Maintaining an EV During Winter Months

 

Maintaining Your EV During Winter Months

Winter weather is upon us, bringing the unique challenges of driving an electric vehicle in colder temperatures. Cold weather can significantly impact driving performance, battery range, and charge times. Whether you are a seasoned EV owner or doing research before jumping into the world of electric vehicles, you've come to the right place!  Let's dive into how cold weather affects electric vehicles and tips on what you can do to increase performance

How Does Cold Weather Affect My EV?
Colder climates come with their own set of unique challenges, from de-icing windshields to warming up the cabin to driving on slick roads. EV drivers have additional challenges to consider as cold weather is not kind to batteries. This is because when the temperature drops, the chemical reaction in the battery that generates the electricity can slow down significantly, reducing output and performance. In addition to decreased battery output, more power is used to maintain adequate cabin temperatures, further exacerbating the issue. The most noticeable difference is in battery range, where freezing temperatures can reduce the overall range by 20%, and even up to 40% as temperatures drop. EV drivers can particularly have difficulty with long road trips during the winter months, having to stop more due to the decreased range.
How Cold is too cold?
It's important to know the limits of your electric vehicle before taking it out into harsh winter environments. While there is no official temperature given that is considered dangerous, it is important to think about the potential impacts extremely cold weather can have on your car and battery in addition to the reduced performance. If you consistently expose your EV to extremely cold temperatures, it could shorten the battery's overall lifespan or even cause premature damage. Most EVs do have thermal management systems that can heat the battery to reduce the risk of damage; however, there are still plenty of risks, especially as the weather gets extremely cold.
Cold Weather and Charging
Not only does winter weather affect battery performance, but it also affects the amount of time it takes to charge your vehicle. This is because as the battery gets cold, it reduces the rate of charge it can accept. Some studies show that vehicles charged in cold weather took in 36% less energy than vehicles charged in normal weather conditions over the same amount of time. EV drivers should be cautious and prepared to spend more time at charging stations while traveling this year.
Range-saving Tips for the Winter
You can do plenty of things to help mitigate the effects of cold weather on your EV this upcoming winter. For instance, try preheating your vehicle while it is still plugged in to reduce strain, as the power is pulled from the grid instead of the EV battery. Try parking in a garage whenever possible to reduce the direct effects of harsh weather. Most EVs have eco-friendly modes that will help save power by reducing acceleration speeds. Reducing the cabin heat is also a great option to save some battery range while driving. Finally, it is important to plan your trip and stops before traveling this winter. Look for large public charging stations, as reduced charging times will cause EV drivers to stop more often.
Which EVs Perform Best in the Winter?
If you're in the market to buy an EV for this coming winter, below are some of the better electric vehicles able to tackle harsh winter environments:
  • Jaguar I-Pace - Its dual motor all-wheel drive with 7.8 inches of clearance works great when driving on snowy or slick roads. Charging times are also quicker with its new 11-KW onboard charger
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E - Traction is no issue with this vehicle's standard all-season Michelin tires. You can even comfortably drive down slicker hills with the Mustang's regenerative braking features
  • Audi E-Tron Quattro SUV - This SUV is perfectly fitted to drive in cold weather with large 21-inch wheels and a powerful engine. A 150-kW charger also provides extremely fast charges even in cold weather
If your EV is feeling the effects of cold weather, stop by Bob Moore Collision Center in Oklahoma for any inspections, replacements, and repairs you may need!