Seasonal EV Care: How to Prepare Your Electric Vehicle for Winter

As temperatures drop, electric vehicle (EV) owners face unique challenges. While all cars experience issues in cold weather, EVs can experience impacts on their range and performance during the winter months.

But don't worry! With proper preparation, you can ensure your EV remains reliable and efficient even in the coldest conditions. Here are five essential tips to help you maximize your EV's range and performance during winter.

1. Precondition Your Battery Before Charging

One of the most effective ways to improve your EV's winter performance is to precondition the battery before charging. This process warms up the battery to its optimal temperature, increasing battery performance, range, and driving dynamics.

Most modern EVs have a preconditioning feature built into their companion apps or in-car systems. By activating this feature before you plug in, you're ensuring that your battery is at the ideal temperature for charging, which can lead to faster charge times and improved efficiency.

If you own a Tesla, routing yourself to a supercharger in the winter will activate battery preconditioning automatically.

Watch our YouTube video on range loss in cold weather to learn more about the importance of preconditioning your electric vehicle's battery before charging.

2. Utilize Smart Heating Options

While ICE vehicles can use excess engine heat to warm the cabin, EVs use energy directly from the battery for heating, reducing the battery's range.

To combat this, use your EV's heated seats and steering wheel whenever possible. These features use far less energy than heating the entire cabin and can keep you comfortable without drastically reducing your range. If you need to use the main heating system, try to preheat your car while it's still plugged in. This allows you to use grid power rather than battery power to warm up the cabin.

3. Drive Efficiently

Efficient driving is crucial for maximizing your EV's range, especially in winter. Here are some tips:

• Avoid rapid acceleration and harsh braking when possible. These actions can reduce the effectiveness of your regenerative braking system.

• Maintain a steady speed whenever safe to do so. Use cruise control on highways if conditions allow.

• Give yourself plenty of time to brake. This not only improves safety but also allows you to make the most of regenerative braking, which helps recharge your battery.

By adopting these habits, you can significantly extend your range on a single charge.

4. Protect Your EV from The Elements

Whenever possible, park your EV in a garage. This helps protect the battery from extreme cold, which can impact its performance and longevity.

If garage parking isn't an option, consider using a car or frost cover. These can help insulate your vehicle and prevent ice and snow buildup on windows, reducing the energy needed to defrost and warm up your car.

5. Maintain Optimal Battery Charge

During winter, it's a good practice to keep your EV's battery charged to around 80% when not in use. This ensures you have enough range for unexpected trips while also protecting the battery from the stress of being fully charged for extended periods.

Many EVs allow you to set a charging limit, so you can plug in your car without worrying about overcharging. If you know you'll need maximum range for an upcoming trip, you can always override this limit temporarily.

Conclusion: Winter EV Care Made Easy

Winter doesn't have to be a challenging season for EV owners. By following these tips, you can maintain optimal performance, protect your investment, and enjoy the unique benefits of electric driving all year round. Remember, proper preparation is key to ensuring your EV remains reliable and efficient, no matter how cold it gets outside.

At Evolve: Electric Vehicle Specialists, we're committed to helping you get the most out of your EV in every season. If you have any questions about winter EV care or need assistance preparing your vehicle for cold weather, don't hesitate to reach out to our team of experts.

Stay warm and drive electric!