Have you noticed a small turtle symbol start flashing on your electric vehicle's dashboard when you're driving it with its battery almost depleted? That’s how your car notifies you that it entered Turtle Mode and that you should find a charging station quickly.
But what is Turtle Mode, and how does it work?
What Is Turtle Mode?
Turtle Mode is a feature specific to electric vehicles, and it’s designed to help you when your EV's battery is almost empty. Instead of stopping suddenly and leaving you stranded on the highway, your EV will automatically enable Turtle Mode. This will result in a dramatic reduction in power and the speed that you are able to maintain, but it will allow you to pull over safely or, if you’re lucky, crawl to a charging station.
This mode goes by many names, depending on the manufacturer. In your car, it might be called “Reduced Power Mode” or “Driving Power Reduced Mode”.
When Does Turtle Mode Activate?
Turtle Mode activates automatically when the car’s battery is almost out of charge. By then, your car will have given you enough acoustic and visual signals to let you know your battery is almost empty. Additionally, it might offer to direct you to the closest charging station.
Depending on the manufacturer, Turtle Mode will kick in once the battery is below 10 to 1% of its charge. Once it turns on, it will try its best to preserve the battery level, so it will limit the car’s power and acceleration; even if you fully press the accelerator pedal, the car won't go any faster.
How Far Can You Go With Turtle Mode Activated?
Once again, the answer depends on your car and how fast Turtle Mode activates. If it’s set to kick in at 5% state of charge, it’s best to pull over to the side of the road.
If you think you can reach the charging station, you should also consider environmental factors. As you may know, hot weather affects your EV, and it might shorten the car’s range.
Also, if you’re driving uphill, Turtle Mode might not take you that far (the vehicle may not even have enough power to overcome the gradient). In this case, try to turn around safely and use regenerative braking to try to charge your batteries.
Which EVs Have Turtle Mode?
You can find Turtle Mode in all the EVs from the main manufacturers, like Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Nissan.
Aside from being a safety feature, Turtle Mode also takes care of your electric vehicle’s expensive battery pack, which is why it's such a common feature.
You Need Turtle Mode
As we’ve discussed, Turtle Mode can keep you safe while also taking care of your electric vehicle. While it can help you make it to the next charging station, you shouldn’t rely on it to keep you going—what little power it still offers will taper off after a few miles, and you will grind to a halt.
If you have range anxiety, you should always plan ahead so that you never have to encounter the dreaded blinking turtle.
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