How long can an electric car sit without being charged?

Going on holiday? Storing your EV for winter? Here's what happens when an electric car sits unused and how to handle it properly.

The Short Answer

Most EVs can sit for 2-4 weeks without issues.

For longer periods, some precautions help protect battery health.

What Happens When an EV Sits

Battery Drain

EVs lose charge even when parked:

Factor	Drain Rate
Vehicle systems (minimal)	1-2% per week
Sentry mode (Tesla)	1-2% per day
Climate keep-on features	Significant
Connected features (app)	0.5-1% per day
Total (minimal features)	2-5% per week

Drain Over Time (Typical)

Duration	Expected Loss	Starting 80%
1 week	2-5%	75-78%
2 weeks	4-10%	70-76%
1 month	8-15%	65-72%
2 months	15-25%	55-65%
3 months	20-35%	45-60%

Varies significantly by vehicle and settings.

Ideal Storage Charge Level

What Manufacturers Recommend

Brand	Storage Recommendation
Tesla	50-80%
BMW	50-80%
Porsche	50-80%
Hyundai/Kia	50-60%
Most manufacturers	40-80%

Why 50-80% Is Ideal

Charge Level	Risk
100% for extended period	Accelerated cell degradation
Below 20% for extended period	Deep discharge damage
50-80%	Minimal stress on cells

Don't store at 100% or near empty.

Storage Duration Guidelines

Short-Term (1-2 Weeks)

Minimal precautions needed:

Charge to 60-80% before leaving

Disable unnecessary features

No special concerns

Medium-Term (2-6 Weeks)

Some preparation helpful:

Charge to 60-70%

Disable Sentry mode/similar

Turn off connected features

Check charge remotely if possible

Long-Term (6+ Weeks)

More preparation required:

Charge to 50-60%

Disable all unnecessary systems

Consider trickle charger connected

Store in cool, dry location if possible

Have someone check periodically

Vehicle-Specific Features to Disable

Tesla

Feature	Battery Impact
Sentry Mode	1-2% per day
Cabin Overheat Protection	Variable (can be significant)
Smart Summon Standby	Minimal
App connection	0.5% per day

Disable Sentry Mode for storage.

Most Other EVs

Feature	Recommendation
Connected services	Disable if possible
Climate pre-conditioning	Cancel scheduled
Always-on features	Check manual

Where to Store

Best Locations

Location	Rating	Notes
Cool garage (10-20°C)	Excellent	Ideal temperature
Covered parking	Good	Protected from elements
Underground parking	Good	Stable temperature
Outdoor (shade)	Acceptable	Avoid direct sun
Outdoor (full sun)	Poor	Heat degrades battery

Temperature Considerations

Temperature	Impact
Very hot (35°C+)	Accelerated degradation
Moderate (10-25°C)	Ideal
Cold (0-10°C)	Slightly higher drain
Very cold (-10°C+)	Higher drain, but safe

Heat is worse than cold for battery storage.

Leaving It Plugged In vs Unplugged

Plugged In (With Smart Charger)

Advantage	Details
Maintains ideal level	Can set to 50-60%
No drain concerns	Always topped up
Climate control	Car can condition itself

If available, leaving plugged in (at low charge limit) is ideal for long storage.

Unplugged

Consideration	Details
Drain occurs	Monitor remotely if possible
50-60% starting	Allows buffer for drain
Check periodically	Don't let it drop too low

What Happens If Battery Gets Too Low

12V Battery Issue

The bigger risk is the 12V battery:

Powers vehicle systems

Can drain faster than main battery

Dead 12V = car won't "wake up"

Duration	12V Risk
2-4 weeks	Usually fine
1-2 months	Monitor closely
3+ months	High risk

Modern EVs charge 12V from main battery, but if main battery is very low, 12V may drain.

Recovery from Low Battery

State	Recovery
Main battery low (10-20%)	Charge normally, no damage
Main battery very low (<5%)	May need slow charge first
12V battery dead	Jump start or replace 12V
Main battery completely dead	May need dealer assistance

Practical Tips by Situation

Going on Holiday (1-3 Weeks)

1Charge to 60-70% before leaving

2Disable Sentry mode or equivalent

3Turn off scheduled charging/climate

4Park in shade if possible

5No special concerns on return

Extended Travel (1-3 Months)

1Charge to 50-60%

2Disable all unnecessary features

3Leave plugged in if possible (50% limit)

4Ask someone to check fortnightly

5Store in garage if available

Winter Storage (3-6 Months)

1Charge to 50%

2Leave plugged in with smart charger (maintain 50%)

3Or: Arrange periodic charging

4Keep in garage if possible

5Consider battery conditioner/maintainer

Airport Long-Stay Parking

Duration	Recommendation
1 week	70-80%, no concerns
2 weeks	60-70%, disable features
3+ weeks	Reconsider — use different transport or arrange charging

Summary Table

Storage Duration	Ideal Charge	Plugged In?	Precautions
1-2 weeks	70-80%	Optional	Minimal
2-4 weeks	60-70%	Preferred	Disable extras
1-2 months	50-60%	Yes if possible	Regular checks
3+ months	50% (maintained)	Yes (required)	Climate control, checks

The Bottom Line

EVs handle sitting unused better than many expect:

11-2 weeks: No special preparation needed

22-4 weeks: Disable Sentry mode, set 60-70% charge

31+ months: Leave plugged in at 50% if possible, or arrange periodic charging

Key points:

Don't store at 100% charge

Don't let it drop below 20%

Heat is worse than cold

The 12V battery is often the weak point

Leaving plugged in (with smart charger at 50%) is ideal for long storage

Most EV owners returning from a 2-week holiday find their car ready to drive with minimal charge loss. For longer periods, a little preparation ensures your battery stays healthy.