Electric or Hybrid Cars Left Behind for Mudik: Should the 12V Battery Be Disconnected?
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Lebaran mudik period prompts many vehicle owners to leave their cars at home for a relatively long time. This raises questions about vehicle maintenance when not in use, including for electric and hybrid cars.
One common question is whether the 12-volt (12V) battery in an electric or hybrid car needs to be disconnected when the vehicle is left for a long period.
Vice Country Director Chery Business Unit PT Chery Sales Indonesia, Budi Darmawan Jantania, says that under normal conditions the 12V battery in electric or hybrid cars does not need to be removed. According to him, the electronic systems in modern vehicles already have energy management that can keep electricity consumption low when the car is not in use.
That said, there are certain conditions in which removing the battery terminal can be a preventive measure. ‘In certain situations, for example if the vehicle will be left for a relatively long time, removing the 12V battery terminal can be a preventive step to minimise the risk of the battery weakening due to parasitic power consumption,’ said Budi.
As an alternative, vehicle owners can also ensure the battery is in prime condition before leaving the car. In this way, the battery’s performance is expected to remain preserved when the vehicle is used again.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Kalijaga Cirebon Service Manager, Arif Nugroho, says that disconnecting the 12V battery in electric or hybrid cars is not generally recommended, except in emergencies. This is because the vehicle’s main control systems still require power from the 12V battery. He explained that disconnecting the battery can cause the vehicle’s systems to reset or trigger error codes. Moreover, in some electrified vehicle models, high voltage contactor components cannot be activated without a stable 12V supply. Therefore, if the vehicle will be left for a long time, owners are advised to ensure the battery remains healthy so that the vehicle’s systems can operate normally when the car is used again.