Jumpstarter for an Electric Car: Which One Do You Need?

You get into your electric car, press the start button and nothing happens. No screens, no click. Strange, since the battery you drive on is still half full. Yet this checks out: almost every EV has a second, much smaller 12 volt battery, and that's the one that can run flat. Below you'll read why that happens, which jumpstarter fits and how to safely get it going again.

Does an electric car have a regular battery?

Yes. Next to the large drive battery that powers the motor, every EV has a regular 12V battery. That powers the onboard electronics: the computers, the screens, the door locks and the system that gets the car ready to drive. Without a working 12V battery, the car can't even switch on the drive battery. That's why a flat 12V battery leaves you completely stuck, even though the drive battery is full. A jumpstarter gives that small battery exactly the push it needs.

Why does the 12V battery of an EV run flat?

The causes resemble those of a regular car. If the car sits idle for a long time, the onboard systems slowly drain the small battery. An aging 12V battery, a lot of short trips or a device that stays on also play a role. In some models, systems stay awake for a while after shutting down, which costs extra power. The result is always the same: the 12V battery drops too low and the car does nothing anymore. Recognize this? Then also read why a battery discharges after standing still for a long time.

How much CCA do you need for the 12V battery of an EV?

Here's some good news. The 12V battery of an electric car doesn't have to turn over a heavy starter motor, because an EV doesn't have one. That's why the battery is usually smaller than the starter battery of a petrol or diesel car, often 45 to 70 Ah. So you don't need a heavy jumpstarter. The rule stays the same though: choose a model whose CCA (Cold Cranking Amps, the real starting power in a cold start) is equal to or higher than the EN value on your 12V battery. In practice, 480 to 620 CCA is plenty. The Boost Basic 3000 with 480 CCA or the Boost Mini 3750 with 620 CCA fit well here. Want to know why CCA matters and peak current doesn't? Read what that big number really says.

Where do you land in our lineup?

For the small 12V battery of an EV, you're at the bottom of our lineup. Do you also have a petrol or diesel car? Then you can see right away which model matches that one.

Where and how do you connect on an electric car?

Only connect to the 12V battery or to the starting points the manufacturer designates for that. Many EVs have a separate positive terminal and a ground point under the hood, precisely because the 12V battery itself is sometimes hard to reach. Check your vehicle manual for where those points are. Connecting itself takes 3 steps: clamp red on the positive terminal and black on the negative terminal or the designated ground point, wait until the screen shows "12V Ready" and then turn on the ignition. The smart clamps are protected against reverse polarity, short circuits and sparks, so you simply connect straight away. Once the car works again, disconnect the clamps.

What do you do after the car is on again?

Once the car responds again, disconnect the clamps and let it drive for a while or connect it to the charger. That way the 12V battery recharges. Does this happen often? Then the 12V battery probably needs replacing, even if your car is still young. A 12V battery typically lasts around five years. Keep a jumpstarter in the car as a safety net, then you're never stuck for long. Want to know which model fits your other vehicles? Check jumpstarter per vehicle.