Tips to be economical with the battery consumption of your EV in winter

There are several reasons why your car's range decreases:

• Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to temperatures below 10°C. Your vehicle will need to charge for longer and will have less power.
• In the winter, you often run your car’s heating at full capacity. This also requires a great deal of energy.
• Winter tires are a safe choice when it gets cold because they provide more grip. However, they also have higher resistance, which leads to increased battery consumption.

Below 0°C, the battery of your EV will start to discharge sponteneously, which significantly affects your car's range.

In general, electric cars have about a 30% lower range in winter.

Want more specific figures for your car? Check www.ev-database.org for more information.

Preheat your electric car

Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and take precautions if temperatures drop. Preheating your car can save you a lot of trouble. Turn on the preheat function and wait until your EV is nice and warm. This is more comfortable for you and your battery. It won't have to start from a cold state, so it will consume less energy when you leave.

Important: Charge your car from the grid when you preheat it. This way, you won't use energy from your battery, and your car will start up sufficiently charged.

Plug in your vehicle immediately

Arrived? You probably want to go straight inside to warm up. However, remember to recharge your car right away. It's a good habit that you'll be grateful for on your next trip!

Are you going on a ski holiday or are you heading to another (distant) destination this winter? Make sure to check the location of charging points along the way so that you can plug in your car in time.

At Alphabet, we also offer you the option of temporarily exchanging your electric car for another means of transport. Be sure to check Add-on Mobility and discover more about this service.