Do Electric Vehicles Work Well in Cold Weather?

Cold temperatures shouldn’t make you turn away from purchasing and charging an electric vehicle. Just like traditional gas-powered cars, there are certain precautions and habits you can add to your winter routine to ensure the health of your vehicle during winter weather and freezing temperatures. 

We’ll get into what EV owners need to know to get ready for winter, charging tips, and more.

Does cold weather negatively affect my EV?

Cold weather can have negative impacts on the battery performance and charging speeds of your electric vehicle if it’s not properly maintained.

Mileage range

According to AAA, low temperatures present two main challenges to EVs: cold air limits battery performance, and running the heater drains the battery more significantly. Because the battery needs to use more energy to do things like heat the car, the mileage range will be shorter.

The U.S. Department of Energy reported that winter driving conditions significantly reduce fuel economy for both EVs and traditional vehicles. At temperatures lower than 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the range can drop by 41%, and about two-thirds of the extra energy consumed is used to heat up the cabin. 

Battery charging time

Cold EV batteries require a lot more energy to start. Most lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to temperatures, preferring a range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Kelley Blue Book, charging a battery that has sat overnight in extreme cold might take twice as long to fully recharge.

A typical lithium-ion battery’s physical and chemical reactions happen more slowly if the unit is cold. Whether you use a level 1, level 2, or DC fast charging, colder temperatures mean longer EV charging times – and more money spent charging your car.

5 tips to get your electric vehicle ready for cold weather

Electric cars are built to withstand harsh winters, but there are a few simple tips you can follow to get your car ready for winter months.

1. Be mindful of your battery percentage

A good defense to cold weather is not letting your EV get below a 20% charge. When your car’s battery gets low, that 20% charge acts as a reserve. If your car's battery is too cold, it will need to pull from any stored energy to begin the charging process. So, just be sure to have some battery power on reserve to avoid any dire situations.

2. Find a vehicle with cold weather upgrades

If you’re in the market for a new EV, find one that has a package that includes cold weather-friendly features – such as heated seats or a heated steering wheel.

While driving, you can take advantage of heated seats and steering wheel and turn down the cabin heat. These features use less energy from your battery, giving your vehicle more battery range while driving.

3. Take advantage of heat pump technology

Some EV models have a heat pump system. This technology is a more energy-efficient heating option that can reduce energy and EV range loss. 

According to a study by Recurrent, heat pump technology extends EV range by 10%. So, if you live in a state that experiences long, harsh winters, you might want to keep this in mind when shopping around for a new vehicle.

4. Precondition your EV in the winter

You can precondition your EV by warming up your vehicle while it’s still charging. Most electric car manufacturers provide a mobile app that lets you start charging remotely. For example, Tesla vehicles have features within the Tesla app that allow them to set climate controls. This way, you keep your battery temperature at an acceptable level before you start driving, which can help lengthen the battery range.

It's similar to remote-starting your gas-powered car in the winter to warm it up before driving, but it provides benefits for your vehicle at the same time!

5. Keep your EV plugged in or plan a charging route

If you have an EV charger installed in your home, it's best to keep your car plugged in overnight. Not only does this ensure a charged car in the morning, but charging your EV “warms up” the battery so you can avoid expelling any extra energy to get the car started. 

For your peace of mind, planning ahead and coordinating a charging route is also a good idea so you keep your battery full and your driving life long.  

Best EVs for cold weather

Most (if not all) EVs are built to withstand all four seasons. However, if you live somewhere that experiences frigid temperatures and long winters – you might want to search for a vehicle with a good winter range. Some of the best EVs for winter include:

• Tesla Model X

• Tesla Model S

• Tesla Model 3

• Hyundai Ioniq 5

• Kia EV6

Each of these EV models comes with heat pump technology and has features such as heated seats or heated steering wheels. Also, Tesla has preconditioning features you can use within the Tesla App. 

Bottom line: Do EVs perform well in the winter?

Cold weather is not a reason to not get an EV, especially since colder countries like Norway, Sweden, and Iceland have the highest amount of EVs per capita!

If you are regularly commuting, be sure to follow winter tips to ensure the longevity of your EV’s battery and minimize any headaches on the road. 

If you’re in the market for a new EV, explore our recommendations or look for newer models with 300+ miles of range per charge, a heat pump system, or solid heating features.