A SERIOUS blunder by an electric vehicle driver has seen both their car and a home go up in flames.
The EV was destroyed in southern Denmark after its owner tried to warm up its battery using a plugged-in bread slice toaster.
Police said on Monday that they “strongly discourage” people from using the dangerous method to heat power cells.
They explained: “The cause of the fire is most likely to be found in the toaster that the owner of the car had placed under the front of his car to keep the battery warm.”
It is understood the toaster set the car alight, causing a fire which destroyed the electronic vehicle and damaged a nearby house in Stenlille, about 60km southwest of Copenhagen, on Saturday.
The car was parked in a carport at the time.
It is not yet known whether it was the driver’s house that was damaged or their neighbour’s; nor is the make of their car.
The owner of the vehicle now faces a fine.
Electric cars can struggle to perform as efficiently as they normally do during the winter months, as their batteries tend to drain at a faster rate in cold and rainy conditions.
But there are five steps EV drivers can follow to stay safe on the roads, keep their batteries warm, and save thousands of pounds – none of which involve a toaster.
The first tip shared by motor experts at LeaseElectricCar.co.uk is to keep their cars in warmer spaces – as electric car batteries have an optimum temperature they run at and cooler conditions will hamper their performance.
A garage or car cover are the best options, as opposed to leaving the vehicle exposed outside.
EV cars will also charge faster and use less power when trying to heat up in places such as these.
The experts added that EV cars will take longer to recharge in the cold and revealed the best temperature to charge batteries at is 15C.
They also said EV motorists should be mindful of how much charge they have left when they turn up the heat.
Raising the temperature will use more power and see the estimated mile range drop at a much faster pace than normal.
The car gurus recommended heating the seats and steering wheel rather than warming the whole interior.
They urged EV owners to make the most of the preheat option in their cars as doing so will allow the vehicle to reach its best operating temperature for driving before hitting the road, thereby conserving power and miles.
It is also a good idea for drivers to keep an eye on the handling of their cars in the cold and wet, the experts said, as harsh braking and heavy acceleration can drain battery life unnecessarily.
