Recent EV battery problems come as President Joe Biden has stressed the need for EV adoption as a greener alternative to gas-powered vehicles. Still, a great number of consumers remain hesitant to make the switch, citing high prices, reliability, and charging access as reasons for their doubts.
Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a new requirement for automakers to transition 70% of new cars and trucks to have no tailpipe emissions by 2032. After backlash from the automotive industry, the Biden administration loosened the rule by allowing a more gradual transition ahead of 2030.
