These instructions apply to the XPENG G3 (2021-2024).
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
Disconnecting the 12 V battery on your XPENG G3 (2021–2024) is a job you might do before winter storage, ahead of bodywork or electrical repairs, when you need to work near the airbags, or to recover a car that has been sitting with a drained low-voltage battery. On this electric SUV the task involves the 12 V low-voltage battery only. The high-voltage drive battery that powers the motor is sealed, managed by its own system, and must never be touched. Done in the right order — negative off first, positive on first — the G3 wakes back up and relearns its settings cleanly, so there is nothing to be nervous about.
Where the 12 V Battery Is
On the XPENG G3 the 12 V battery lives in the front service compartment, under the front lid or cover. Because a G3 has no combustion engine, that space is used for the low-voltage electrics rather than a motor, and the battery usually sits under a plastic panel that lifts or unclips away. Once you have the cover off you will see two terminals: the negative (−), marked with a minus symbol and normally a black lead, and the positive (+), marked with a plus and a red or coloured cover. Take a moment to confirm which is which before you touch a spanner — getting the order right is what keeps the job safe.
High voltage warning: the bright orange cabling and connectors belong to the high-voltage drive system. Never touch, cut, or unbolt anything orange. This whole procedure concerns the 12 V battery and nothing else.
Before You Start
- Make sure the car is fully powered off — not in READY mode — and the doors are closed so the electrics settle.
- Take the key fob well away from the car so it cannot wake the systems.
- Switch off the lights, climate, and any accessories, and make sure nothing is plugged into the 12 V socket or USB ports.
- Note down your radio security code (if the car uses one) and your clock setting so you can restore them afterwards.
- Wait a couple of minutes after shutting down so the control modules power down before you disconnect.
- Wear gloves and eye protection, and have the correct spanner ready for the terminal clamp nut.
Disconnecting Safely
- Power the car fully off and wait a couple of minutes for the modules to sleep.
- Open the front service compartment and remove the cover to reach the battery.
- Slacken and lift off the negative (−) terminal first, then tuck the lead aside so it cannot spring back onto the post.
- Next slacken and remove the positive (+) terminal, and cover the exposed post so it cannot short against bodywork.
- Working near the airbags? Wait a few minutes more after disconnecting before you start, so any stored charge in the restraint system has bled away.
Reconnecting
- Refit the positive (+) terminal first and tighten its clamp until it is secure.
- Refit the negative (−) terminal last and tighten it the same way.
- Check both clamps are firm — a loose terminal causes flickering warnings and hard starts.
- Allow the car a minute to wake fully before you power it up and drive.
What You’ll Need to Reset Afterwards
Cutting the 12 V supply clears the short-term memory in several systems. On the G3 you may need to sort out:
- Clock and date — reset the time, and re-enter the radio security code if the audio system asks for it.
- One-touch windows — if a window loses its auto function, hold the switch fully up at the top limit for a moment to relearn it, then repeat the process at the bottom.
- Driver settings — some personalisation such as display or comfort preferences may return to default and need setting again.
- Warning messages — a few dashboard alerts appear on first power-up and self-clear once the car has been driven a short distance.
A straightforward like-for-like 12 V battery does not normally need any coding on this car.
If a Warning Light Stays On or the Car Feels Off
- Re-check that both terminal clamps are tight and clean — a poor connection mimics an electrical fault.
- Take the car for a short, gentle drive to let the systems relearn and clear first-power-up messages.
- Re-do the window relearn if one-touch or anti-pinch is still not working.
- Rule out a genuinely flat or worn-out 12 V battery — if it will not hold charge, disconnection was not the real problem.
- If an alert persists, it has stored a fault code — look it up on autodtcs.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 12 V battery on an XPENG G3?
It sits in the front service compartment, under the front lid or cover. Because the G3 is fully electric there is no engine in that space — the low-voltage battery lives there instead, and it is completely separate from the high-voltage drive battery.
Is it safe to disconnect the battery on an EV?
Yes. The 12 V battery is low voltage and safe for an owner to handle, exactly like the battery in any petrol car. The only thing you must never touch is the bright orange high-voltage cabling, which belongs to the sealed drive system.
Which terminal do I disconnect first?
Always take off the negative (−) terminal first and refit it last. Reconnect the positive (+) first when you put things back. Following that order avoids any risk of a short across the terminals while you work.
What will I need to reset afterwards?
Expect to reset the clock and date, re-enter the radio code if prompted, and possibly relearn the one-touch windows. A few dashboard messages may show on first power-up and clear themselves after a short drive.
Does a new 12 V battery need coding on the G3?
A like-for-like replacement of the correct type and rating does not normally require any coding for an owner. Fit the same specification the car came with, make sure the terminals are tight, and let the car settle before driving.
Can I jump-start the 12 V system instead of disconnecting?
If the 12 V battery is simply flat, a careful jump or boost from another 12 V source can wake the car so you can then charge it properly. Never connect anything to the high-voltage system — only the 12 V battery’s own terminals.
If a warning message stays on after reconnecting, look up the code on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with XPENG. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.