The New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) recently announced its rideshare fleet set a new record for electric vehicle (EV) trips, with more than 2.5 million EV rideshare trips in August – which means there are a whole lot of EVs on NYC streets.
Now that November is here, winter is right around the corner. Thanks to a number of factors, electric vehicles (EVs) get less range on a full charge during colder temperatures, since the heaters, wipers and the lights all use up the battery faster. Cold weather also directly impacts your EV’s range and performance because ions flow through battery cells more slowly.
The following tips are important to note to get the most out of your EV:
Park in a garage, if possible. If you’ve got a garage, put your EV in it. And if you’re out and want to park, choose a parking garage when possible. The warmth of the garage will help your car hold its battery charge for longer and charge more quickly. Even an unheated garage provides some protection from the cold.
Precondition prior to charging. A cold battery drains much faster than a conditioned one. To get maxim range, warm up your EV before heading out on the road. A cold battery can also have a negative effect on regenerative braking. Preconditioning the battery allows regenerative braking to kick in, maximizing the efficiency of the vehicle. Most EVs allow you to set a time to warm up your car before departure. If you charge at home, keep your EV plugged in when you start to warm it 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, keep in mind that the car’s battery management system reserves a certain percentage of the battery 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 on the safe side.
Heat the passenger, not the car. Blasting the heat will reduce your EV’s range. Restrict heating to just the driver’s side if you’re driving solo, or only use seat heaters if you have them. This consumes less power than heating the whole car. Obviously, this is not an option if there’s a customer in the car.
Inflate your tires. The air in your tires contracts as the temperature drops and the pressure falls. Check your tires’ pressure regularly to maximize winter range. You want your car to drive with as little resistance as possible.
Use eco-mode. Most EVs offer “eco-mode,” which boosts mileage and reduces power consumption by limiting energy supplied to the driving motor and heaters.
Perform winter prep. To maximize fuel economy, unnecessary weight should be removed from the car; tires should be properly inflated, rapid acceleration should be avoided, and cruise control should be used to maintain a steady speed.
Prepare for a worst-case weather scenario. When facing the possibility of a storm, be prepared. Before departing, locate EV charging stations along your route. Ensure your cell phone is fully charged and carry a phone charger or portable battery. Have warm clothes, blankets, water, non-perishable food and a small shovel with you, in case conditions deteriorate and prevent you from continuing. Also, it’s always a good idea to prepare for power outages. Check regularly for winter weather advisories and try to fully charge your car prior to severe weather.
Make the most of your regen braking system. If you accelerate slowly, brake slowly, let off on the accelerator as you crest a hill, and anticipate stoplights and slow down, it will help maximize the use of regen braking that puts energy back in the battery instead of wasting it with mechanical brakes.
Watch out for snow. Gas burning vehicles have an engine up front that produces heat. People often forget that this has an effect on how snow and ice builds up. When you have an EV, you don’t have an engine producing that heat, so it tends to collect snow and ice more in a frozen way around the wheels a little more heavily.
