I have not found this mentioned anywhere yet so I am wondering where the 12 Volt battery is located? I only ask as I currently have a Focus EV and the 12VDC occasionally go flat and the doors won't unlock, or car boot up. It is a random thing. But it does have a plastic key to get access to the interior and bonnet release so I can jump start the computer. It doesn't take much power to boot up the car so I use a 12 battery the size of an I-Phone. You just have to get to get access to the 12V system.
So really my question is, will the 12VDC battery accessible from the outside to "jump" in the situation where the 12 VDC battery is dead? If not, do the doors have an actual mechanical latch not dependent on electrical power being available? Think getting stuck inside incase of a freak total power failure.
Looking forward to a long term ownership and I know 12 volt batteries do go bad on you at the most unexpected times.
Regards,
Richard
Austin TX
Good point! My Fiat 500 BEV has a mechanical key/lock/handle on the left door, to open for access to the hood release for 12V access if it fails, & mechanical handles inside. Same for eGolf & eKona, but NOT the new VW id4
Unfortunately, 500e 12V failure happens before any warning appears, since whenever the key is even turned 1 click to activate any test, the drive battery supplies 14+ volts to the entire 12v system.
One of the many advantages of a BEV is that it takes SO little power to "start", it does so even when the 12v is nearly dead, so there's plenty of warning IF the voltage can be checked with the car off. Maybe the id4 (& Aptera) can check the 12V as soon as you open the door, before connecting the drive batt.