Do Not Be Surprised: This Is Why Electric Vehicles Suddenly Lose Power

Jakarta — Declining performance in electric vehicles often leaves drivers questioning what is wrong, particularly when power suddenly feels weak during use.

This condition is frequently misunderstood as a serious malfunction, when in fact it is often an automatic protection mechanism working within the vehicle’s system.

According to Mahindra Gofar, founder of EVSafe and lecturer at the National Battery Research Institute, this phenomenon is directly related to how the Battery Management System (BMS) works, which is responsible for maintaining optimal battery temperature and performance.

He explained that when battery temperature rises due to high power demand from the electric motor, the system automatically limits power output.

This mechanism is similar to electronic devices such as mobile phones that become hot during intensive use, except that in electric vehicles the system is far more complex and responsive.

“If the temperature continues to rise, the BMS will protect by limiting power. In certain conditions, the system can even cut off supply so that the electric motor cannot draw maximum power,” he said.

Furthermore, if the electric motor temperature also overheats, the vehicle typically enters a protection mode known as turtle mode. In this condition, the power supplied can drop dramatically to approximately 10 per cent of normal capability.

“Drivers will usually see a turtle icon on the dashboard. That is a sign that the system is protecting the vehicle by limiting performance so that components do not become damaged,” said Gofar.