[Albert]

How long can I leave my Volkswagen in the garage without driving

 

[Reeler]

I left my Chevy Bolt at my vacation home parked for 8 months while plugged in during the pandemic. It stopped connecting with the app at some point, but no issues when I returned to using it. EVs are the best for infrequent use.

 

[gorj]

How long can I leave my Volkswagen in the garage without driving

Lithium batteries do not deteriorate when not charged regularly like lead acid do. The lead acid battery under the hood would go bad setting for long periods, but the lithium batteries keep it charged. Like any piece of machinery I would think one would not want to leave it to long without checking it out. Vehicles are designed to be driven, not parked for long periods of time!

 

[ChristophW]

Someone posted a few days ago that over the first 8 days of non-use the car lost a few percent of charge. Like the Bolt owner above, I’d leave the car plugged in, perhaps set the max charge lower at -60%, and not worry about it.

 

[Huey52]

Thankfully there is much less to go wrong with an EV during hibernation than with an ICE vehicle.
As others have well indicated, keeping the vehicle plugged into your home EVSE is prudent, which will also keep the 12V battery topped up. If you don't have or can't use your EVSE then at least connect a smart Battery Tender to the 12V battery.
The suspension/braking items are ICE-similar. So you may want to inflate your tires a bit higher (no need for Max rating tho') to help stave off tire flat spots. Also make sure your brake fluid is filled to the proper reservoir line. Note that brake fluid should be flushed/refilled every 2-years, regardless of mileage, but no one is in that situation at present.
If your garage is not tightly sealed against outdoors rodents a sonic deterrent is prudent as well. Mice like to use heat/noise insulation and other fibrous materials for their nest and chew on wire insulation to trim their teeth. Mothballs in a sock will help in lieu of the electronic device, but then you'll have that odor to deal with. At least no steel wool stuffing of the exhaust tips is necessary.
Paint protection is another item. A breathable indoor microfiber cover is best.
How long an absence do you anticipate?

 

[TPG]

As others have well indicated, keeping the vehicle plugged into your home charger is prudent, which will also keep the 12V battery topped up. Or it you can't do that at least connect a smart Battery Tender to the 12V battery.

Could you please elaborate on that a bit?
I thought that the DC-DC converter periodically comes on and tops up the 12V battery whether the car is plugged in to an active J1772 EVSE or not.
Is that not correct?

 

[dfox]

How long can I leave my Volkswagen in the garage without driving

I can't leave mine more than a day without driving it!

 

[Huey52]

Yes it does. I just meant if the OP's home EVSE wasn't available then at least Battery Tend the 12V lead-acid. The main Li-ion will do as you say, until depleted. We have no knowledge of the intended longevity so was thinking worst case.
I have edited my post for hopefully better understanding.

Could you please elaborate on that a bit?
I thought that the DC-DC converter periodically comes on and tops up the 12V battery whether the car is plugged in to an active J1772 EVSE or not.
Is that not correct?

 

[gorj]

I am not sure the EVSE works like a trickle charger. I am of the thought that once it reach the set charge it shut down and the user would have to plug in again and re start the charge.

 

[gorj]

Thankfully there is much less to go wrong with an EV during hibernation than with an ICE vehicle.
As others have well indicated, keeping the vehicle plugged into your home EVSE is prudent, which will also keep the 12V battery topped up. If you don't have or can't use your EVSE then at least connect a smart Battery Tender to the 12V battery.
The suspension/braking items are ICE-similar. So you may want to inflate your tires a bit higher (no need for Max rating tho') to help stave off tire flat spots. Also make sure your brake fluid is filled to the proper reservoir line. Note that brake fluid should be flushed/refilled every 2-years, regardless of mileage, but no one is in that situation at present.
If your garage is not tightly sealed against outdoors rodents a sonic deterrent is prudent as well. Mice like to use heat/noise insulation and other fibrous materials for their nest and chew on wire insulation to trim their teeth. Mothballs in a sock will help in lieu of the electronic device, but then you'll have that odor to deal with. At least no steel wool stuffing of the exhaust tips is necessary.
Paint protection is another item. A breathable indoor microfiber cover is best.
How long an absence do you anticipate?

I would be cautious about using a battery tender on the 12 volt battery unless it were disconnected from the battery cable.

 

[Huey52]

Ok, now I need some elaboration. I wouldn't use a Battery Tender on the 12V battery if the vehicle were EVSE-connected, but if not so connected, why not?

I would be cautious about using a battery tender on the 12 volt battery unless it were disconnected from the battery cable.

 

[Huey52]

Good point and there is some assumption here. And we know what happens when we assume .....

I am not sure the EVSE works like a trickle charger. I am of the thought that once it reach the set charge it shut down and the user would have to plug in again and re start the charge.

 

[gorj]

Ok, now I need some elaboration. I wouldn't use a Battery Tender on the 12V battery if the vehicle were EVSE-connected, but if not so connected, why not?

Remember, the 12 v. battery is connected to the 440 v. drive battery via a BMS. Just does not seem like a good idea to be sending voltage through that system!

 

[Huey52]

Was just able to get some VW technical insight and they indicated no issue with applying a smart battery tender to the 12V battery as long as no EVSE was also connected.
Presumably the vehicle is smart too in this regard and/or has the appropriate electrical "check valves" in place.

Remember, the 12 v. battery is connected to the 440 v. drive battery via a BMS. Just does not seem like a good idea to be sending voltage through that system!