Winter Challenges for Electric Vehicles and How to Prepare

November 6, 2023

As temperatures drop, both gasoline and electric vehicles grapple with reduced efficiency and range. While conventional cars face a 30% drop in range due to low temperatures and winter driving conditions, we often underestimate the energy consumed by gas-powered vehicles to heat their interiors. Similarly, electric vehicles require electricity to operate heaters and accessories, affecting their estimated range when temperatures plummet. This blog post delves into the specific challenges electric car owners face during the winter and provides valuable guidance on preparing electric vehicles for safe and efficient winter driving, maintenance, and the availability of winter-ready charging stations.

Preparing Your Electric Vehicle for Winter Weather

For those residing in cold winter regions, it's crucial to ready your electric vehicle for harsh conditions. Ensuring a healthy battery is a top priority, as it enhances performance and longevity in cold weather. Certified technicians can assess your battery's health and provide an estimate.

Winterization is another key step. This involves checking brake and wiper fluids, confirming brake pad functionality, and fully charging the battery. Enhancing traction on snowy days includes inspecting, rotating, or transitioning to winter tires. Given the shorter driving range in cold weather, always start your trip with a fully charged EV to prevent range anxiety.

Tips for EV Winter Driving

Consider Your Tires: Tires play a vital role in your driving experience throughout the year, but their significance is even greater during the winter season. In regions with colder weather or substantial snowfall, winter tires become essential. They provide enhanced traction and control, although they may slightly reduce your range due to their softer rubber composition and increased friction. Therefore, it becomes crucial to regularly inspect and ensure your tires maintain the appropriate pressure levels during winter.

Utilize Seat and Steering Wheel Warmers: Seat heaters, steering wheel warmers, and in some cases, armrest warmers are in direct proximity to your body, making them more efficient at providing warmth. They heat you up quickly and conserve your vehicle's range more effectively than relying solely on heated air.

Engage the "Eco" Mode on Your Vehicle's Climate Control: Besides the vehicle's propulsion, the climate control system is a major consumer of battery power. Enabling the "Eco" mode, when available, activates a program that minimizes electrical usage. It often turns off the HVAC system when the vehicle is stationary and reactivates it when you're in motion.

Maintaining Your Electric Vehicle's Range in Winter

Electric vehicles consume more energy in cold weather, resulting in a reduced driving range. While conventional cars also face decreased fuel efficiency in winter, EVs pose a greater concern, as drivers need confidence in reaching their destinations. Cabin heating is the primary contributor to reduced EV range during cold months.

Locating Winter Charging Stations

To find winter-ready charging stations, you can utilize a couple of helpful resources. The U.S. Department of Energy website allows you to search for charging stations based on your location. Another option is PlugShare, where users share information about charging stations. This dynamic network continually adds new charging points, and using a related app can simplify the process.

Safety Considerations for Winter EV Driving

When navigating winter conditions with an electric vehicle, it's essential to be mindful of a few safety aspects. Firstly, EVs often have a reduced range in cold weather, potentially leaving you stranded if your battery depletes. Secondly, icy roads can challenge the traction of electric vehicles, necessitating cautious driving. Lastly, extremely cold weather can harm EVs, so storing them in a garage or carport during severe winters is advisable.

Dealing with a Stuck Electric Vehicle in Snow

If your electric vehicle becomes stuck in the snow, there are a few steps to free it. First, use a shovel to clear snow from around the tires. If the snow is deep, placing sand or cat litter under the tires can enhance traction. In areas with severe winter conditions, consider installing winter tires for improved grip on snow-covered roads.

For reliable electric car transportation services, contact Budget Auto Transporter at 844-436-6700. We're here to assist you in ensuring your electric car is winter-ready and capable of handling the challenges that come with the colder months.