5 Things You Need To Do With Your EV Before Winter Hits
Written by
David Nadelle
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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If you live in one of the more wintry states, ’tis the season to race and put on your winter tires before the next heavy snowfall drops. For electric vehicle (EV) drivers, tires aren’t the only thing that need sorting out before winter really hits.
As InsideEVs noted, battery-powered cars have an edge over internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles when it comes to tire traction. However, there are things specific to EVs that owners should be aware of, especially when colder temperatures take over.
Here are five things every EV driver needs to do with their ride before winter hits.
1. Get a Battery Check
EV battery performance and range are reduced in cold weather, so if you anticipate freezing temperatures, plan on losing range. According to Car and Driver, “It’s not a massive decline, but some owners report 10 to 20 percent lower range at temperatures below freezing, and generally the colder it gets the more your EV’s range will be reduced.”
If your car has diagnostics, get the condition of your battery examined. Make plans for a reduced winter range if you know your battery is deteriorating.
2. Practice Preconditioning
Using your car’s timer system or the manufacturer’s app, the preconditioning feature warms the battery and cabin while your EV is still connected to the charger.
Not only will preconditioning improve your car’s range and preserve your battery’s life by using grid power, but it’ll give you a more convenient and comfortable ride right from the start, according to SlashGear.
3. Buy Winter Tires
Like gas vehicles, EVs really benefit from specialized winter tires in snowy or icy weather because an EV’s quick torque can make their tires more prone to wheel spin on slick conditions and EVs are generally heavier than ICE cars, according to EV Magazine.
There are specific tires made for EVs that are designed for low rolling resistance, but any regular performance-oriented snow tires should suit any EV adequately.
4. Use Your EV’s Heated Features
Like regular cars, EVs behave worse in winter for several reasons. However, an EV’s performance and range are dependent on its battery’s health, and heating up the cabin before driving in winter eats energy quickly. Luckily, a couple of your vehicle’s heated features will serve you well in cold conditions.
According to Kelley Blue Book, you should “consider using the EV’s heated seats and heated steering wheel instead of heating the entire cabin. These features use significantly less energy than the car’s climate control, which can affect how quickly the battery drains.”
5. Plan Ahead
Winter is the cruelest season for drivers, and its extreme temperatures and weather affect your car more than you think. Vehicles need extra patience and kindness in winter, and EVs are no exception. Park inside if you can, allow extra time for charging and do it more frequently when it’s cold. Planning your charges and knowing the locations of nearby charging stations will give you an extra sense of comfort while you’re driving.
Additionally, Car and Driver suggested that you keep your EV a bit more charged in winter than you normally would during other times of the year. “Most miles covered by today’s EV drivers come from overnight home charging, meaning many EVs can start every day with a fully charged battery,” it said.
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