Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular each year. As the price of electric vehicles continues to drop, and as the availability of charging stations increases, more people are making the switch to electric. Driving electric vehicles in winter can be a bit tricky, but with a few tips, you can make it work smoothly. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for driving your electric vehicle in winter!
Though electric vehicles (EVs) are growing in popularity, there are still some lingering concerns about driving them in cold weather. However, EV owners in countries like Canada and Finland have been driving their cars in the winter for years with few problems. If you’re considering making the switch to an EV, don’t let cold weather hold you back.
DRIVING ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN WINTER: WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE CONCERNS?
If you’re an EV owner in a cold climate, you may have some concerns about driving your car in the winter. However, there are a few things that you need to be aware of when driving an EV in winter weather.
DRIVING ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN WINTER: PREPARATION
The majority of electric vehicles allow preconditioning. The temperature inside the car can be adjusted through a smartphone app to warm the car before driving electric vehicles in winter. It reduces the time it takes when the car needs de-icing which creates an ideal temperature and helps preserve battery life. Preconditioning can improve range in three ways.
First, the temperature can be modified to accommodate the number of passengers. If, for instance, there is only one person inside the vehicle, only the driver’s seat can be heated which saves energy as opposed to heating the entire vehicle.
In addition, preconditioning warms the battery, which makes it operate more efficiently as it counters the effects of cold weather through the chemical reactions taking place. Finally, preconditioning while the car is plugged in means that the energy needed to heat the vehicle is not derived from the battery. It preserves the range available.
Plan Your Journey Ahead of Time
If you plan of driving electric vehicles in winter, think about the range and the location you’ll need to recharge more cautiously since your range will be less and charging times can be extended. Do not let the battery sink too low because it’ll take longer time when charging your EVs in winter.
Set your car to precondition the battery temperature and the climate control while it is plugged in for about 30 minutes before you travel to increase the efficiency of your battery.
Make use of the eco mode if available to cut down on power consumption and preserve range. The eco mode can limit the maximum speed of your car even if you don’t want to limit it to under 65mph. It can reduce drag and the quantity of cooling air flowing across the battery which reduces efficiency and range.
Driving Electric Vehicles in Winter: Icy Conditions
Electric vehicles can perform better than conventional cars in cold weather. It is because of the layout of electric vehicles in which the batteries are positioned at the lowest point possible to keep the centre of gravity low. It gives better performance and traction when driving through ice and snow.
While full torque is readily available in electric cars, managing the power during slippery conditions is simple by easing the use of the pedal to accelerate. Stability control is available to stop wheels from spinning too much which can hinder safe movement. If there is regen braking, it can lower the risk of skidding or losing control.
A large number of electric vehicles also have all-wheel drive, even in cars that are only front-wheel drive. It improves grip making it easier to drive in various conditions safely. Similar to conventional vehicles, it is essential to inspect the tires regularly to ensure they can perform in cold conditions. Winter tires are more efficient when it is cold. The cold weather also impacts air pressure, so it is essential to monitor the pressure regularly to ensure security.
Driving Electric Vehicles in Winter: Maintenance
In winter, conventional vehicles are prone to issues with reliability that can cause them to break down. Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts, which decreases the likelihood of breaking down because of components wearing out or failing. Regularly check the components of an electric vehicle such as the condition and the pressure of screenwash, tires, and wipers.
Driving Electric Vehicles in Winter: Driving Range Tips
Lithium Ion batteries are among the commonly used batteries found in hybrid and electric vehicles. They generate electricity by moving lithium ions from the anode into the cathode of batteries. They rely upon chemical reactions to absorb and generate electricity. Winter’s lower temperatures can slow these reactions and processes, which affects the battery’s efficiency.
Due to this and the increased use of lighting systems, interior heating systems, and battery thermal management systems which consume electricity, the electric vehicle range is reduced during winter. This is important to remember when driving electric vehicles in winter.
Regen braking is also reduced by the vehicle to protect the battery from charging inputs until it gets warm for battery longevity. The distance can be reduced by about 20% to 30%. If we take this as a reference, the BMW IX3 would still have an estimated range of more than 200 miles on a single charge, which is greater than the standard distance of 8.4 miles.
TIPS ON CHARGING YOUR EVS IN WINTER
If you’re driving electric vehicles in winter, keep in mind that winter is a tough time for car batteries. The cold weather makes it harder for the battery to generate the power it needs to start the engine, and the shorter days mean that there’s less time for recharging your EVs in winter. As a result, it’s important to take some extra steps to care for your car battery during the winter months.
One of the most important things you can do is to make sure that it is always kept charged. This can be tricky when you’re trying to conserve power, but there are some simple tips that can help. First, try to plug in your charger whenever you have access to an outlet, even if you’re not planning on using your car right away. This will help to keep the battery topped off and reduce the amount of work it has to do when you do need to use your car.
Second, if you know you won’t be able to charge for a while, try to avoid using high-powered accessories like heaters and seat warmers, which can drain the battery quickly. By following these simple tips, you can help your car battery survive the winter and keep your car running smoothly all season long.
KEEP YOUR EVS CHARGED IN WINTER MONTHS WITH ECOPLEX
If you live in a cold climate, winter can be tough on your car. The added stress of the cold weather can cause your battery to die, your tires to go flat, and your engine to seize up. And if you drive an electric vehicle (EV), you have an extra layer of complexity to deal with: making sure you have enough charge to get where you’re going. This is where EcoPlex comes in.
We are a network of solar-powered charging stations designed to keep you charged up and on the go, even in winter. With EcoPlex, you can rest assured that you’ll always have enough juice to get where you need to go. Having an EV charging installation at home will spare you all the hassle that comes with driving electric vehicles in winter.
Don’t let the winter months slow you down. Contact EcoPlex today!
