Cooling weather and the electric car – 4 good tips for colder days

Autumn has begun to make its presence felt; it gets dark earlier in the day and the temperature is moving closer to zero. We all feel these changes, and the same goes for our electric vehicles. When it gets colder, energy consumption can increase, the range can decrease, and charging can take longer than we are used to. 

With a few simple tips and by knowing your car and utilizing the features it offers, you can make better use of the energy, make driving more comfortable, and be better prepared when the cold makes itself felt. 

Here we have put together a few good tips that we believe can come in handy on colder days. 

Tip #1 

Preheat the car  

There is nothing better than getting into a warm car on a cold morning. If you have the opportunity, it is smart to preheat the electric car while it is still connected to a charger. 

This way, you can use electricity from the charger to heat the passenger cabin instead of draining the battery's energy when you set off. This can both increase comfort and help preserve range. 

Tip #2  

Take reduced range into account  

Have you noticed that the electric car travels a shorter distance on each charge when it gets colder? 

That is normal. At lower temperatures, the battery can become less efficient and more energy is spent on heating both the passenger cabin and the battery itself. 

How significant the impact is depends, among other things, on the car model, temperature, driving style, and weather conditions. Therefore, it is good to keep in mind that the stated range may be different from what you experience on colder days. 

Tip #3  

Prepare the battery for fast charging  

A cold battery can accept a charge more slowly than when it is at its ideal temperature. 

Many newer electric cars offer the option to preheat the battery before arriving at a fast charging station. In some cars, this happens automatically when a charging station is selected as a destination in the navigation system. 

By utilizing this feature, if it is available in your car, you can contribute to faster and more efficient charging. 

Tip #4  

Monitor your driving style and tire pressure 

It is not just the temperature that affects the electric car's energy consumption. Driving speed, wind, and road conditions can also make a significant difference. 

With smooth and steady driving, you can reduce energy consumption, especially when there is a strong headwind or difficult conditions. 

It is also good to monitor the air pressure in the tires. When the temperature drops, the pressure can decrease, and too little air pressure can increase energy consumption. Correct air pressure and tires suitable for the conditions contribute to both better energy efficiency and safer driving.