During a Minnesota winter, temperatures can quickly fall into the 20s, teens, and even negative digits. How does this cold weather affect the battery and range of electric vehicles (EVs)? If you’re an EV driver in Rochester, Minnesota, it’s worth knowing some tips and tricks you can use to keep your EV running smoothly all winter long. We’ve put together a guide with everything you need to know.
Does Cold Weather Affect Electric Cars?
When the temperatures dip, it can affect an EV’s battery capacity, which may reduce its range. The cold itself doesn’t affect EVs, but it does require the battery to use more energy to heat the cabin. Other heating features, such as heated seats and steering wheels, use additional energy. Collectively, this increased energy can cause an EV’s battery to deplete more quickly, potentially lowering its range.
This differs from a traditional gas-powered car, which uses the engine to create heat. Conventional gas cars have their own challenges in cold weather, including decreased fuel efficiency.
If you’re an EV driver in the Rochester area, follow these tips to keep your car charged in winter.
Park in a Garage
If you’re fortunate enough to live in a home or an apartment with a garage, make sure you’re taking advantage of it in the winter. Park your EV in a garage or other sheltered area to stabilize the cabin temperature and protect the vehicle from frigid temperatures. As a bonus, you won’t have to deal with removing snow or ice from your car before leaving for work.
Be Mindful When Charging Outdoors
If you have to charge your EV outside, take some extra precautions during the next polar vortex. Snow or sleet can freeze the vehicle’s charging connector. Consider using a magnetic charging cover to protect the connector during a snowstorm. When you’re not using the charger, make sure you’re storing it properly according to the manufacturer-recommended guidelines. You can usually find these requirements in the owners manual.
Preheat the Cabin While Charging
Just like you might start a gas-powered vehicle remotely on a chilly day, preheat the cabin and battery before driving your EV in the cold. Ideally, preheat the cabin while you’re charging the EV. This method, known as preconditioning, can keep the battery charged until you’re ready to go, reducing the energy demand. If you drive an electric Kia, such as the Kia EV9, you can use the Kia Connect app to warm up the vehicle before your trip.
Limit the Heat
There are days when it’s simply not possible to go without the heat in your vehicle. But if you can, limit the heating you use in your EV on cold days. Reducing the heat can help preserve the battery capacity and stabilize the vehicle’s range. If you need to stay warm, turn on the heated seats or heated steering wheel. These features use less energy than the climate control system, minimizing battery drain.
Combine Trips
If a cold spell is forecasted, do your best to combine trips when you can. For example, you can combine a doctor’s appointment with a trip to the grocery store rather than making two trips on separate days. This method reduces the miles you put on the vehicle, which can help maximize its driving range.
Create a Plan
When you’re driving in cold weather, especially longer distances, create a plan for your trip. Charge your EV fully before you start driving. Review your route and identify some charging stations along the way. Keep an eye on the battery capacity while you’re on the road. Don’t wait until it gets too low before pulling over and finding a charging station. As a general rule, plan to charge the vehicle before the battery capacity drops to 20%.
Charge the EV Fully at a Fast-Charging Station
When using a fast-charging station to charge your EV, the battery charge reaches 80% fairly quickly. However, it may take longer to charge the vehicle from 80% to 100%. If you have time, charge your EV fully before leaving. This extra charging time can extend the vehicle’s range, which can be especially helpful in colder weather.
Other Tips for Driving in Cold Weather
Here are some additional tips for driving in cold weather that apply to all vehicles, including EVs and gas-powered cars:
- Check the tire pressure: It’s essential to check the tire pressure in winter. Cold weather can cause tires to lose pressure, and underinflated tires can be a safety hazard, especially on slick or snowy roads.
- Consider winter tires: Minnesota has a notoriously cold climate, so it’s not a bad idea to switch to winter tires for the season. These tires are specifically designed to work well in the snow and ice, ensuring that your vehicle keeps a firm grip on the road at all times.
- Clear snow before driving: If your vehicle was parked outside during a snowstorm, clear all the snow before you start driving. Scrape ice off the windows and clear snow from the headlights, taillights, mirrors, roof, and hood before you set out.
- Schedule winterization service: It’s a good idea to have your vehicle inspected before cold weather arrives. At our service center in Rochester, our qualified technicians can take a look at your vehicle’s tires, wiper blades, battery, and more to make sure it’s ready for winter.
Find a Winter-Ready EV at Tom Kadlec Kia
Don’t let winter hold you back from driving the EV of your dreams. When you follow these tips and plan your trip, you can confidently drive an EV in every season. At Tom Kadlec Kia in Rochester, Minnesota, we have a wide variety of EVs on our lot. Our sales team can answer your questions and help you find the right EV for your family. If you’re considering a switch to an EV, we also provide helpful resources you can use to learn about charging, range, and maintenance. Do you have other questions? Contact us today.
_mg_0386 by Michael Hicks is licensed with CC BY 2.0 DEED
Connect with us
Recent Blog Entries
Categories
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.