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

And, it’s the same every year: at the first spell of winter many cars start sputtering. It is no secret that batteries from ordinary cars struggle with cold temperatures, but electric cars also sometimes suffer from a winter dip. Luckily, there are many things you can do to ensure your EV’s range during the winter months. Below we will take a closer look at how cold affects your battery and give you some smart energy saving tips.

 

Why does the range of your electric car drop in winter?

Most people have a little less energy during the cold winter months. This is no different for electric cars. The decreasing range of your car has several causes:

• Firstly, a lithium-ion battery is sensitive to temperatures below 10°C. Your vehicle will need to charge for longer and will have less power.
• In winter, you often let your car’s heating run at full capacity. This also requires a great deal of energy.
• Winter tyres are a safe choice when it gets colder because they provide more grip on the road surface. As a result, they also have higher resistance, which in turn leads to more battery consumption.

From 0°C the battery of your EV will start to discharge itself, which of course has a big effect on the range of your car. In general, the range of your electric car is about 30% lower in winter. Want more specific figures for your car type? Check it out on www.ev-database.org. On this site you will find the range of your car depending on different weather and road conditions.

 

What you can do about it…

 

before you leave

• Park your car inside as much as possible

Do you have the opportunity to park your electric car inside? Make sure to do so! The battery of your car will be grateful.

• Keep your car connected as much as possible

Keep your car permanently connected to the mains when parked. After all, your car’s battery also loses energy – albeit a little – if you don’t drive it. It is recommended not to charge more than 90% because your battery will also suffer from it. Some EVs even have a feature that allows you to set the maximum load capacity.

• Preheat your electric car

Keep an eye on the weather forecast and take precautions if the mercury drops. Preheating your car can save you a lot of misery. Switch on the preheat function and wait until your EV is nice and warm. This is not only more agreeable for you, but also for your battery. It does not have to start cold and therefore consumes less energy when you leave. Important: charge your car on the mains when you preheat it. In this way, you do not use energy from your battery and your car starts up sufficiently charged.

 

during the ride

• Charge your car sufficiently

Ready to go? Be sure to check the charging level of your EV first. The battery must be at least 20% charged to start without any problems. If the percentage drops below 5%, you may even run the risk of the battery wearing quicker.

• Use seat heating

The interior heating of your car is a real energy saver. However, you don’t have to be cold when driving. If you have one, switch on the seat heating instead of the general heating. This is not only pleasant for your back and seat, but also a lot more energy-efficient.

• Choose an ‘ecological’ route

Your GPS can also help you reduce your battery consumption. Use your car’s navigation system where possible and choose the eco-route setting. Based on factors such as the slope of the road, weather conditions and the number of red lights, your GPS calculates the most ecological route.

• Drive with cruise control where possible

Starting, stopping, slowing down, accelerating: changes in speed also have a major impact on battery consumption. Use cruise control whenever possible to keep your speed constant. (Of course only if traffic conditions and safety allow!)

 

upon arrival

• Plug in your vehicle immediately

Arrived? Then you probably want to go straight in to warm up. However, remember to recharge your car right away: a good habit that you’ll be grateful for on your next trip!

 

And what if you go on (winter) holidays?

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.