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Electric car buyers need to take special precautions heading into the heat of summer.
AAA told Channel 2 consumer investigator Jim Strickland electric car buyers need to learn how to handle their new cars in the heat wave, because high temperatures will drain battery life more quickly.
Ed Rohn of Johns Creek remembers making the 70-mile round-trip to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on a hot day.
"On the way back I thought, 'I'm not going to make it,' but I got back with about 10 miles to spare," he said.
A survey conducted by AAA found heat makes a significant difference in the average electric car's range.
"It was about 105 miles as the average range at 75 degrees. At 95 degrees, the range dropped to 69 miles," said spokesman Garrett Townsend. Townsend drives a Leaf.
"You think a little bit before you go. I even find myself going on Google trying to figure 'Okay, how many miles is it?'" said Rohn.
"Proper tire pressure and parking your EV in the shade will help," said Townsend.
"There are probably going to be some people that are going to have to learn that fairly quickly," he said. Heat waves are already beginning to grip the country.
AAA has no current plans to outfit mobile response units with gear to charge electric cars.
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