Peculiarities of electric vehicle operation in winter

Garage storage

The most effective way to keep your battery charged, for electric car owners, is garage storage. Be sure to leave your car in the garage, as this will save the energy needed to warm up the car in the morning. In any garage, the temperature will be higher than the street temperature, which means the loss of battery charge will be less. The best option – is a heated garage. Storing the car at plus air temperatures will minimise charging time.

– Heated garage is the best option.

Recharge the battery

In winter, the rate at which your battery charges decreases. As soon as the occasion arises, plug your electric vehicle in, even if it's not yet time for the next scheduled charge. Do not switch off the power, even when the battery is already fully charged.

Winterisation reduces the battery charge rate.

Use remote communication

Take advantage of the ability to communicate remotely with the vehicle. In addition to control, the driver can switch on, the cabin heating. When the driver gets into the car, the interior will be heated and the battery level will not drop.

Use regenerative braking

Using friction brakes wastes energy, in winter it is better to use regenerative braking. Simply slow down without using the brake. This style of driving in winter will replenish battery charge and can maximise range. There are many videos on the internet that show how to use regenerative braking.

Turn on the battery heating system

Electric cars most often have a lithium-ion battery. It does not perform well when it is in a cooled state. There are electric car models that have a battery heating system that helps the battery maintain an optimal temperature balance. Using a heating system like this will help to significantly reduce the loss of battery power.

Use your climate control system correctly

If there is no garage, it is recommended to use the heating system rationally. Do not switch on all the interior heating functions at once, just switch on the seat and steering wheel heating. Heating the entire interior will use a lot of energy compared to the energy used for individual zones.

Make sure you get your maintenance done before winter sets in

Before winter arrives, do a diagnosis of the main systems and components of the electric car. Change the filter in the air conditioner, when the heater is turned on in winter, a dirty filter can cause an unpleasant odour. A specialised service station should have equipment for repair and maintenance of the car air conditioner. New equipment allows quick and accurate diagnostics and repair.

These tips will not completely eliminate the loss of range in an electric car, but they can significantly reduce the loss of battery power.