UK drivers ‘left scratching their heads’ as they | Tech News

An automotive expert has revealed the meanings behind a number of the most common dashboard lights found on an electric car.

Whilst many drivers are familiar with the warning signs that may appear on a petrol or diesel car, the different drivetrains used by electric models could leave them confused and, as a result, potentially at risk of being stranded.

Steve Beattie, sales and marketing director at BYD UK, noted that learning the meaning behind these warning signs can help drivers stay safe and boost their confidence behind the wheel.

He explained: “As more people make the switch to electric vehicles, it’s really important that drivers feel confident with the new technology – and dashboard symbols are a big part of that.

“While familiar icons like the low battery light are easy to spot, others, like regenerative braking or power limit warnings, can leave people scratching their heads.”

According to BYD, who assessed the views of 2,000 UK drivers, only 39 percent of Brits could identify arguably the most important warning sign an electric car could show: the low battery icon.

This amber icon features a rectangle, mimicking the outline of a car battery, with minus and plus symbols inside, plus two additional borders in the bottom left-hand corner.

Whilst electric vehicles also have a specific range counter, making it incredibly easy to know when a driver will need to plug their car in, it is important to keep an eye out for the low battery icon to prevent running out of charge in a busy area.

Another electric car icon that shockingly few drivers knew the meaning of is the battery temperature warning, with only 26 percent of Brits able to correctly identify it.

Much like the low battery icon, this red warning sign features a battery, which is behind a thermometer – a symbol some drivers will have seen if their petrol or diesel car has ever overheated.

Whilst many electric cars have extensive cooling systems, which help to keep the battery below 30C, drivers may encounter overheating when travelling on a particularly hot day, which can affect performance and damage the battery in the long-run if it is not treated.

Finally, BYD’s study found that just 21 percent of drivers in the UK could identify the limited power warning sign that may appear on the dashboard of an electric car.

This amber icon features the outline of a tortoise in a circle, which could cause confusion among motorists more used to traditional warning signs.

Whilst it would be unusual for an electric car to move as slowly as a tortoise, this logo will typically appear when the vehicle is in battery conservation mode – limiting the performance of the motors to extend the range.