With electric vehicles (EVs) becoming increasingly mainstream, there are a lot of people that wonder how they perform in colder environments. Winter driving is its own set of challenges, especially for EVs, which can see range and efficiency dips in the cold.
Devices and design have improved some, though, and there are a few models that excel during winters.
In this article, we will cover the top EVs for driving in winter, looking at the differences in features, performance, and how to increase efficiency in cold weather.
What is the Influence of Cold Weather On Ev’s?
Electric vehicles perform poorly in cold weather. Some of the main reasons are:
Battery Chemistry
Cold temperatures can slow the chemical reactions inside lithium-ion batteries, which in turn may reduce the amount of power available for driving.
This is an implication that EVs may not be as effective in the winter as they could be during the warm period.
Heating Requirements
While it’s easy enough for conventional internal combustion engine cars to take waste heat from the engine and use it to heat the vehicle’s cabin, EVs have no such luxury and have to draw power from the vehicle’s battery pack to do so. This excess energy requirement can additionally reduce the range of the vehicle.
Increased Air Density
“Cold air is heavier than warm air, so it causes the truck to be less aerodynamic. This makes it harder to maintain a high speed, hurting range as well.
Important things to consider about winter-capable EVs
However, some different features to look for in an electric car for winter driving include:
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps work more efficiently than resistive heaters as they’re able to transfer heat from ambient air to heat the cabin.
This may save substantial amounts of energy and support for a more stable range in cold conditions.
Preconditioning Capabilities
A lot of modern EVs also have preconditioning abilities for drivers to warm the cabin and battery whilst the car is still plugged in.
This allows the vehicle to be warm and ready to go withoutrunning the battery dead by driving.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
AWD packages send power to all four wheels, making them great for winter driving—they offer greater traction on slick surfaces. Many EVs now offer AWD, an option that can help when the roads are covered in snow or ice.
Best Electric Vehicles for the Winter Road Ahead
Depending on factors like performance, features, and reader commentary, below you’ll find the best electric cars suitable for winter driving.
1. Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is a capable CUV with long range and good winter performance. Key features include:
- Heat Pump: This one’s big — Model Y has a heat pump to improve cabin heating. Extremely important for anyone with a car that lives in a cold environment.
- 4WD: Optional 4-wheel drive gets you better traction in poor weather.
- Preconditioning: The Tesla app lets you preheat the cabin and battery to get the range up to a usable level before departing.
2. Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is also a great option for winter traction. Its features include:
Heated Seats and Steering Wheel: Keep warm without adding to the load on the cabin heating system.
- All-Wheel Drive: Available AWD to handle winter better from the Mach-E.
- Scheduled Departure: Set the departure time to have the vehicle warm and fully charged.
3. Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is unique for being set apart by its pioneering design and technology. Notable features include:
- Heat Pump: The Ioniq 5 features a heat pump, which warms the cabin in a more efficient manner.
- Preconditioning: This enables the vehicle to warm up while it remains plugged in so that the battery never depletes.
All-Wheel Drive: AWD is an option, which is better for snowy traction.
4. Audi e-tron
The Audi e-tron is a high-end luxury SUV that is good in the winter. Its advantages include:
- Heat pump: The e-tron comes with a heat pump to ensure efficient heating.
- All- and Front-Wheel Drive: AWD is included, helping keep the vehicle steady on snowy roads.
Seat Warmers and Heated Steering Wheel It’s just that much warmer inside during the winter.
5. Nissan Ariya
The Nissan Ariya is a new entry in the EV segment, but it looks strong in the snow. Key features include
Heated Seats and Steering Wheel: Keep the comfort up as the energy use stays down.
- All-Wheel Drive: There’s also an AWD version of the Ariya for better all-terrain traction.
- Preconditioning: Customers can pre-heat the cabin and battery before driving, even when the vehicle is being charged.
How to Extend EV Range in Cold Weather
To make matters worse, your electric vehicle’s range dips in winter. Here are five tips to help you maximize your electric vehicle’s performance in winter.
Preheat While Plugged In
If possible, pre-warm your car while it is still plugged in. This way you could run a warm cab internally and not waste battery power by heating up.
Use Heated Seats and Steering Wheel If you can, turn on heated seats and a heated steering wheel.
Rather than blasting the cabin heat, make use of heated seats and steering wheels. And the opt features are also more energy-efficient and can help increase comfort.
Monitor Tire Pressure
Drop in cold tire pressure can also have a negative effect on range. Always do a regular check and maintenance to have the right and the best tire air pressure.
Drive Conservatively
Many EV owners have found that just slowing down a few miles per hour can go a long way toward increasing range. Also practice accelerating and braking smoothly, as this will make the most of regen braking benefits.
Remove Excess Weight
If at all possible, get rid of all unnecessary things from your car. The extra weight can mean lost efficiency, especially in winter months.
Charging Considerations in Winter
In cold weather, charging an electric vehicle may take longer than it does when the weather is warmer. Certainly you want to make sure your watch charges efficiently. Here’s how to do that:
Use a Level 2 Charger
Switching to a Level 2 charger will accelerate charging, meaning it will be easier to maintain a full charge in your vehicle for winter driving.
Keep Your EV Plugged In
If you have a garage or carport, keep your EV plugged in overnight during cold snaps. This can help to keep battery temperature and damage in check.
Precondition Before Charging
If you know you will be DC fast charging, precondition your battery so it is in the ideal temperature range for charging. This may be used to decrease the charge time, thereby increasing the efficiency of charging.
Conclusion
Electric vehicles are becoming more and more practical for winter driving as technology and design improve.
But with the right model and the kind of features that cars make use of today, such as heat pumps, preconditioning, and AWD, we certainly have a bit of preparation to make the winter drive as comfortable and efficient as possible.
With the right precautions, EV owners will be able to drive comfortably in colder areas without losing range or performance.
To summarize, the best EVs for winter driving come with advanced heating systems, balanced energy strategies, and improved traction.
With the market maturing, more choices will be available, allowing consumers to identify the electric vehicle for them, no matter what they might be driving in the cold of winter.