How do Electric Cars Work in Cold Weather? Detailed Guide for Newbie

You all must have visited a cold, snowy place in the winters, not all by the foot, of course, but with your fancy electric car, whether a tesla or another brand.

Many people have mixed experiences with how electric vehicles function in winters, but many are unaware of the possibilities that come with electric vehicles.

In this guide, I will cover how do electric cars work in cold weather. All avid electric car owners need to pay extra attention to the harsh winter climate and learn how to take care of their fancy electric vehicles.

Safety Procedures For Electric Cars In The Winters

If you are taking your electric car out for a ride in the cold weather, you need to make sure you have your basics covered, which means taking care of a lot of things.

Always check your tires

Checking the air pressure in your tires is extremely important for two big reasons. For once, as the temperature drops significantly during winters, your car is bound to lose air pressure, and it’s important to ensure you have it at max level right from the get-go.

The second utility for tires has grippy tires in the cold breezy atmosphere. This will help you maintain much better control of your car while also mitigating any chances of your car skidding.

Plan your journey carefully

The general trend as seen with most fuel cars is that they use up more energy in the winters and that effect is truer for electric cars.

Extremely high temperatures can affect the battery’s capability to function properly, and it is physically impossible to charge your vehicle at minus temperatures.

Therefore, it is important to plan your journey smartly and keep in mind when your electric vehicle may run out of charge.

Locate Charging stations

Nearby charging stations in the cold and breezy weather can be a real-life savior. If you want to be smart about it, you can use google maps; with this, you will be able to locate the nearest charging station beforehand and plan your journey accordingly.

Say no to self-driving mode

Although the self-driving mode is a cool feature to have in electric vehicles in cold and challenging weather conditions, it is not recommended. The important thing is for you to have control and the ability to assess the road during winters.

By using the self-driving mode, you can quickly become more reliant on it compared to the manual driving mode.

The impact of cold weather on an electric vehicle

It’s important to know how do electric cars work in cold weather and want strategies you need to use to make your car more efficient in winter.

The way you drive and how fast you drive are going to determine how much battery you will lose, and the faster you go, the more your battery will drain faster.

The theory of aerodynamics states that a vehicle’s drag increases at higher speeds, and it requires more force to overcome the same effect.

Also, don’t forget to take advantage of eco mode. Eco mode is a useful automatic mode built inside electric cars that helps to preserve battery life by dialing back or tweaking the car’s performance.

Also, if you plan to have longer-lasting trips, you might want to reconsider turning on the heater of your car. You might not even need it because electric cars come equipped with heated seats that will drain less power compared to the heater.

One huge drawback to taking your car to a location that has extremely low temperatures is that your car is likely to lose more power and might not even charge properly.

With this, we can safely conclude that, yes, electric vehicles do work in winters, but maintaining them to stay efficient in the cold weather can be a serious challenge for some people, and you have to be ready for it.

FAQs

Let’s answer some commonly asked questions people have related to electric cars and the cold weather.

Why do EVs lose so much range in the cold climate?

Many people think only electric cars lose range in the cold climate, but that’s far from the truth. All types of vehicles, whether fuel, gas or electric, tend to struggle with the cold climate. The car needs to produce an increased amount of energy to function, and that is what quickly drains the battery.

Are there other workarounds to improve your car’s range?

Yes, there are. You can try to park your car in a garage rather than in a cold place outside. If you have a garage that is under even better room temperature. This helps the car to stay warmer, and it doesn’t have to use up more energy to function properly. Another strategy you can use is to warm up your car in the morning.

Mornings usually are colder than the afternoons, and if you heat your car, this will save you some trouble. Many Electric vehicles come with inbuilt apps that can help you to warm up your cars in advance. Heat pumps are another great alternative to use in cold weather. The reason is they use much less power compared to the normal air conditioning systems. Heat pumps take in the outside heat from the atmosphere and then compress it.

Can I charge EVs in rain or snow?

Yes, and if you have no option but to charge your electric vehicle in rain and snow, you shouldn’t be afraid. Both the EVs and charging stations come with protected coatings and shields that allow you to protect any degree of water mixing or short circuits. Electric cars are built to withstand the effects of rain and snow and come with a certified Ip67 rating. IP ratings are a worldwide recognized standard, and it consists of two digits. The first digit illustrates the level of protection against outside particle bodies, and the second digit refers to the level of protection against moisture or liquids.

The Final Words

Let’s wrap this thing up, shall we? Electric cars are becoming popular day by day in today’s technologically advanced worlds and just like other cars tend to struggle and come to terms with the cold and harsh climate. Therefore, it’s extremely crucial to know How do electric cars work in cold weather? Electric vehicles are bundled with a variety of features that can help you maximize range and help you deal with the cold weather. So if you ever find yourself at the disposal of the cold weather, don’t be afraid to take your vehicle out in the winters.

Related Post:

1. You may also be interested in some of the How to Get a Car in Neutral Without Keys?

2. Our guide to the How to Find Torque Specs for my Car?