HOW COLD WEATHER WILL AFFECT YOUR EV CAR'S DRIVING RANGE - AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT

Cold weather risks reducing your electric vehicle's range - which is the distance it can travel on a single battery charge. Temperatures close to 0C can decrease the range of your EV anywhere between 10% to 30%. While the drop in both temperature and EV range is temporary, drivers must understand how the cold can affect their vehicles and how they can maximise their EV range in wintery conditions.

How the cold will affect your EV range

1. Battery will become less efficient: EV batteries operate best in temperatures 20C or above. But cold temperatures below 7C slow the chemical reactions inside the battery, reducing efficiency and lowering the vehicle's range. If your range fluctuates significantly, it might be a sign that your battery has been impacted.

2. Challenging driving conditions: Snow, ice, and wind create more driving resistance, meaning the vehicle consumes more energy as it moves forward. Also, regenerative braking is less effective in winter conditions, and in general, drivers tend to use headlights more due to shorter days and reduced visibility, affecting the car's battery and range.

3. Using the heating system more: Cold weather often leads to the EV using more of the vehicle's heating system, which drains it of energy. Many EVs have a Battery Thermal Management System to keep the battery at an ideal temperature, but drivers also naturally use extra energy to heat the car, further reducing its range.

How to improve EV range in cold weather

1. Slow charge your battery: To maximise the range of your EV, you need...