The number of electric vehicles and charging stations keeps growing rapidly. As we approach the cold season of the year, when energy consumption rises and driving distances and charging speed decrease, the convenience of using an electric vehicle in winter causes legitimate concerns. Elektrum mobility expert Edgars Korsaks-Mills has examined the issue and shares recommendations to help you prepare for winter, ensuring that electric cars and their charging systems function reliably.

Effects of the cold on the performance of electric vehicles

Consumption in winter will be higher compared to summer for electric as well as ICE vehicles. However, unlike an internal combustion engine vehicle, which is vulnerable to starter malfunctions or fuel freezing in cold weather, an electric vehicle is not affected by these issues because the regular 12 V battery only powers the electronics, and the outdoor temperature is irrelevant.

Reduction in range – challenges and solutions

The range of an electric vehicle is reduced by 30–40% in cold weather because extra energy is used to heat the cabin and the electric car battery. The reduction in range will have stronger effects on the owners of electric vehicles with a smaller battery capacity because the base range of these cars is lower to begin with.

Unlike an internal combustion engine vehicle, where excess engine heat can be used to heat the interior of the cabin, an electric motor is considerably more efficient; therefore, the heat it produces cannot be used for these purposes. For more energy-efficient heating, buying an electric vehicle with a heat pump is a recommended option. A heat pump can collect and use excess heat from the electrical components of the vehicle.

Also, remember that the remaining battery capacity of an electric vehicle in winter will differ from the surplus capacity in summer. In summer, batteries run more efficiently, so you can drive longer distances. The recommendation in winter is not to discharge the battery below 20%.

Optimal battery temperature and the importance of pre-heating

To ensure efficient operation in cold weather, the electric vehicle tends to heat the battery until the optimal operational temperature is reached, which is around +21 °C for a lithium-ion battery. This is important for two reasons. First, if the battery is pre-heated, an electric vehicle will be able to run much more efficiently. Secondly, this increases the charging rate, as a cold battery charges slowly.

For instance, if the outside air temperature is -15 °C, the initial temperature of the battery will be the same. It takes a significant amount of energy to heat the battery to the optimal operational temperature of +21 °C. Short city journeys are expected to be very energy-intensive, as the battery won’t be able to warm up and will cool down during breaks in the journey, meaning the electric vehicle will need to be re-heated at the beginning of each journey.

Most electric cars have a battery pre-heating function, which helps improve the range and efficiency of electric vehicles. It will not only heat the interior of the vehicle but will also start pre-heating the battery by using grid energy instead of battery energy, which will ensure lower energy consumption during the journey and enable you to drive further distances. This is especially important for electric vehicles with a low battery capacity.

Please note! If you arrive at a fast charging station with a cold electric vehicle battery, then charging will take much more time, regardless of the capacity available at the charging station. The electric vehicle will first start pre-heating the battery and, as it approaches the optimal temperature, will increase the charging power and speed. The latest electric vehicles have a function that enables the preparation of the battery for fast charging. Some electric vehicle models will start preparing the battery for charging when you enter a route to a charging station in its navigation system.

Five tips to extend the range of an electric car in winter

Although using an electric car in winter may sound challenging, in reality, it isn’t. By following simple tips and preparing appropriately, you can ensure your electric vehicle operates just as comfortably and efficiently in cold weather as when it’s warm, with the added bonus of a warm interior within minutes.

1. When choosing an electric vehicle, make sure that the capacity of your battery will be able to meet the basic needs of commuting not only in summer but also in winter.
2. If possible, choose an electric vehicle with a built-in heat pump to reduce energy consumption and increase range.
3. If possible, warm up the electric car interior and battery before you start your journey by using the grid power. Consequently, you will use significantly less battery power during your journey and increase your driving range.
4. Avoid prolonged and intense heating of the interior during the journey. Instead, use the cabin heating mode for specific areas – seat heating and steering wheel heating, if available – as these functions consume less energy.
5. Switch on and use regenerative braking during your journey, which will help you recover more energy, and make sure that your winter tyre pressure is correct, as under-inflation can increase energy consumption.