Fully electric vehicles are a relatively new option for those looking to buy a car or truck. Consequently, most electric vehicle (EV) owners are first-time owners. While EVs—and their power sources—are designed for ease of use, there still is a bit of a “learning curve” with them.
One vital aspect of EV maintenance is knowing how cold weather affects them. So, as fall moves into winter and you’re putting winter wiper blades on, buying a new ice scraper, and replacing the warm-weather gear in your trunk with blankets and sweatshirts, you should also be thinking about how to prepare your EV.
How Electric Vehicles Work
When considering how to use and maintain your EV, it’s helpful to know a little about how it functions. Rather than having a combustion engine that burns gasoline to generate power, EVs use electrical energy stored in battery packs. That energy turns one or more electric motors that cause the wheels to rotate, propelling the vehicle forward or backward.
An EV’s battery pack charges the same way electronic devices do but on a larger scale. You plug your vehicle into the electrical grid at your home or a charging station and the battery takes on energy until it’s full. The amount of energy the battery pack holds (in kilowatt-hours or kWh) determines the vehicle’s range. Ranges vary widely, from around 60 miles on the low end to 350+ miles on the high end. And the science behind EVs continues to evolve, so the average range will undoubtedly continue to increase.
EV engines work to spin the vehicle’s drive shaft using two sets of magnets—one set on the shaft and the other in the housing around it. These magnets repel each other, creating the force that spins the shaft and the tires to which it’s attached.
The amount of time it takes to charge an EV battery pack depends on how big it is and the type of charging station from which it’s drawing energy. There are three “levels” commonly used today. They range from 120-volt Level 1 chargers like you might have in your garage at home, which take 8 hours to provide enough charge for 40 miles of range, to Level 3 charging stations that can get a typical battery pack to 80% of its capacity in 30 minutes.
Essential Considerations for EVs and Cold Weather
Cold weather takes a toll on EV batteries. Temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit cause them to produce less current and can result in them becoming completely drained in a matter of hours. When the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, an EV’s range takes a significant hit. AAA estimates that a typical EV’s maximum distance falls by over 40%.
So, when forecasters are calling for chilly to downright cold weather, it’s important to keep these six considerations in mind for charging and using an EV:
- Plan ahead. If the overnight temperature will be under 40 degrees Fahrenheit, set your charging process up so that it completes close to when you have to leave as opposed to the afternoon or evening before.
- Keep your EV in a garage if possible. Cars that are parked in a garage don’t get as cold as those left outside, and the colder an EV battery pack is, the less effective it is. So, you should park your EV in your garage if you have one and can do that. You should also choose garage parking (like a parking structure) when you’re at the airport, attending an event, etc.
- Precondition your vehicle. Turn on your car’s heat for around 30 minutes before you need to leave and while it’s still charging. A warm battery retains a charge more effectively. Most electric vehicles have an app that “talks to” the charger. You can use the app to automatically precondition your car or manually send a command to start preconditioning.
- Heat your seats. Because EVs don’t produce heat as a byproduct of burning fuel, which can then be channeled into the vehicle to benefit the occupants, it’s crucial to have a strategy for staying warm in the most energy-efficient way. You should precondition your car, as described above. Then, when you start your trip, you should turn off the heater and turn on your electric seats and steering wheel. They use energy more efficiently than the heater.
- Maintain proper tire pressure. It’s critical to keep your tires at the manufacturer-recommended pressure for all types of vehicles. However, underinflation can be particularly detrimental to EVs, causing battery efficiency decreases of 3% to 7%.
- Use eco mode. Most EVs have a mode that reduces energy to the cabin heater and drive motors. This helps conserve energy. Plus, lowering power to engines reduces the vehicle’s acceleration capability, which can keep the wheels from spinning on snowy or icy roads.
Ensure You and Your EV are Winter-Ready!
Electric vehicles offer several operational and environmental advantages. Just be sure you know how to ensure that they can meet your needs all year long, including in cold winter temperatures.