Cupra Born

[Sharkie]

So I went to have a look at a Cupra Born yesterday. It probably is the only EV I'd consider and I will only ever use it for the daily commute to and from work.

Seems like a nice VAG product and certainly feels pretty Euro and special compared to all the Chinese junk EVs (and yes I include Teslas not built in the USA in that).

Funny thing I saw was that notwithstanding that it is an EV, it still had a normal car battery .... wtf?

[Flipper Dog]

There are still 12v systems the vehicle operates which need the normal battery.
The EV battery is primary design to power the motor to move the vehicle. Where the 12v battery powers the vehicle's electrical system like lights, computer system, security etc.

You will find that the 12v battery is different to what you will have in a petrol or diesel in being able to be discharged and recharged more frequency.

[Sharkie]

There are still 12v systems the vehicle operates which need the normal battery.
The EV battery is primary design to power the motor to move the vehicle. Where the 12v battery powers the vehicle's electrical system like lights, computer system, security etc.

You will find that the 12v battery is different to what you will have in a petrol or diesel in being able to be discharged and recharged more frequency.

Thanks makes sense. I would have thought they'd have an inverter of some kind to drive the historically 12V systems, but I suppose a battery and reusing existing 12V infrastructure is cheaper from a manufacturing perspective.

[Lucas_R]

As mentioned above, all EV's and Hybrids still have a regular 12v battery. A family member has a Lexus hybrid and we had to replace the 12v battery about a year ago.

And (certainly with the Lexus Hybrid's case), when that 12v battery dies you cannot drive the car. Seems a bit crazy in a battery powered vehicle but thats the way it is.