Hi all - I’m looking to buy my first ever EV soon (probably a Model Y, Polestar 2, or BMW i4) and have quick question. I’m often gone from home for a few weeks (sometimes months) at a time, and I currently keep a trickle charger on my 12V battery the whole time (it’s a “smart” CTEK charger that doesn’t overcharge the battery). That charger recently broke after many years of use, so I’m wondering whether there’s any need to replace it.
I know the answer may differ across EV models, but in general: if I leave the car in a garage for a few weeks it’s plugged into the main EV charger whole time, is there any need for a trickle charger?
Any quick thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
As many have said, you’re probably OK, but check your specific model to be sure.
My specific model, the 500e, is reportedly susceptible to 12V battery degradation; some model years really want the voltage to be close to 12V and as the battery ages and the voltage drops to 11.8 or 11.7 or lower, it can cause the car to stop working unexpectedly. Some owners report 12V batteries needing replacement every two years. So I bought a bluetooth battery monitor and attached it to the 12V, and now whenever I walk near my car or past the garage I get a notification on my phone that the voltage is still a-ok.