Regrettably, driving an EV in the cold can be difficult. The usual problems exist, such as slick roads, having to shovel snow off your car, chilly steering wheels, and other drivers’ general ignorance. However, there are also certain particular problems, such range anxiety and EV charging. Here are some things to consider about electric vehicles and cold weather if you’re a new owner of an EV or if you’re an EV owner moving to a colder region for the first time.
Cold weather decreases EV driving range
Sadly, the range of your electric car on a single charge in colder climates is just not as high as it is in warmer ones. In normal driving conditions, cold weather causes cars to lose roughly 25% of their driving range, according to Consumer Reports. This loss increases if you stop between charges, which forces the battery and car to warm up once more. A few tricks will help you get more mileage out of a charge, even in below-freezing temperatures, in addition to the standard driving habits that reduce fuel consumption.
Tips to maximize EV driving range in the cold
When buying an electric vehicle, get a heat pump. Many electric vehicles (EVs) come with a heat pump as standard or optional equipment, which is beneficial if you live in a region where you know there are colder months ahead of you. By absorbing heat from the surrounding air to keep occupants warm—yes, even in frigid weather—heat pumps increase range by lowering the energy required for temperature control.
When you can, park inside. A garage is wonderful. Better yet is a heated garage. Although even 40 degrees is preferable to 20 degrees, it is best for your battery to remain between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If a garage isn’t available, parking away from the wind and in the sun will assist a little.
Before driving, make sure your automobile is plugged in. As a result, you can help range in two ways. You can unplug it after using it to keep your battery warm. Set a departure time to get your battery ready for the journey, depending on whether your car or your home charger allows for it. Additionally, connecting lets you…
Pre-departure, heat the cabin. Your car won’t need to expend as much energy to warm up the cabin if it is already comfortably warm when it is completely charged. Use a remote app or, if available, a departure schedule to have everything ready before you unplug and head to your car to allow the cabin warm up.
Stack them high. As a last resort, wearing warm clothing will enable you to maintain a lower temperature and remain comfortable without the need for heated seats or a steering wheel if you’re extremely worried about your range or are incredibly efficient. Although it’s a sacrifice you shouldn’t have to make when living with an EV, we hate to suggest this strategy because the prior suggestions ought to be sufficient.
EV charging takes longer in the cold
The chemical process that powers your lithium-ion battery to accept a charge slows down in cooler temperatures. During the winter, for example, we frequently saw that our long-term EV6 would peak at a significantly lower charging rate than both the car and the charger were typically capable of. You will just have to make lengthier stops at the charging station as a result. You can, however, take several actions to improve your wintertime EV charging experience.
How to charge EVs in cold weather
Park your automobile indoors if at all possible. Idealistically, the garage should be heated, but any source of heat that can be maintained will help.
If you charge at home, use Level 2. Simply said, a 240-volt outlet or Level 2 charger will charge an EV vehicle far more quickly than a conventional 120-volt outlet, hence most EV owners will install one at home.
When travelling longer distances, make advance plans. Make sure to allow extra time for your journeys if you anticipate needing to stop at a charging station en route to your destination. You’ll need to charge more frequently and take longer between charges if your range is reduced. It will be easier to travel if you prepare for that. A few electric vehicles come equipped with integrated route planners that can determine the best times and locations for you to stop and recharge while maximising your time savings.
If your car is equipped with a preconditioning feature, use it. Your automobile can preheat the battery to the ideal temperature to speed up the charging process if you plan to stop at a public charger. Of course, this will take more energy while you’re driving to the charger, but the quicker charging rate will make up for it since once the car is plugged in, it won’t have to spend time heating the battery to the proper charging temperature. See if your automobile has this capability by consulting the infotainment menus and owner’s handbook.
Maintain a battery level over 20%. Not only would you want not to be stuck without a full tank of gas, but you would also prefer not to run out of charge while travelling to a charging station, which are typically fewer and farther apart than gas stations. Not only is it a safety concern, but while your battery is between 20% and 80% charged, it charges more quickly.
What do the automakers say?
The aforementioned advice is useful for a general winter, but different car manufactures may have more particular recommendations regarding the EVs they offer, such as information on their feature sets or recommendations for range and comfort. Some of them say what’s written here.
Online owner’s manuals for Tesla are a good source of information. The documentation for the Tesla Model 3 explains, for example, how to schedule defrosting before you leave, what to do if your door handles or charge port freeze, and what the cold battery indication light signifies. It further suggests that the automobile be left plugged in when not in use.
The company Ford, which produces the electric Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning, has a video that offers advice on charging throughout the winter months. To increase range, it suggests parking in a garage, leaving it plugged in, and making use of the preconditioning and departure time features that come with the car.
In an essay, an electric car engineer explains why range decreases in the winter and busts some illusions about electric vehicles (EVs), according to Porsche, the company that develops the Taycan. All cars lose efficiency in the winter, but electric cars aren’t able to take advantage of the enormous quantity of waste heat produced by the engine to warm the interior. The advantages of a heat pump and what to do if you have to keep your car outside in the cold for a few weeks are also covered.
When in doubt, find out what characteristics your automobile might have that are suitable for the winter by consulting the owner’s manual.