As more drivers switch to EVs, the winter months bring unique challenges, particularly for EV batteries. Graham Conway, managing director of Select Car Leasing, explains the potential impact of cold weather on EV batteries and how to optimise performance.
- Reduced range – “In cold weather, the battery’s energy output is reduced, which can result in a shorter range for an electric vehicle. The battery may require more energy to maintain its temperature and power the vehicle’s heating system, which can decrease its overall efficiency and mean more regular recharges are required.”
- Increased charging time – “Cold weather can also increase the time it takes to charge an electric vehicle. This is because the battery’s capacity is reduced, and it takes longer to charge a cold battery.
“As a result, the vehicle may need to be charged more frequently than usual, or you’ll have to wait much longer for the vehicle to charge, which won’t be convenient in a rush. To best combat this causing a rush, always make sure you’re checking the weather in winter months, so you can plan ahead to ensure your vehicle will have enough time to charge.” - Battery degradation – “Cold weather can accelerate the degradation of an electric vehicle’s battery.
This is because the cold temperature causes the battery’s chemical reactions to slow down, which can cause the battery to lose its capacity over time. If you think this might be causing an issue, ensure you’re getting your car and the battery serviced as regularly as possible, to improve the vehicle’s efficiency.”
- Reduced vehicle performance – “In extreme cold weather conditions, the battery may not be able to deliver enough power to operate the vehicle’s systems effectively. This can result in reduced acceleration and slower overall performance. This is usually the case in extreme minus temperatures and heavy snow conditions, so make sure you’re always planning ahead if you’re facing these conditions, and maybe consider an alternative method of transport.”
- Preconditioning
“Electric vehicles have a preconditioning feature that warms up the battery before use to optimise its performance. However, this feature uses energy from the battery, which can reduce the vehicle’s range in cold weather.”
Tips for maximising your EV’s winter performance
- Plug in and preheat your car
“In cold weather, it’s always best to heat up the cabin of the car before you leave, whilst the vehicle is plugged in. This way, you’re using the mains power to heat up the car rather than the battery of the vehicle. This will save power on your battery and increase the range.” - Slow down
“The faster you drive, the less efficiently your car will operate. Lowering your speed by just five miles per hour on the motorway, if it’s safe to do so, can make a huge difference to your battery.” - Use sat-navs
“The sat-nav in your EV is likely to plot the most efficient route for your car, meaning you’re able to save on some precious miles. Most EVs will have a built-in sat-nav that can calculate charging points, but if you’re using a third-party external Sat-Nav, be aware that it may not have this functionality, so plan ahead.” - Use heated seats
“The heated seats and heated steering wheel feature in EVs will use less battery energy to heat up the cabin than using the fan or air conditioning unit. If you can bear it, turn the A/C unit off entirely to increase mileage.”
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