E-mobility in winter: What to watch out for with e-vehicles
Winter brings special challenges for e-mobilists: The falling temperatures affect both the performance and range of electric vehicles. In this article, you will find out how you can master everyday e-mobility even in the depths of winter.
Thorough technical check & switch to winter tires
Well-maintained vehicles are half the battle when it comes to getting through the winter. The brakes, lighting and cooling system as well as other important components of the e-vehicle should be checked and maintained to ensure that everything works perfectly even in adverse environmental conditions. Ideally, this should be done in advance as part of regular inspections.
Choosing the right tyres is also essential for both efficiency and safety: changing to winter tyres significantly improves traction in the cold season. It should be borne in mind that winter tyres generally have a higher rolling resistance, which can affect the range of the e-vehicle. To maximise efficiency, it is also important to ensure that the winter tyres have the correct air pressure and their condition should be checked regularly, as cold temperatures can increase wear.
Careful battery care & choosing the right location
To withstand the cold and maintain performance, the vehicle and its batteries should be kept at moderate temperatures. Batteries in electric vehicles require more energy to warm up in cold ambient temperatures, which can affect the range.
This can be achieved, for example, by using heated or at least weather-protected locations for parking and charging, where possible. It is also particularly important to regularly check the charge status in winter to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Timely preconditioning & economical use
Preconditioning the electric vehicle, i.e. preheating the battery and the interior during charging, minimises energy consumption during the journey. Some e-vehicle types have a timer function for this in order to ensure appropriate conditions in good time. This is not only for your own comfort, but also for efficiency and range. Preheating at charging stations draws energy from the grid, which affects charging costs.
Clear visibility without losses can be achieved with the efficient use of windscreen heating. Continuous operation should be avoided in order to reduce energy consumption and maximise the range of the electric vehicle in winter. However, the heating can be cleverly combined with the air conditioning to optimise energy consumption.
Adapted driving style & skilful range management
An adapted driving style can sometimes significantly increase the range of electric vehicles in winter. Avoiding abrupt acceleration and braking processes increases the efficiency of the vehicle. In addition, regenerative brakes feed energy generated during braking back into the drive battery.
In winter, the range of electric vehicle batteries can drop by up to 30% on average, which can cause unpleasant surprises. However, this can be compensated for by foresighted route planning and regular charging. Additional charging stops should be planned and it should be checked in advance whether the planned route offers enough charging stations. At the same time, the use of fast charging stations significantly reduces the waiting time when charging.
Correct handling of charging infrastructure
When charging at wallboxes and charging stations, make sure that the charging cables are clean and free of snow and ice to ensure a smooth charging process for the electric vehicle. Due to the cold temperatures, charging processes can also take significantly longer in winter - especially at extremely low ambient temperatures.
Good preparation & careful behaviour ensure e-mobility in winter
With these comprehensive tips, you can master the winter and stay mobile with your e-vehicle. Despite some restrictions, electric mobility offers an environmentally friendly and efficient form of mobility even in cold months.
We wish you a good and safe journey through the winter!