Cybester a ok car as just a "summer car" and will survive long periods of storage ?

[Ratlos]

Hi,

I am in the process of ordering a Cyberster GT here in Norway (The only version available. If the 2- wheel drive version was available I would have preferred that because of the range) I am going to use this car as a weekend fun car.

I am not particularly impressed with the range of this car. Has anyone tried to change to 19' wheels to extend the range?. ( I know that putting on smaller wheels has good effect on other EV's)

Secondly. Are there any known upgrades on the 2025 version of this car ? ( Expected delivery will be in March/April 2025)


A cab in Norway is not very interesting during winter and - 5 - 20 degrees. I have never owned a EV that will be put for storage 5 months a year. Will the battery survive without constant attention. Has anyone experience with winter storage of the Cybester ? (I have a Morgan as well. ICE cars are probably more storage friendly)

 

[salty]

 

[leomindel]

Hi,

I am in the process of ordering a Cyberster GT here in Norway (The only version available. If the 2- wheel drive version was available I would have preferred that because of the range) I am going to use this car as a weekend fun car.

I am not particularly impressed with the range of this car. Has anyone tried to change to 19' wheels to extend the range?. ( I know that putting on smaller wheels has good effect on other EV's)

Secondly. Are there any known upgrades on the 2025 version of this car ? ( Expected delivery will be in March/April 2025)


A cab in Norway is not very interesting during winter and - 5 - 20 degrees. I have never owned a EV that will be put for storage 5 months a year. Will the battery survive without constant attention. Has anyone experience with winter storage of the Cybester ? (I have a Morgan as well. ICE cars are probably more storage friendly)

Leave the battery at 80% it should be more than fine, as you don't have as many fluids that either freeze or drain out (yes I know there is aircon, battery coolant, brake fluid) if anything an EV car should fare better when left for 6 months.

It is likely you will need to jump start the 12V with a pack like this https://amzn.eu/d/02ar7BO

 

[tarbat]

I've left my two previous EVs (Renault Megane, Fiat 500e) for a couple of months over winter without driving, no problem. I tend not to drive when the snow is deep!

The 12V battery will get a regular top-up from the main traction battery so shouldn't need any special attention as others have suggested.

Only precaution I take is to run the air conditioning every couple of weeks to keep the compressor in use as normally recommended in the most car handbooks. Sadly, unlike my previous EVs, you can't do that remotely from the APP, you need to go to the car to turn the heating on.

 

[Paulie68]

Leave the battery at 80% it should be more than fine, as you don't have as many fluids that either freeze or drain out (yes I know there is aircon, battery coolant, brake fluid) if anything an EV car should fare better when left for 6 months.

It is likely you will need to jump start the 12v with a pack like this https://amzn.eu/d/02ar7BO

Sorry, but this is poor advice for very long term storage of many months. Better to leave the main battery at 40% to 50% SOC and then disconnect the 12V battery negative. This will ensure no parasitic drain on the main battery and it will maintain the SOC it was left at indefinitely with almost no degradation. Periodically trickle charge the 12V battery every 3 to 6 months to bring it up to 100%.

 

[Alb]

As above, 50% is a good figure for longer term storage. Better than disconnecting the 12V battery will be use of a maintenance charger (I'd recommend CTEK).

 

[Paulie68]

As above, 50% is a good figure for longer term storage. Better than disconnecting the 12V battery will be use of a maintenance charger (I'd recommend CTEK).

That's OK, but only if you are certain that no parasitic loads at all will be taken from the main battery by the 12V system over time, or you'd need to monitor the main battery SOC, OK if someone is available to do this.

 

[leomindel]

Sorry, but this is poor advice for very long term storage of many months. Better to leave the main battery at 40% to 50% SOC and then disconnect the 12V battery negative. This will ensure no parasitic drain on the main battery and it will maintain the SOC it was left at indefinitely with almost no degradation. Periodically trickle charge the 12V battery every 3 to 6 months to bring it up to 100%.

I based my suggestion on leaving the 12v connected, so the alarm and remote features work (although I have concerns the remote turns off after a few days).

I do agree with you, if the car is securely locked up disconnecting the 12v makes sense, but then you may have issues getting in to open the bonnet and re-connect (orange flap).

On the traction battery my understanding was anywhere between 40% and 80% is ok to leave the battery at for long lengths, is there a reason 40% is better ?

 

[Paulie68]

I based my suggestion on leaving the 12v connected, so the alarm and remote features work (although I have concerns the remote turns off after a few days).

I do agree with you, if the car is securely locked up disconnecting the 12v makes sense, but then you may have issues getting in to open the bonnet and re-connect (orange flap).

On the traction battery my understanding was anywhere between 40% and 80% is ok to leave the battery at for long lengths, is there a reason 40% is better ?

Thinking on long term lithium battery storage has evolved over time, 40% to 50% SOC is currently considered optimal for very long term storage. 80% over the very long term will still see some degradation, although, vastly better than 100% of course.

My thoughts were for secure garaged storage, with bonnet/openings left ajar as necessary.

 

[tarbat]

On this topic, is there a way to leave the Cyberster parked without the parking brake applied and in neutral? I normally do that during winter storage to prevent the pads freezing to the discs, but I can't find a way to do that on the Cyberster.

 

[Alb]

Do you mean with the parking brake not applied?

 

[cyberthai]

I parked my Cyberster for 2.5 months recently.
Main battery did not drop a single percent, 12 V battery was at 12.3 V and shortly after starting the car fully up again.
For me that is proof that the main battery is triggle charging the 12V battery as mentioned in the manual.

 

[tarbat]

Do you mean with the parking brake not applied?

Yes. I like to park my car without the parking brake applied over the winter to avoid the brake pads freezing to the discs. All my previous EVs have allowed this, but with the Cyberster as soon as I open the door, the parking brake gets applied automatically.

 

[leomindel]

Yes. I like to park my car without the parking brake applied over the winter to avoid the brake pads freezing to the discs. All my previous EVs have allowed this, but with the Cyberster as soon as I open the door, the parking brake gets applied automatically.

I think I have worked out how to leave the parking brake off. This worked but I am not sure I remember the exact order.

Put the car in neutral

Then pull the handbrake button towards you so you hear the brake come off.

Keep the button pulled then turn the car off using the central console.

It may be push the button instead of pull but eventually I was able to get out. Lock the car and still push it and the brake was off.

 

[tarbat]

Thanks. I'll give that a try. Did you have the door open or closed when you did this?

 

[leomindel]

Thanks. I'll give that a try. Did you have the door open or closed when you did this?

The door was open

 

[Grriff]

If you are storing a car for long periods, you will need to consider care of the tyres in order to avoid flat spots.

 

[tarbat]

Put the car in neutral

So I can get this to work, but only by putting the car in PARK first. When I put it in NEUTRAL, the power button on the centre console is greyed out and unavailable.

But this works:

1. Drivers door open, car in Park
2. Press and hold the footbrake
3. Press and hold the parking brake
4. Release the footbrake
5. Press the power off button on the centre console and confirm
6. Release the parking brake

The transmission is still locked but the car can be rocked backwards and forwards so the parking brake is OFF. It would be nice to be able to find a way to also have the transmission in neutral.