EV Winter Range: 8 Tips to Drive Further in Cold Weather
Cold weather reduces electric car range. The good news: a few simple habits limit the loss.
In winter the battery is less efficient and heating uses energy, so range drops. Here are eight habits that help you keep as much of it as possible.
- Preheat the cabin while plugged in: the energy comes from the grid, not the battery.
- Use heated seats and the heated steering wheel: they use far less energy than heating the whole cabin.
- Use the heat pump if your car has one.
- Check tyre pressures: they fall as temperatures drop.
- Drive smoothly and make the most of regenerative braking.
- Park under cover when you can.
- Precondition the battery before fast charging.
- Slow down a little on the motorway: it is the most effective lever of all.
Range loss from cold weather is temporary: it disappears when mild temperatures return.
Read next: Electric Car Road Trip: How to Plan a Long Journey Without Stress
