Cold Temperatures and EVs Driving Range

As the electric vehicle market continues to boom- it is expected that global EV sales are to reach 9.5-million units within this year- there are a few tips and tricks that new and seasoned EV owners need to know in order to run their EVs at maximum efficiency during the winter.

In colder temperatures, all EVs energy consumption increases vastly compared to its energy consumption in warmer temperatures.

Germany’s auto club ADAC tested a few EVs and these are their results:

• The electric hatchback consumed 99% more energy on a 23km trip at a temperature of  -7℃ than it did at 14℃.

• The Hyundai Kona Electric, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, and the Lexus UX300e consumed between 46 and 59% more during colder temperatures.

• The Fiat 500e and the Renault Zoe consumed just 34 to 44% more.

There are a few precautions that you can take in order to increase energy efficiency during colder temperatures:

• Park the EV indoors- avoiding extreme cold temperatures while preheating a battery when it’s plugged in increases energy efficiency.

• Use seat and steering wheel heating instead of air- these systems deliver heat more efficiently.

• Think ahead and plan when you’ll need the most charge.

• The colder it gets, the lower your tire’s pressure becomes. Therefore it is crucial that you check your tire pressure. The proper pressure can increase your EV’s energy efficiency by 3 to 7%

• Employ eco mode: this mode boosts mileage through reduced power consumption by limiting the energy supply to the drive motor and cabin heaters.

By keeping all this in mind, you will be able to drive longer during colder months!