Driving an electric car in winter: tips and advice

Cold temperatures, bad weather, snow and ice – if winter is your least favourite time of year, you’re not alone. Electric cars aren’t fond of the winter months, either.

Electric car batteries don’t perform as well in winter, leading to shorter range in cold weather than on warmer days.

Just how much of a problem is cold weather for an EV? And what can owners do to minimise the effects of cold weather on their electric car?

Electric cars in low temperatures – battery performance

Electric vehicle batteries perform worse in cold weather because the chemical reaction that generates power slows down.

For example, Dacia’s online calculator gives the Spring electric car a range of 120 miles while averaging 20mph in temperatures of 20°C. Reduce the temperature to freezing and that falls to 95 miles, a reduction of just under 21%.

Charging speeds are also slower in cold weather, so an ultra-rapid charger may not be so rapid when the temperature drops.

Using an electric car’s heater – something of an essential for passenger comfort in cold weather – also seriously eats into range. EVs don’t produce much waste heat, unlike petrol and diesel engines, so have to generate it through power-hungry resistive heating. It’s for this reason most manufacturers recommend use of heated seats rather than cabin heaters, as a more efficient way to warm the driver directly.

Electric cars in snow and ice

You can drive an EV in snow and ice, just as you would any other car. Just remember that many EVs are very quick to accelerate from a standing start. If your car has an ‘Eco’ setting which reduces the power or has a gentler response to the accelerator this is worth selecting. It will make the car easier to control.

Tyres are key to driving in wintery conditions, so consider switching to winter or all-season tyres if you live somewhere where snow and ice are common in winter.

Driving electric cars through floods

Flood water is another hazard in the winter months. The good news is that an EV doesn’t consume air like a car with an internal combustion engine, so there’s no risk of water getting into the engine.

Even so, it’s sensible to treat flood water with respect. Always stay within whatever limits the manufacturer sets for your car. If you do drive through deep standing water, drive slowly and keep to the middle of the road where the water should be shallowest.

Using rapid chargers when it’s below freezing

Rapid chargers won’t charge a battery as quickly in cold weather because the passage of electrons slows down in low temperatures.

Regular rapid charging is bad for long-term battery health in all weathers, so only use it if you must.

Driving an EV in winter FAQs

How cold is too cold for an electric car?

An electric car will work in any cold temperature we’re likely to experience in the UK. Remember, Norway is one of the biggest markets for electric cars and they have much lower winter temperatures.

Are electric cars warm in winter?

Electric cars can be warm in winter if you crank up the heating. But remember, the heater uses a lot of power and eats into an EV’s range. On a long journey it may be better to wear warm clothing in the car and use the heater sparingly.

If your car has a pre-heating function, use this to warm the cabin while it is still plugged in, so the cabin starts out warm without costing you any range. Also consider using the ‘Driver-only’ function of some EV heaters if you’re in the car alone, or heated seats and steering wheel as opposed to cabin heating.

Is life with an electric car in winter really a nightmare?

Not a nightmare, but if you regularly make long journeys you may need to recharge more often in the winter. For an owner who mostly makes shorter trips and charges at home winter won’t make a big difference to living with an EV.

How do I protect my EV battery in winter?

Use slow charging whenever practical. This is better for battery life. You should also keep the battery between 20% and 80% charged, only charging to 100% if you must for a long journey. If you have a garage, use it, as this will reduce your EV’s exposure to cold temperatures. Also, if your car has a pre-heating function, use this to warm the cabin while it is still plugged in, so the cabin starts out warm without costing you any range.

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