Driving electric car in winter - How to extend your range and experience seamless journey
Electric driving in winter requires special attention, especially regarding the vehicle's range. Cold weather reduces the electric car's driving range, so it is important to plan charging carefully. Little things can make a big difference in how smoothly your trip goes, especially on longer drives. With these tips, your journey will be succesfull with an electric car even in winter.
1. Cold weather reduces driving range
Range of an electric car in freezing temperatures can be 20–50% shorter than in summer temperatures. Battery energy is used not only for driving but also for heating the cabin and the battery, which shortens the car’s range. On longer trips, keep in mind that you will need to charge the car more frequently than in summer.
Extra tip! If it happens that you don't have enough battery, don't worry! If your car is insured with Ayvens Comprehensive Insurance, the insurance will cover towing the car to the nearest charging point free of charge. Assistance is available from Ayvens Roadside Assistance. Read more about Ayvens Comprehensive Insurance.
2. Keep the car warm or use pre-heating
If electric car is stored outside in the cold, it is advisable to pre-heat the car while it is plugged in before departure. If possible, it is best to keep electric car in a warm garage so that the car is already warm and battery power is not used for heating.
3. Charging is slower in cold weather
When driving to a charging station, it is recommended to pre-heat the battery if the car has this feature. A warm battery accepts power better and charges faster. Without pre-heating, the battery charges slowly at first in cold weather. As charging progresses, the battery warms up and the charging speed increases. Therefore, plan enough time for charging and prefer chargers with the highest possible power.
4. Plan your route and breaks using car’s navigator
The electric car’s navigator optimises the driving range by planning the route according to charging stations and battery status, taking into account landscape (hills), traffic, driving style, and outside temperature. Some electric cars automatically activate battery pre-heating when a charging station location is set as the destination or a stopover in the navigator.
Taking breaks during the trip is also important for safety and comfort. A good rule of thumb is to take a 15-minute break every two hours. This way, you can recharge both yourself and your electric car.
During holiday periods, charging stations may become crowded. Keep this in mind and plan your stops in advance, and prefer charging stations that have multiple charging points.
5. Consider the impact of baggage on driving range
Packing light can be challenging, especially for long winter trips, but it is worth it. The heavier the car, the more energy it needs to move. Always follow the load limits for roof boxes and your car’s roof load capacity. Note that roof racks or roof boxes can increase air resistance, which further reduces the driving range. However, do not leave out items essential for safety, such as a first aid kit.
6. Check tyre pressure
It may seem strange, but correct tyre pressure improves your electric car’s range. In cold weather, tyre pressure may drop, and under-inflated tyres cause more rolling resistance, which consumes more energy. Also, consider the extra weight of baggage and possible roof box and increase tyre pressure if needed.
Ayvens road service is on call every day of the year
Ayvens road service is available 24/7 every day of the year. The service helps if your trip is interrupted for example, due to technical failure, flat tyre, accident, running out of fuel or electricity, or loss of keys.
