CONFIDENTLY DRIVING YOUR EV
IN THE COLD WEATHER
VERDEK CEO GUY MANNINO’S RECOMMENDATION
There have been numerous articles in the press and messages on social platforms regarding driving an electric vehicle in cold weather. All are negative, most of the time written with the objective of tarnishing a driving solution that threatens the internal combustion engine. Some of my friends keep sending me videos of stranded electric vehicles in the snow trying to tease me since they know my passion for EVs. For this reason, I decided to share my experience as an EV driver in Connecticut with all the winter challenges. We all know that batteries are negatively impacted by the cold weather especially at freezing or below freezing conditions. They have the double task of driving and heating the vehicle.
I will not spend much time on the commonly known advice found on media and social platforms. From my past in the tire business, tire pressure is important to minimize the rolling resistance. Also, when possible, plan ahead of departure and pre-condition your EV in your garage, while the charging cable is still connected before leaving for your trip. Moderate your top speed.
Additionally, I want to share my personal experience as an EV driver since 2014. Winters in the Northeast can be brutal, but they never stopped me traveling long distance. My approach to driving an EV is the same weather we are in sub zero temperatures or in the high 90s. I drive my EV as a pilot flies a plane. A pilot never takes off without a plan. He knows how much fuel he has, how many hours the plane can fly, and which are the airports on the flight path to the final destination just in case of emergency landing. Plan, plan, plan. When you plan your trip, plan the routes, plan your stops. Match the charging stops with your resting time.
Plan your trip and it will be easier on the road; you will never be stranded.
Driving an electric car in the cold weather can be challenging, but not impossible. Here are 7 tips to help you make the most of your EV in the winter:
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Plan, Plan, Plan: A pilot always has a plan: fuel levels, flight duration, and emergency airports. Similarly, plan your trip carefully—map your route, schedule stops, and sync charging with rest times.
- Schedule your departure and precondition the car while it is still plugged in. This will warm up the battery and the cabin using grid power, saving your battery energy for driving.
- Precondition the battery before fast charging. This will ensure that the battery can accept the maximum charge rate and reduce the charging time. Some EVs, such as Teslas, can do this automatically if you set a fast charger as your destination.
- Inflate your tires to the correct pressure and install dedicated winter tires if possible. Underinflated tires can increase rolling resistance and reduce range, while winter tires can improve traction and safety on snowy and icy roads.
- Slow down and drive smoothly. Driving at high speeds or with sudden acceleration and braking can drain the battery faster and reduce range. Driving smoothly can also help you avoid skidding or losing control on slippery surfaces.
- Use heated seats and steering wheel and rely less on cabin heat. Heating the cabin can consume a lot of energy and reduce range, especially if you set the temperature too high. Heated seats and steering wheel can keep you warm and comfortable without using much energy.
- Select Eco or Chill mode if your EV has one. These modes can limit the power output and throttle response of the car, making it more efficient and easier to drive in the winter.
