Cold weather impacts the range and performance of electric vehicles (EVs) because low or freezing temps makes the electrolyte fluid in the battery thicken, causing slower charging and a decrease in its overall charging capacity. However, according to a road assistance service in Norway, EVs actually fail at a lower rate than gas-powered cars in extreme cold – even if they often get bad press about their performance during this time of year. Some experts say extreme cold conditions affect the chargers rather than the vehicles, but EVs mainly get attention because it’s a new technology that fails for different reasons than gasoline vehicles.
The following tips will help you get the most out of your EV this winter:
Park in a garage if possible. If you’ve got a garage, use it. The warmth of the garage will help your car hold a battery charge for longer and charge more quickly.
Warm up your car’s battery. Most EVs allow you to set a time to warm up your car before departure. This helps performance because it warms up the battery and heats up the cabin. If possible, keep your EV plugged in when warming it up so the battery’s charge won’t be tapped. Ideally, plug the vehicle in and run the heating system for 20-30 minutes before driving.
Don’t let the battery charge get too low. When it’s frigid, an EVs battery management system reserves a certain percentage of its capacity – generally about 15-20% – to heat the battery. Aim to stay between a 20-80% charging range for maximum efficiency – and plan to charge more frequently. Also, allow for a 20% variance in your available range to be safe. If your range falls below 20%, don’t leave it out in the cold without charging. You might find the battery depleted.
Heat the passenger, not the car. Blasting the heat when it’s cold will reduce range. Restrict heating to just the driver’s side if you’re driving solo or use seat heaters if you have them. They consume less power than heating the whole car.
Inflate your tires. The air pressure in your tires falls when it’s cold, so check it regularly to maximize winter range. Also, consider snow tires if you expect a lot of snow. Go easy on the accelerator and brakes in adverse weather and consider turning off regenerative braking to prevent an unexpected loss of grip on the road.
Use eco-mode. Most EVs offer “eco-mode,” which boosts mileage and reduces power consumption by limiting energy to the driving motor and heater. You may accelerate more slowly, but that’s safer in icy or snowy conditions anyway.
Don’t expect your gauge to read 100%. Some EV software prevents a 100% charge when it’s freezing to improve battery function. Consult your dealer or owner’s manual before suspecting something is wrong or find and join an online group chat with others who own the same EV. If you live somewhere where temps can be extreme, look up the best EVs for those climes. A lithium-ion battery handles cold better than a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, for example.
Allow more time to charge at public stations. Chargers may need a little time to warm up in frigid temps and a decrease in range for EVs can mean longer wait lines. Try to pick a station in an enclosed area so the chargers aren’t out in the cold.
Charge during off-peak hours. Not only are chargers busy during a workday, heavy use during those times can strain them, resulting in reduced power and longer charging times. Charge at dawn, or late at night, if possible.
