As temperatures drop, electric vehicle (EV) charging can be affected by the cold, leading to slower charging times and reduced range. To help ensure optimal performance during winter months, it's important to adjust your charging habits. Please see the tips and best practices below to keep your EV battery efficient and ready to go, even in the coldest conditions.
Cold Weather Preconditioning: While the EV is still plugged into a charger and you're preparing to leave, heat the vehicle cabin to a comfortable temperature. Preheating the cabin helps lower energy use from the battery during your drive, resulting in better range.
Regenerative Braking: Leveraging regenerative braking allows you to slow down the car without using friction brakes and puts energy back into the battery. In certain situations, this can extend the car’s range by 10 to 15 percent.
State of Charge: Try not to go below 30 miles of remaining range or about 20% of battery. While a low battery may charge more rapidly, it is advisable to avoid fully depleting or exhausting the charge.
Maintain proper tire pressure: Proper tire pressure not only works to maximize range, but it also works to ensure that the correct amount of tire surface area is gripping the road. In cold weather, tire pressure can decrease, and underinflated tires can lead to range degradation along with safety and performance issues. You can find the proper tire pressure figures for your vehicle using either the sticker on the door jam, the tire pressure app on your center screen, or the owner’s manual.
Eco Mode: It may make your car feel slower, but it boosts range by making your car operate more efficiently.
Additional Tips
When defrost is needed, cycle the Max defrost off and on.
Keep the exterior of your car as clean of ice, slush, and road debris as possible.
Park out in the sun to warm up your batteries and the car’s interior.
Rely on the heated seats and steering wheel to keep you warm. They use minimal energy.