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How long can electric cars idle?

My old gas car could idle for a long time, I just bought an EV how long can I let that idle?

Marlee John · Updated on Apr 22, 2022

Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.

Good question! EV motors don’t use up power while stationary so according to experts and tests, electric cars can idle for more than 24 hours.

In an article by Reuters, Oxford University engineering professor David Howey, states that EV motors don’t use power when the car is stationary. So, theoretically without climate control features the battery would still have a fairly high charge despite the car being “on”.

Journalist Alex Lauer decided to test this out after the I-95 shutdown this past winter. He

idled an EV for 12 hours

to see if it would last and it did, with 75% of the battery to spare. EVs make great city driving cars as zero pollution, [regenerative braking](

https://getjerry.com/questions/are-minivans-good-electric-cars

and power reserve motors ensure you save a lot more.

Your

policy should never be idle. Let

, the number one car insurance comparison app help you to find the best deals on your insurance. Jerry can even help you cancel your old plan!

MORE:

The Best Budget Electric Cars

View full answer

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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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