You've got an e-tron, Q4 e-tron, ID.3, ID.4 or a plug-in hybrid, and winter is on its way. You check the range and wonder where all those kilometres have gone. Especially if this is your first winter with the car. At Das Auto Service, people often ask me, "Kris, why has my range dropped so much?" Don't worry. It doesn't necessarily mean something's wrong with your car. The battery simply doesn't like the cold, and heating the cabin uses electricity too. The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to improve your electric car winter range and avoid losing kilometres unnecessarily.
Why Does Electric Car Winter Range Drop in the Cold?
Think of the battery as something that works best when it's warm. In cold weather, the chemical reactions inside slow down, so it can't deliver energy as easily as it does in summer. And you've still got to heat the cabin. In a petrol or diesel car, you can use heat the engine is already producing. An electric car doesn't have that spare engine heat, so the heating takes electricity straight from the battery. That's how you can end up losing 25% or more of your range in freezing temperatures, especially on short journeys. Frustrating, I know. But it's normal.
How Can You Get More Kilometres from One Charge?
- Preheat the car while it's still plugged into the charger. That way, you're warming the cabin and battery using electricity from the mains instead of using up the charge you'll need for driving.
- Use the heated seats and steering wheel. You'll stay nice and warm without using nearly as much electricity as you would heating all the air inside the cabin.
- If your car has a heat pump, that's a big advantage in winter. You'll notice the difference in electricity consumption.
- Drive smoothly, especially while the battery is still cold. Regenerative braking, which puts energy back into the battery when you slow down, is also limited until the battery warms up.
- Got a garage? Use it. Even if it isn't heated, it's still better than leaving your electric car outside all night in freezing temperatures.
Why Is Rapid Charging So Slow in Winter?
You pull up at a rapid charging station, plug in the cable and expect the car to start charging at high power. But then you look at the screen, and it's nowhere near what you expected. Why? Very often, the battery is simply too cold. The car automatically limits the charging current to protect it from damage. And suddenly you're waiting much longer than planned. Newer models have a battery preheating feature. Set the rapid charging station as your destination in the sat nav, and the car may automatically prepare the battery for charging. If yours can do this, use it. It'll save you a lot of waiting around.
And don't forget the 12-volt battery! A lot of people think, "This car has an enormous battery. Why does it need a little one as well?" Well, that's exactly where the problem can catch you out. The small battery powers the electronics the car needs before it can start. If that battery goes flat, you could be left stranded even with the main battery fully charged. The same goes for plug-in hybrids. I'm telling you this because I'd much rather you knew about it now than found out the hard way.
What Should You Do If the Charging Connector Freezes?
Nobody thinks about this problem until it happens to them. Snow falls, ice builds up around the charging socket or flap, and then the fun begins. The flap won't open, or the connector won't go in properly. A protective cover for the charging cable connector can make a real difference, and paying a little attention when it's snowing can save you a lot of frustration. Especially when you're standing in a freezing car park and all you want to do is charge your car and get home.
What Should You Check on Your Electric Car Before Winter?
- Winter tyres. Electric cars are heavy and produce plenty of torque. That's exactly why having the right tyres matters so much.
- Screenwash and wiper blades. Check them in good time, before temperatures drop below freezing.
- The 12-volt battery. Get it checked rather than waiting for it to go flat before discovering there's a problem.
- The charging cables and the car's charging socket. Give them a proper look beforehand, not when you're already standing at a charging station.
A tip from Kris Mladenov: If there's only three things I want you to remember about driving an electric car in winter, they're these: warm the car up while it's plugged in, use the heated seats and steering wheel instead of relying entirely on the cabin heating, and don't forget that little 12-volt battery. Winter itself isn't a problem if you're prepared. And when spring arrives and the weather warms up, you'll see your range start climbing again.
I hope you now have a better idea of why your electric car behaves differently in winter and what you can do to help it. It's not all about the battery. How you prepare the car and how you drive it matter too. I'm sharing these things because I'd much rather help you avoid trouble now than see you paying for it out of your own pocket later. If this article has helped, send it to a friend who drives an electric car or plug-in hybrid. Especially if they're about to face their first winter with one.
The Solution in Our Shop
Audi protective cover to prevent the Type 2 charging connector from freezing
Audi protective cover to prevent the Type 2 charging connector from freezing.
View in our shop
Audi Type 2 Mode 3 charging cable, 22 kW, 6 m
Audi Type 2 Mode 3 charging cable, 22 kW, 6 m.
View in our shop
Read More
- Charging Electric Cars and Hybrids
- Electrical Problems and Control Modules
- Charging a Plug-in Hybrid at Home: Which Cable Do I Need and How Long Does It Take?
- Why Does Start/Stop Stop Working in Winter, and Why Does a New Battery Need Coding?
- Diesel at -15°C: Fuel, Filter and Preheating
- Charging Cable Bag: Keeping Your Electric Car's Boot Tidy
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Range Does an Electric Car Lose in Winter?
In freezing temperatures, you can easily lose 25% or more of your range. You'll notice it most if you mainly drive short distances.
How Can I Get More Range from My Electric Car in Winter?
Warm the car up while it's still plugged in. Use the heated seats and steering wheel, drive smoothly and, if you can, park somewhere sheltered or in a garage.
Why Does My Electric Car Charge More Slowly at a Rapid Charger in Winter?
Because a cold battery can't accept as much charging current. If your car can preheat the battery when you set a charger in the sat nav, use that feature before you arrive.