Winter is an EV's hardest season. Range drops and charging can slow down, which can surprise you if you have only driven an EV in summer. It is completely normal and not a sign that anything is wrong with the car. Understand why, and you can plan around it and avoid unpleasant surprises in freezing weather.
Why the cold costs range
Two things happen at once in winter. First, the battery works less well in the cold, so some of the energy goes just to keeping it at working temperature. Second, the cabin needs heating, and heat uses a lot of power. Together they can cut 20 to 30 percent or more off range on a really cold day.
Why the car charges slower in the cold
A cold battery cannot accept full power. If you drive straight to a fast charger with an ice-cold battery, it charges markedly slower until it has warmed up. The fix is preconditioning: if you set the charger as your destination in the car navigation, many cars will warm the battery on the way so it is ready for full charging speed when you arrive.
How to keep your range up
- Precondition the car while it charges, so the cabin heat comes from the grid, not the battery
- Use seat and steering-wheel heating rather than only cabin heat: they use far less power
- Drive a little more gently and avoid unnecessary high speeds in the cold
- Keep the car plugged in when parked out in the cold if you can
Plan with a larger margin
The most important winter rule is simple: expect shorter range and add charging stops a little sooner than you would in summer. Do not run the battery flat in freezing weather, and prefer to arrive at the charger with 15 to 20 percent left. That way the car charges fastest and you always have a buffer if there is a queue.
On FindCharger you can see the power at each station and filter for fast chargers, so you find a powerful charger that suits the short winter stop.