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Depends. They get a virtually continual supply of standby power that can last for months if left untouched. So from a technology standpoint that enables them to

Depends. They get a virtually continual supply of standby power that can last for months if left untouched. So from a technology standpoint that enables them to do many things - from being connected to the network, aware of their location on the map, recording camera footage and other remote capabilities. ICE cars do have some of these but the huge battery packs on EVs make these very feasible.

MBCook 9mo ago
Do they? I was under the impression most EVs cut off the connection to the high voltage battery almost all the time they’re not in use. They rely on a 12 V battery or a 48 V battery like a normal car. The only thing I’m aware of that special is that if that low voltage battery gets low enough the car will detect it and recharge it from the high voltage battery, temporarily connecting it for that purpose.
- princevegeta89 9mo ago
  Well that was what I meant - the battery pack meaning the entire system of batteries, be it 1 or 2 or 3. That really enables them to have a continuous state of power supply for a long long time. This cannot be achieved by ICE cars and not even hybrids for that matter.
  - cosmic_cheese 9mo ago
    In theory. In practice, a lot of EVs (and hybrids, which could do the same thing to a more limited extent) ship with the same cheap flooded lead acid 12v batteries that ship with ICE cars and don't handle constant charging/discharging well. This puts a cap on how much the "smart" systems can do because it dramatically increases cycle count and thus the risk of the 12v battery losing the ability to produce enough voltage to start the car, leaving the driver marooned somewhere. It could also result in a noticeable "vampire" drain on the high voltage battery which looks bad and could put you at a disadvantage vs. competitors.
    - MBCook 9mo ago
      My EV also has an extra-tiny 12V battery because it doesn’t need to crank anything over. So extra drain would be an extra big problem.
- magicalhippo 9mo ago
  > They rely on a 12 V battery or a 48 V battery like a normal car. Which leads to "fun" situations when that battery runs out, like not being able to get into your car or start it. However not much power is needed, so a tiny portable jump pack is enough to get things going. Both me and my sister has experienced this, me a Nissan Leaf and her a VW ID.4, good times.
  - MBCook 9mo ago
    I have too. Mach-E.
  - Loudergood 9mo ago
    Both my old Bolt and Ioniq 5 had alternate key entry systems in the door handles.
    - magicalhippo 9mo ago
      Fair enough, at least my Leaf had that too, and I guess the ID.4 as well. However for the Leaf and my current car it's just the driver side, and you still can't get the car started, or turn on the heat say. The latter can be an issue as my sister got stranded in the mountains during winter. Battery ran flat while they were on a long ski trip, and they couldn't get it fired up when they got back. Took a few hours before rescue vehicle arrived and gave them a boost.
eldaisfish 9mo ago
you are mistaken. Not a single EV or hybrid car uses power directly from the traction battery for the 12 V system.
- cyberax 9mo ago
  It depends on your definition. Tesla Model 3 has a dedicated low-current connection to the high-voltage battery that bypasses the main contactors, specifically to power the 12V system.
  - eldaisfish 9mo ago
    Even those models still include a 12 V battery. The point stands - the traction battery is not a replacement and larger energy source in any car.
seanmcdirmid 9mo ago
EVs use 12V for standby just like ICEs. I guess it could occasionally recharge it from the main battery, but needing a jump is a thing for EVs also in theory. I’ve also had issues with the 12V disabling remote systems because of abnormal discharge (well, BMW has an issue with their lock on weak away in that it keeps drawing power if the fob gets near even if the car is locked).

MBCook 9mo ago

Do they? I was under the impression most EVs cut off the connection to the high voltage battery almost all the time they’re not in use. They rely on a 12 V battery or a 48 V battery like a normal car. The only thing I’m aware of that special is that if that low voltage battery gets low enough the car will detect it and recharge it from the high voltage battery, temporarily connecting it for that purpose.

princevegeta89 9mo ago
Well that was what I meant - the battery pack meaning the entire system of batteries, be it 1 or 2 or 3. That really enables them to have a continuous state of power supply for a long long time. This cannot be achieved by ICE cars and not even hybrids for that matter.
- cosmic_cheese 9mo ago
  In theory. In practice, a lot of EVs (and hybrids, which could do the same thing to a more limited extent) ship with the same cheap flooded lead acid 12v batteries that ship with ICE cars and don't handle constant charging/discharging well. This puts a cap on how much the "smart" systems can do because it dramatically increases cycle count and thus the risk of the 12v battery losing the ability to produce enough voltage to start the car, leaving the driver marooned somewhere. It could also result in a noticeable "vampire" drain on the high voltage battery which looks bad and could put you at a disadvantage vs. competitors.
  - MBCook 9mo ago
    My EV also has an extra-tiny 12V battery because it doesn’t need to crank anything over. So extra drain would be an extra big problem.
magicalhippo 9mo ago
> They rely on a 12 V battery or a 48 V battery like a normal car. Which leads to "fun" situations when that battery runs out, like not being able to get into your car or start it. However not much power is needed, so a tiny portable jump pack is enough to get things going. Both me and my sister has experienced this, me a Nissan Leaf and her a VW ID.4, good times.
- MBCook 9mo ago
  I have too. Mach-E.
- Loudergood 9mo ago
  Both my old Bolt and Ioniq 5 had alternate key entry systems in the door handles.
  - magicalhippo 9mo ago
    Fair enough, at least my Leaf had that too, and I guess the ID.4 as well. However for the Leaf and my current car it's just the driver side, and you still can't get the car started, or turn on the heat say. The latter can be an issue as my sister got stranded in the mountains during winter. Battery ran flat while they were on a long ski trip, and they couldn't get it fired up when they got back. Took a few hours before rescue vehicle arrived and gave them a boost.

eldaisfish 9mo ago

you are mistaken. Not a single EV or hybrid car uses power directly from the traction battery for the 12 V system.

cyberax 9mo ago
It depends on your definition. Tesla Model 3 has a dedicated low-current connection to the high-voltage battery that bypasses the main contactors, specifically to power the 12V system.
- eldaisfish 9mo ago
  Even those models still include a 12 V battery. The point stands - the traction battery is not a replacement and larger energy source in any car.

seanmcdirmid 9mo ago

EVs use 12V for standby just like ICEs. I guess it could occasionally recharge it from the main battery, but needing a jump is a thing for EVs also in theory. I’ve also had issues with the 12V disabling remote systems because of abnormal discharge (well, BMW has an issue with their lock on weak away in that it keeps drawing power if the fob gets near even if the car is locked).