It is not an unknown phenomenon: batteries perform less in cold temperatures. This applies, for example, to your smartphone and is no different for your electric car (EV). The range of your electric vehicle can be affected by cold temperatures. Moreover, if certain precautions are neglected, this can potentially have negative consequences for the EV battery.
The main reasons for reduced range in cold weather are related to several factors. The chemical process of lithium-ion batteries, in which ions move more slowly in cold conditions, causes the battery to perform worse. In addition, heating the interior of the vehicle and the battery itself consumes a significant portion of the range. At very cold temperatures of -9° C, battery performance can even decrease by 25% in some cases (ICCT) if the proper precautions are not taken.
It is therefore highly recommended to keep a few precautions in mind during the winter months. We summarize the most important points for you below.
Park your EV indoors
If you have a garage, it is best to always park your vehicle inside. By keeping the vehicle at a moderate temperature, the battery can hold its charge better and longer. Charging will also be faster. In case of snowfall, a cover can also help. In strong, cold winds, it can even help to protect the EV from the icy wind by parking it behind a wall, for example.
Pre-heat before departure
Let the electric vehicle warm up for 30 minutes to 1 hour in the morning before driving. This improves battery performance when it is cold outside. Use the “pre-heat” or “pre-conditioning” function of your car, if available. Tip: keep your EV connected to the charging station while pre-heating. This prevents the battery from being used to warm up the car. If you want to leave immediately without pre-heating, give the vehicle at least a few minutes to warm up after starting the ignition.
Keep the battery sufficiently charged
Do not let the vehicle’s battery drop too low. Many EVs reserve 15–20% for warming up the battery in cold weather. If your battery level then drops below 20%, the vehicle will have difficulty sufficiently warming the battery. Rule of thumb: the vehicle performs best when the battery is at 50% and functions optimally between 20% and 80%. Considering performance loss in cold temperatures, you may choose to charge your battery up to 100% to compensate for this loss. For more information about the lifespan of your EV battery, you can read all about it here .
Use ECO mode
Most electric vehicles have an ECO mode or a similar feature. This minimizes battery consumption, maximizing range. If this feature is activated, acceleration may be slower, but this is recommended in cold temperatures anyway, in order to protect the EV battery and maximize your range.
Do not let the battery reach 0% at all costs! Charged batteries can only freeze at -58° C. A fully empty battery can freeze at 0° C. Be careful!
Seat and steering wheel heating
To reduce range loss, it is also recommended to use seat and/or steering wheel heating, if available, rather than heating the entire interior with the air conditioning. This results in much less energy loss and preserves range.
Protect the charging cable
Protect your charging cable and charging station as much as possible from moisture and frost! If your charging cable is not permanently attached to the charging station, it is best to remove it after the charging session and place it in the car or somewhere sheltered to protect it from freezing. Ensure that the cover of the charging station connector is closed so it is protected. Most charging cables have a type of cap on the connector to protect it if the cable is permanently attached to the charging station. No cap? Let the connector hang downwards (but not on the ground) to prevent moisture, snow, or ice from entering the connector.
Conclusion
Winter temperatures have a significant impact on electric driving and charging. It is therefore useful to pay extra attention to ensure your driving experience goes as smoothly as possible. With these tips, you can get the most out of your electric vehicle and charging station during the cold winter months. This way, you can always drive worry-free in cold weather!