EV Jump-Start – Can it Be Done?

Your EV’s main battery pack may not be the only battery under the hood! Many EVs use a 12-volt battery in addition to the main lithium-ion battery pack, and this smaller battery—which powers accessories and minor electrical components—is similar to the battery of a gas-powered car.

Whether you drive an EV like the F-150 Lightning or a gas-powered car, leaving your lights in will drain the 12-volt battery and leave you unable to start your car. Is an EV jump-start possible? And can you jump-start a gas car with an EV? Most manufacturers advise against jump-starting a gas-powered car with an EV. However, you can jump-start an EV with a gas-powered car ifthe EV has a 12-volt battery. Let’s take a closer look at how EV jump-starts work.

Can You Jump-Start a Car with an EV?

Although you can jump-start an EV using a gas car’s battery, the reverse isn’t true; you should not use an EV to jump-start a regular car. Doing so may reduce the lifespan of your EV battery. If you’re asked to jump-start someone’s car with your EV, we recommend suggesting a roadside assistance service in the Bedford area instead.

How To Perform an EV Jump-Start

First, we need to reiterate which type of EV jump start is possible. You should never attempt to jump-start an EV’s lithium-ion battery pack—only the 12-volt battery that powers accessories and enables you to start the car.

With that out of the way, here’s how to perform an EV jump-start if you’re ever stranded in Halifax with a dead 12-volt battery:

1. Park your car and a car with a working battery near each other so that the jumper cables can reach the jumping points easily.
2. With both cars off, connect the red (positive) jumper cable to the positive terminal on the EV.
3. Connect the other end of the red (positive) cable to the positive battery terminal on the vehicle with the working battery.
4. Next, clamp the black (negative) cable to the negative terminal on the vehicle with the working battery.
5. Now connect the other end of the black (negative) cable to an unpainted metal surface on the EV to ground the connection.
6. Start the engine of the vehicle with the working battery.
7. After a few minutes, start the EV.

Questions About EV Jump-Starts, EV Maintenance, and More?

Our team at MacPhee Ford is here to help you navigate EV ownership in Sackville! Explore the many benefits of buying an EV and how to get a quick charge in Nova Scotia. When it’s time to service our electric vehicle, schedule your next visit with us in Dartmouth!