The nights are drawing in, the temperature is dropping, and you know the winter jacket will be getting dusted off soon. But what does the cold weather mean for electric cars? There are several factors for EV owners to consider on these chilly days, and a number of steps you can take to keep your electric car working smoothly. Whether you’re concerned about slower charging, the impact on your EV’s range, or want to know more about the luxury that is preconditioning, we’ve got you covered. CarSupermarket.com’s experts have pulled together all you need to know when it comes to electric cars and cold weather.
Return to the EV hubElectric cars perform well in winter, but cold temperatures can slightly reduce battery efficiency and range. Learn how to optimise your EV’s performance with tips on battery care, preconditioning, and driving in snowy or icy conditions for a smoother, safer winter journey.
Discover how cold weather impacts the performance of electric cars. From reduced battery range to slower charging times, we explain why EVs aren't quite as efficient in the winter and how to prepare for those frosty mornings.
One of the great things about electric cars is the huge amounts of futuristic technology they come with.
This technology makes handling the cold weather far less of a chore – you can forget hopelessly scraping at your frozen windscreen before the sun is even up.
Most EVs come with remote connectivity, meaning you can start and schedule cabin preconditioning remotely. Turn your car’s heater on the second you wake up, and ensure the cabin is warm and your windscreen is defrosted by the time you’re ready to leave.
If your car is plugged in, the power used to warm the interior will be taken from the mains, so none of your battery charge is used up prior to departure. An already-warm cabin will also mean you won’t have to use as much energy for heating once you’ve set off.
Battery preconditioning is another feature available on many EVs and makes sure your battery is warmed to an optimal temperature prior to leaving the house, again using power from the mains. Warming your battery means you won’t suffer from the loss of range and slower charging that comes with colder weather.
If you can’t use battery preconditioning ahead of your trip, try to wait as long as possible before heading to a public charger. The longer you drive before plugging in, the closer to the optimum temperature your battery will be, meaning it will charge at the usual speed. Regenerative braking will also get your battery warmed up quicker.
There are several ways you can protect your EV’s battery and preserve as much range as possible in cold weather.
Parking your car in a garage overnight is the best way to keep the battery at an optimum temperature – especially if you've got an insulated garage door. A warmer temperature means your battery will charge quicker, and you’ll have more range when you hop in your car in the morning. That extra care will also help reduce the slight long-term depreciation that all EV batteries go through. If you don’t have a garage, you could also use a waterproof car cover.
Once you get on the road, try to minimise your use of the cabin heater. Other targeted heating features like seat warmers and heated steering wheels use less energy and will preserve your battery charge.
Electrics cars perform really well in snowy or icy conditions as they have a low centre of gravity. With a heavy battery positioned under the floor, between the front and rear axles, their weight is distributed evenly, and the car is pressed into the ground, improving its grip.
EVs also have a number of built-in features that can help you when driving in snowy or icy conditions.
Electronic stability control actively manages steering and braking inputs to maintain traction and reduce the risk of skidding. If you accelerate a little bit too hard and the computer thinks you’re going to spin the wheels and lose traction, it’ll reduce the amount of power that is deployed – even if you don’t have a 4x4 EV.
Electric cars usually have a lot of crash prevention technology too. Features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring will all give you an extra layer of confidence when driving in wintery conditions.
Electric cars do see their maximum range slightly reduced during colder weather as battery performance isn’t as efficient.
This is because the chemical reaction that occurs in the EV battery is slowed down in extreme cold – and due to more energy typically being used to warm the interior. In wet or snowy conditions, more energy might also be used on electronic features like stability control, which ensures the car retains traction. Even in a long range EV, it’s important to double check your range prior to setting off on a wintery day.
Charging is also a little slower, as battery temperature impacts how much power it can accept. While wintery nights in the UK can often see the temperate drop to below freezing, EV batteries have an optimum operating temperature of between 20 and 40 degrees Celsius. You won’t have any issues getting your EV back to 100% overnight, but you might find it takes a little longer to top up over a couple of hours.
Keep in mind that petrol and diesel cars also suffer in cold weather. Internal combustion engines (ICEs) are less efficient in extreme cold too, increasing fuel consumption.
In short, electric cars are absolutely reliable in cold weather. The position of their batteries and state-of-the-art technology makes driving in difficult conditions safer and more comfortable.
Just like petrol and diesel cars, the efficiency of EVs is impacted slightly in the colder months, but they are smart enough to reduce this effect. Preconditioning means your battery can be remotely warmed along with the cabin, maintaining performance and offering you the treat of hopping into a heated, de-iced car on a miserable morning.
Browse CarSupermarket.com’s full range of used electric cars, or get in touch with our experts if you need any further information on running an EV during the winter months.
There has never been a better time to sell or part-ex your car