5 Tips for EV Driving in Colder Weather
No matÂter how chilly it gets, EV driÂvers have no reaÂson to fear. While cold weathÂer can affect your range, you can still get where you’re going in an EV.
Cold weathÂer can reduce range because batÂterÂies are at their most effiÂcient between 60 to 80 degrees FahrenÂheit. The cliÂmate conÂtrol sysÂtems in your car rely on your batÂtery to run, so your range can take a douÂble hit if you crank up the heat. But don’t worÂry, we’re here to help you keep zoomÂing around on elecÂtrons this winter.
Here are some helpÂful tips for EV driÂving in cold weather.
1. Precondition when plugged in
Take advanÂtage of being plugged in at home, work or around town. Most modÂern EVs let you use an app or your key fob to start heatÂing (or coolÂing, in sumÂmer… or in AriÂzona) the car before you get in. PreÂconÂdiÂtion your car while you’re plugged in so your car is the right temp when you start your driÂve, withÂout using your batÂtery capacÂiÂty. It’s super conÂveÂnient to do this right in your garage.
2. Use heated seats and steering wheels
HeatÂed seats and steerÂing wheels are more effiÂcient (because they warm up your body directÂly) and use less enerÂgy than the heater, so using them won’t have as much of an impact on your range. Make the most of these conÂveÂnient accesÂsories to keep toasty in the winÂter. This is espeÂcialÂly imporÂtant on short trips if you don’t preÂconÂdiÂtion your car.
3. Dress warm and drink up
You’re probÂaÂbly already bundling up to go outÂside, so keep your winÂter wear on in the car. This will save you time and you and your coat will be warm when you get out at your desÂtiÂnaÂtion. (To stay extra cozy, fill up your therÂmos with a hot bevÂerÂage or swing by the cofÂfee shop en route.)
![](https://driveelectriccolorado.org/wp-content/uploads/ev-charging-starbucks.png)
4. Be nice to your battery
BatÂterÂies like conÂsisÂtenÂcy, so when posÂsiÂble, avoid runÂning your batÂtery super low or DC fast chargÂing it a lot. While that’s always a good idea, it becomes espeÂcialÂly imporÂtant in extreme temÂperÂaÂtures. Aim to stay between 20 and 80 perÂcent charged whenÂevÂer you can to maxÂiÂmize batÂtery effiÂcienÂcy and longevity.
5. Give others a helping hand
EVs have a big advanÂtage in the cold: they start right up, usuÂalÂly with the push of a butÂton. No more crankÂing your key and floorÂing the gas pedÂal to start an interÂnal comÂbusÂtion engine as you watch your breath freeze before your eyes and inhale gas fumes. In fact, your EV just might help jump-start a gas car this winter.
![](https://driveelectriccolorado.org/wp-content/uploads/Cold-Weather-Circle-K_0-1024x537.jpg)
Does the thought of driÂving an EV in winÂter still leave you feelÂing cold? Maybe it will help you to know that frigid IceÂland, SweÂden and NorÂway are among the top counÂtries for EVs, and CanaÂda is home to thouÂsands of hapÂpy EV driÂvers. Plus, there are driÂvers using ChargeÂPoint in all 50 states and all 13 provinces and terÂriÂtoÂries. No matÂter where you live or how low the merÂcury dives, rest easy knowÂing you can driÂve elecÂtric with ChargeÂPoint on your side.
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/coldweather.shtmlThank you to Colleen Jansen from ChargeÂPoint for allowÂing us to repost this guest blog artiÂcle. Access the origÂiÂnal here.
For more tips about how to improve your fuel econÂoÂmy in the winÂter, read this artiÂcle from fueleconomy.gov. Note: most of these tips will apply for PHEVs, not BEVs.