Arizona heat & charging question

[Whidbey_LucidGT]

I'm building a house in Scottsdale and just heard a story secondhand about heat affecting EVs. The story is that a new EV owner couldn't get their car to charge because their garage was too hot - they were getting overheat warnings. I've never heard of this - is this a thing? Do folks have to actively cool their garages?

 

[Adnillien]

I have not heard of anyone not being able to charge because the garage is too hot. That said, when the Lucid fans turn on to cool the battery during charging, the garage does heat up. I use an exhaust fan and charge early in the morning when it is cooler.

 

[DTA]

I'm building a house in Scottsdale and just heard a story secondhand about heat affecting EVs. The story is that a new EV owner couldn't get their car to charge because their garage was too hot - they were getting overheat warnings. I've never heard of this - is this a thing? Do folks have to actively cool their garages?

Given many of us [in the AZ market] recently took delivery of our Lucids during the holiday season I suspect if this is true the discussion volume will increase by Memorial Day. I have not heard of anyone being unable to charge due to heat temps across the Valley. I can attest that my family members came to visit [from SoCal] between Aug & [late] Sept of last year and neither the Ioniq5 nor Tesla had challenges in charging in my garage. We have the Juicebox EVSE installed and the garage does not have cooling tied in, although in full transparency.. it is something that we're considering.

 

[Steveinarizona]

I live in North Scottsdale. My garage door is insulated and other than the door, only a small section of wall is an outside wall (two of the four walls are into living spaces). In the hottest summer days, my garage tends to run in the 90s and I have never had a problem charging at those temperatures. Put differently, my cars have always charged in my garage.

If you haven't done so, I would make sure your garage door is insulated and if you can insulate your garage, that would be helpful. Also, are you going to have an electric or gas hot water system. If you are going to have an electric system, consider using a heat pump hot water heater. It will reduce your electricity usage and slightly cool the garage (a heat pump, of course, moves heat but doesn't create it).

Being new construction, and given the way usage is moving, I would recommend a 400 amp service and 100 amps going into your garage. I have 225 amps but would prefer 400 but didn't want to trench my lawn to get the second line to the house.

 

[DTA]

I live in North Scottsdale. My garage door is insulated and other than the door, only a small section of wall is an outside wall (two of the four walls are into living spaces). In the hottest summer days, my garage tends to run in the 90s and I have never had a problem charging at those temperatures. Put differently, my cars have always charged in my garage.

If you haven't done so, I would make sure your garage door is insulated and if you can insulate your garage, that would be helpful. Also, are you going to have an electric or gas hot water system. If you are going to have an electric system, consider using a heat pump hot water heater. It will reduce your electricity usage and slightly cool the garage (a heat pump, of course, moves heat but doesn't create it).

Being new construction, and given the way usage is moving, I would recommend a 400 amp service and 100 amps going into your garage. I have 225 amps but would prefer 400 but didn't want to trench my lawn to get the second line to the house.

Agreed Steve! I live in N. Peoria and with the majority of the homes in our area being built between 2015 thru present day the garages are fully insulated (to include the garage doors). Unfortunately the builders do not consistently build with central cooling systems linked to the garage/s. So with a new build this was definitely be a investment cost to consider. Lastly, like you we opted to install the dedicated 225 60 amp circuit for our EVSE and considered the 400 amp, however should you opt to install the 400 amp circuit know there are a few considerations to account for that will change your relationship with your electric service provider. If you're installing solar to generate and store your electricity then the relationship with your electric service provider becomes moot. But if not, be mindful of increase rates / charges should you decide to go the 400 amp circuit route. Congratulations on the new build!

 

[Steveinarizona]

Agreed Steve! I live in N. Peoria and with the majority of the homes in our area being built between 2015 thru present day the garages are fully insulated (to include the garage doors). Unfortunately the builders do not consistently build with central cooling systems linked to the garage/s. So with a new build this was definitely be a investment cost to consider. Lastly, like you we opted to install the dedicated 225 60 amp circuit for our EVSE and considered the 400 amp, however should you opt to install the 400 amp circuit know there are a few considerations to account for that will change your relationship with your electric service provider. If you're installing solar to generate and store your electricity then the relationship with your electric service provider becomes moot. But if not, be mindful of increase rates / charges should you decide to go the 400 amp circuit route. Congratulations on the new build!

Cool. I didn't think about the solar consideration but that could change my recommendation.

The main time I get out to north Peoria is to play golf at Quintero. But the ride from Scottsdale to Quintero and back on Carefree Highway is my main test drive. One lane in each direction with a 65 mph speed limit and lots of slower vehicles pulling trailers. But there are a couple of passing lanes on steep hills. My test for a car is not 0-60; it is how well the car can do to pass one of these cars on the steep uphill and then slow down before getting to the top of the hill. Too many electric cars fade out at this test.

 

[Whidbey_LucidGT]

Thanks all - yes we're putting in a giant solar array so definitely will help offset any active cooling we do. The garage shares only the N wall with the house, and otherwise fully exposed. I think we're going to go with a separate split-unit so we can keep a lid on the high temps, and potentially make it a usable space for a workout room etc.

I'd not heard of the car charging issue (and noone on the thread yet has either) - thanks for solving that riddle.