Does the cold affect the performance and range of your electric car battery? Are electric vehicles difficult to handle in the snow? Here's what you need to know about driving electric cars in the winter.
advertisementElectric cars accounted for more than 14 percent of new car sales in Europe last year, and are expected to achieve a 20 percent market share in 2024.
But as electric cars continue to gain popularity, many potential buyers are concerned about how well they will operate in the winter.
Before you hit the road, here's our guide to getting maximum performance from your electric vehicle in cold weather.
Does cold weather affect electric cars?
Like humans, cars prefer ambient temperatures and cold weather will cause all cars – petrol, diesel and electric – to operate less efficiently.
A dead battery, faulty alternator, or problem with the starter motor can make an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle difficult to start in the winter while cold temperatures can wreak havoc on an electric vehicle's range.
When the temperature drops, the range decreases but also the battery capacity.
Capacity is basically how much energy a battery can hold and how quickly it will discharge, so recharging will take longer.
In extreme cold, charging points can also be affected and the result can be a significantly slower charging time, so you can expect to spend more time at charging stations during the winter.
How does low temperature affect the battery?
Electric vehicle batteries work by storing and releasing energy. Cold weather slows down the overall chemical reaction process and battery performance. It is worth noting that not all electric cars are affected to the same extent.
How much range will an electric car lose in the winter?
The Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) regularly conducts winter and summer range tests on electric vehicles to see how they perform.
In its latest winter tests, 29 cars were driven on a mix of urban and rural roads in temperatures ranging from minus 0 degrees Celsius to minus 20 degrees Celsius. Cars start with a fully charged battery and are driven until they run out of power.
The results show that range loss in an electric vehicle can range from 10% to 30% of the car's official range.
The best-performing electric vehicle was the Maxus Euniq 6, an SUV that lost just 10.5 percent of its WLTP range, while a Tesla Model S covered 530 kilometers, the farthest of any electric vehicle before running out of range. . A distance that was 16.4 per cent less than the car's stated WLTP range of 634 km.
What can be done to reduce the impact?
You may not be able to control the weather but there are a range of ways to reduce the impact of cold temperatures on your range.
If you park your car in a garage or covered area, this will protect the battery from extreme cold, making it more likely to hold a charge.
Also when charging overnight, you can schedule pre-conditioning for the time you go. This allows you to pre-warm the car cabin before starting your journey this way, as you draw power from the mains electricity supply and not from your electric car's battery.
Once on the road, turning the heat on is the quickest way to lose range, so use heated seats and a heated steering wheel instead as this is much more efficient than heating up the entire car.
advertisementAlso look for an electric car with a heat pump as this makes heating and cooling the battery more energy efficient. It is worth purchasing a vehicle equipped with one or spending an extra amount on one if it is offered as an option.
Finally, make sure your tires are properly inflated and check your tire pressure regularly because any imbalance in tire pressure can affect energy efficiency.
If your tires are underinflated, your battery must work harder to conserve power.
Are electric cars difficult to drive in ice and snow?
Electric cars usually have front- or all-wheel drive, so they should handle well on snow-covered roads.
They also tend to have a low center of gravity due to the placement of the batteries, which can help increase traction and improve stability in winter conditions.
advertisementBut it is important to remember that electric vehicles are heavier than similarly sized petrol and diesel cars, so in the event of a skid it may be difficult to control the vehicle.
The most important factor on the road is your speed, so always drive slowly and carefully in icy conditions.
The Eco mode function is useful because it will not only extend your battery's range, but it can also make your car safer to drive in the winter by reducing power and limiting the amount of torque.
Winter tires or all-season tires also deserve attention because they make a big difference when the temperature drops because they provide greater grip while driving on snow and ice compared to regular tires.
