Driving an EV in winter - what do I need to know?

It’s well-known that electric cars are affected by colder weather. Though this has lessened in impact due to great strides in efficiency, there are some things that you need to think about when driving an EV during colder temperatures. 

Here at My Electric Lease, we’ve got a comprehensive range of electric cars to suit all types of drivers. But what do you need to know about driving one in colder weather? Let’s take a look.

Pre-conditioning is your friend

Pre-conditioning is a function that nearly all electric vehicles have and it’s something that really comes into its own in winter. Essentially, this feature allows you to remotely warm up the cabin of the car, making it nice and toasty for your departure. One of the real benefits in terms of efficiency, however, is that you can do this while the car is connected to the mains via a plug, so you can warm up the car without reducing the car’s range at all.

If you want to find out more about how pre-conditioning works, then speak to a member of the My Electric Lease team and they’ll be happy to show you how. 

Make the most of heated seats and wheels

Once you’re out and about, using an EV’s heating and air conditioning can put a big strain on the car’s battery. Instead, it’s recommended that you use the heated seats and heated steering wheel to keep things warm, relying less on the regular heating systems. 

These features draw less power from the battery and, in turn, mean you get more range. 

Use Eco modes

Most electric cars come with an Eco mode as standard. This puts the car into its most efficient setting, reducing throttle power and limiting power usage from auxiliary components. This will, as a by-product, extend the range and make things more efficient during the winter.

Most electric cars feature a dedicated ‘Eco’ button that you can switch on or off, or there’s a setting within an EV’s infotainment system. 

Check tyre pressures

The right tyre pressures are essential for efficiency. On an electric car, under-inflated tyres can increase drag and affect range considerably, so it’s always worth checking that they’re properly inflated, particularly when the temperatures fall. 

Consult your car’s handbook to find the right pressures for your vehicle’s tyres, or look behind the charging port door - there is often a panel here which highlights them. However, if you’re unsure, then speak to the My Electric Lease team and they’ll be able to guide you on the right pressures for your car. 

Drive smoothly 

It goes without saying that driving in a smoother fashion can have a big impact on an EV’s efficiency. Be as smooth as you can when accelerating and, when approaching a gradient, try to accelerate up the hill and lift off before coasting down the other side. 

Making the most of an EV’s regenerative braking system can also help boost your range. Essentially, this feature works by reversing the direction of the electric motor, feeding energy back into the battery, which would otherwise be lost when slowing down. Around town and on country roads, use regenerative braking to slow the car down and you’ll generate quite a bit of charge. However, when you’re on the motorway - where maintaining speed is essential - it’s recommended to turn regenerative braking off to allow the car to roll more smoothly. 

There’s no reason why wintertime driving in an electric car should be a headache, and here at My Electric Lease we’ve got all manner of EVs to get you through those colder temperatures with ease. Check them out today.