You bought an electric van for your business. Winter slows things down, a job runs long, or the vehicle just sits in the yard for three weeks. The question most owners don’t think to ask beforehand: is that a problem?
What Actually Happens to an EV Battery When It Sits
All lithium-based batteries, including LFP (lithium iron phosphate) which most modern electric vans use, lose a small amount of charge over time even when parked. This is called self-discharge. For LFP chemistry, the rate is very low, roughly 1–3% per month at room temperature. That means a van left at 80% charge in September will likely still show around 77–79% in October without ever being driven.
The real concern is not the self-discharge rate itself. It is what happens if the battery drops to a critically low state of charge (SOC), typically below 10–15%, and stays there for an extended period. At very low SOC, some battery management systems (BMS) enter a deep sleep mode to protect the cells. In rare cases with prolonged deep discharge, cell degradation can accelerate. Most modern BMS will prevent the battery from going below a safe threshold automatically, but this assumes the vehicle’s low-voltage 12V system (which powers the BMS itself) also has enough charge to keep operating.
“The battery is not what fails first. It is the 12V auxiliary system that can go flat and leave you unable to start the vehicle at all.”
The 12V System: The Overlooked Risk
Like conventional diesel vans, electric commercial vehicles have a separate 12V lead-acid (or sometimes lithium) auxiliary battery. This powers the alarm, the BMS, the central locking, and the onboard electronics. If the vehicle sits without being plugged in for several weeks, this 12V battery can drain completely, even if the main traction battery is healthy. The result: the van appears dead. The fix is usually a jump-start of the 12V system, but it is worth knowing before you are standing in a field in January wondering why nothing responds.
Cold Weather: Does It Make Things Worse?
Yes, but not dramatically for LFP chemistry in storage. LFP batteries tolerate cold better than NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) chemistries. Self-discharge does slow further in cold temperatures, which is actually beneficial for long-term storage. The problem with cold is not storage; it is the first drive after a long idle period. A cold, low-SOC battery will have reduced available power until it warms up, and regenerative braking may be limited during the first few kilometres. This is normal behaviour and not a sign of damage.
If you know the van will sit through winter, parking it in a covered space and leaving it plugged in at 50–60% SOC if possible is the best practice. Most AC wall chargers and onboard chargers support a maintenance or “trickle” mode that will hold the battery at a target level without overcharging.
How Long Is Too Long?
For most modern electric vans with LFP batteries and a functioning BMS, 4–8 weeks of unattended storage with no plug-in is generally safe, provided the battery was left at an adequate charge level (40–70% is ideal). Beyond 8 weeks, checking in on the 12V system becomes important. Beyond 3–4 months without any maintenance, some manufacturers recommend a specific storage protocol, and you should consult your owner’s manual or dealer.
There is no universal rule because it also depends on ambient temperature, the age of the 12V auxiliary battery, and whether the vehicle has any persistent power draws (dashcams, tracking devices) that can accelerate drain.
Practical Checklist Before Leaving Your Electric Van Unused
- Charge the main battery to 50–70% SOC, not 100% and not below 20%.
- If possible, plug in to a wall charger on maintenance mode.
- Disable or unplug any aftermarket devices drawing power (dashcams, GPS trackers on constant power).
- Park in a sheltered location if temperatures will drop below -10°C for extended periods.
- Check the 12V system if the vehicle has been idle for more than 6 weeks.
- Do a short drive within the first few minutes gently if the van has been sitting in cold temperatures.
What This Means for Seasonal or Part-Time Operators
If your business is seasonal, agricultural, or involves vehicles that rotate in and out of use, an electric van is not a problem as long as you follow basic storage hygiene. The battery will not “go bad” from sitting the way a diesel engine can develop fuel issues or a clutch can seize. The main discipline required is keeping the charge level in the right range and not ignoring the 12V system.
At Feidi, our electric vans are designed for exactly the kind of real-world, intermittent use that small and medium businesses rely on. If you want to understand how a specific model handles storage, or you are weighing up whether an electric van fits your operational pattern, explore our models or get in touch with our team.