does the battery charge decline any in long-term parking- like 6+ days?

[Ken]

I go camping at least once a year for a week or more away from the vehicle, and my current vehicle sits there with half a tank of gas with no issues. Do EVs lose any significant charge while sitting long-term? I can probably find a way to bring an extension cord and trickle charge at level 1 for the week, but if that's not possible should I plan on driving to a charger mid week to top off?

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[Maquis]

I go camping at least once a year for a week or more away from the vehicle, and my current vehicle sits there with half a tank of gas with no issues. Do EVs lose any significant charge while sitting long-term? I can probably find a way to bring an extension cord and trickle charge at level 1 for the week, but if that's not possible should I plan on driving to a charger mid week to top off?

Not a problem. Ford doesn’t even mention doing anything regarding storing a vehicle until you get beyond 30 days.

 

[jefro]

It could run down a bit in extreme weather. Battery will be conditioned in very cold and maybe very hot temperatures.
I leave my EV's parked at airport parking once in a while. (they have evse's there if someone doesn't unplug it)

 

[RickLightning]

I go camping at least once a year for a week or more away from the vehicle, and my current vehicle sits there with half a tank of gas with no issues. Do EVs lose any significant charge while sitting long-term? I can probably find a way to bring an extension cord and trickle charge at level 1 for the week, but if that's not possible should I plan on driving to a charger mid week to top off?

You asked two different questions.

1) Do EVs lose significant charge sitting for a week or so camping? No.

2) Do EVs lose significant charge while sitting long-term? Maybe. As noted, in very hot or very cold weather, the EV may cool or heat the battery while sitting. But "significant"? No, unless you leave it for months and months. But you shouldn't park with a 5% SOC and leave it sit for any period.

The HVB will charge the LVB while it's sitting, and that can use up some small amount of charge. The LVB runs modules that use some power, very similar to how people find that driving a ICE F-150 only every month or so can run down the 12v battery. The EV charges that battery whereas an ICE F-150 has no way to do that when sitting.

 

[metroshot]

You asked two different questions.

1) Do EVs lose significant charge sitting for a week or so camping? No.

2) Do EVs lose significant charge while sitting long-term? Maybe. As noted, in very hot or very cold weather, the EV may cool or heat the battery while sitting. But "significant"? No, unless you leave it for months and months. But you shouldn't park with a 5% SOC and leave it sit for any period.

The HVB will charge the LVB while it's sitting, and that can use up some small amount of charge. The LVB runs modules that use some power, very similar to how people find that driving a ICE F-150 only every month or so can run down the 12v battery. The EV charges that battery whereas an ICE F-150 has no way to do that when sitting.

Correct, very negligible loss of battery power!

When I have left my PHEV parked for over a month, the EV battery still retains about 90% of the charge.

I'd worry more about my 4 year old 12V lead acid battery in my PHEV not able to hold a charge after a month....

 

[jefro]

Oh, there are reports on the Bolt EV sites where the 12V will actually run down and cause issues even though HV battery has enough power.

 

[REDHORSECA]

For a week, no problems.

For long term, I would just get a windshield mounted solar cell AGM trickle charger. Just as I do with my ICE F-150.

 

[jefro]

And don't put it in a lighter port.

 

[nightowl]

Agree with the probably not, but there are many things we won't know about the Lightning until there is a wide enough release and owner reporting of these variables, especially in very hot and cold climates with vehicles stored outdoors.

Things that cause "phantom drain", i.e. loss of battery capacity when parked; as others have mentioned and a few others....

Outside temperature -software will condition to keep the battery safe from degradation but excessive cold or heat can affect usable range upon return use.

Any plugged in or wired in accessories may cause drain; leaving a interior light on is common example in all vehicles.

Use and type of security systems are another draw, e.g., Tesla using the all camera security option has a big draw on power, which it sounds like the similar Ford "canopy" should be expected to do the same. Tesla will prevent the use of, or terminate use at the 20% state of charge. Things applies to my gas pickup with camera based security as well, requiring a trickle charger to prevent 12v battery degradation.

Frequency of remote application queries probably will prevent a deep electronic sleep condition.

Pending OTA (over the air) software upgrades, do on Teslas, cause additional drain, and if remotely approved, do use some additional power.

Every manufacturer and each product will have to be discovered variables. This forum would make a great place to catalog the experiences.

I wouldn't long term park any electric vehicle at lower than 30% state of charge, preferably much more, based on the aforementioned. I would anticipate at least 1% loss per day until we have more data.

 

[RickLightning]

For a week, no problems.

For long term, I would just get a windshield mounted solar cell AGM trickle charger. Just as I do with my ICE F-150.

Doesn't address the issue the OP inquired about, which is the state of charge in the EV battery, not the 12v. And, since the 12v is charged by the EV battery, a trickle charger is unnecessary.

 

[RonTCat]

I go camping at least once a year for a week or more away from the vehicle, and my current vehicle sits there with half a tank of gas with no issues. Do EVs lose any significant charge while sitting long-term? I can probably find a way to bring an extension cord and trickle charge at level 1 for the week, but if that's not possible should I plan on driving to a charger mid week to top off?

You might lose 1% in a week.

 

[REDHORSECA]

Doesn't address the issue the OP inquired about, which is the state of charge in the EV battery, not the 12v. And, since the 12v is charged by the EV battery, a trickle charger is unnecessary.

Oh, there are reports on the Bolt EV sites where the 12V will actually run down and cause issues even though HV battery has enough power.

I was responding more to the post prior to my post, and also to the OP.

Yes, pretty obvious I was talking about the 12V battery and not the HV battery.

Lot's of posts and LVB issues with the 12V batteries in the MME forums (same battery as the Lightning) going too low in voltage/dead to turn on the power relays to the HV battery. As to make their MME vehicle not operable even if the HV battery has plenty of charge left. [link1] [link2] [link3]

Ford recommends you fully charge your BEV to 100% when you take your vehicle home for the first time to calibrate the battery systems with the 12V and HV batteries. So that the 12V gets properly charged when plugged into a L1/L2 for recharging.

I disagree with your statement. A 12V trickle charger may be necessary if the vehicle will sit for an extended amount of time unplugged from L1/L2 charging. So, I also feel my post is also relevant to the OP.

As the OP stating being away from the vehicle while camping for a week or more. Especially in colder climates. A 12V battery jump bank or dash solar 12V trickle charger is cheap insurance.

 

[hturnerfamily]

the Lightning has such a large battery bank, you'd have absolutely no issues as you fear. Your fear is more based on a battery sitting for years, not for hours, or days. Look at all the 12v batteries sitting at Walmart. They sit and sit, until someone buys them.
Even a slight degradation would not be noticeable.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

the Lightning has such a large battery bank, you'd have absolutely no issues as you fear. Your fear is more based on a battery sitting for years, not for hours, or days. Look at all the 12v batteries sitting at Walmart. They sit and sit, until someone buys them.
Even a slight degradation would not be noticeable.

OP isn't talking about degradation but more vampire drain.

How much usually depends on the car. A Tesla utilizes a lot of other things while the car is idle.

- Internet connectivity
- Sentry Mode
- Battery temperature maintenance
- Interior climate protection

Even more so these days than in the past. 6 Years ago, my car could go 2 weeks sitting idle and still get me home from the airport. Today, it lasts about 3 days before sentry mode, battery conditioning, and cabin temperature controls drains my battery. So I have to go hunting for a shady area to park and hopefully a 120v/15a outlet to trickle charge while I'm away.

How much the F-150 will drain will be dependent on what Ford has it utilizing while it's "off".

 

[psambrose]

And don't put it in a lighter port.

Why not?

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