Have you ever realised that the temperature can have an impact on your phone’s battery? Maybe it’s overheating in the sun and needs to cool off, or the charge is running down quickly in the cold. The same principle applies to electric cars. If you’re considering an electric car lease, don’t let the winter catch you off guard. From reduced range to slower charging, cold weather can have a big impact on EV performance.
Find out what you should do to get the most out of your electric car, even when the weather is not on your side. Want to learn more about electric car leasing? Read our guide to hybrid and electric cars.
Does cold weather impact battery range?
In short, yes. Your EV’s range will be impacted by the cold weather. The battery’s efficiency will be reduced due to chemical reactions slowing down in cold temperatures, which means your battery can’t release or store energy as effectively as it normally would.
As well as this, more energy will be used to heat the cabin, as well as seat warmers and defrosters to keep you warm, draining your EV’s charge.
The impact on EV range depends on how much the temperature drops. For example, as it starts to get colder, temperatures between 10-15 degrees will result in minimal loss of range. During a particularly cold snap, when the temperature drops between 0 and -10 degrees, there will be a noticeable loss in range – this can be anywhere from 20-30%.
Other elements have an impact on EV range in the winter, including an increase in friction and aerodynamic drag, as well as bad weather conditions requiring extra energy to move the car.
EV cold weather charging: speed and infrastructure
During the harsher winter conditions, your EV will likely take longer to charge. Many EV batteries charge more slowly when they’re cold as a way of preventing any damage. In the winter, a DC fast-charger will have a reduced charging current, taking longer to recharge your battery. Your EV battery will take even longer to charge if it’s already at a low state of charge (SOC).
The battery in your electric car needs to be warmed up before it can start charging, and when it’s cold, it takes longer to get to a point where charging is possible. This can take up to 5-30 minutes, depending on how cold it is, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time before you have to head off – we would always recommend charging overnight in the winter for guaranteed battery.
Cold weather can also have an impact on charging infrastructure, whether you’re charging at home, in public or on the go. If you’re using a fast charger, you may notice that they have slower power delivery in extreme cold. If it’s been snowing or the ground is frozen, it can be more difficult to physically plug in charging cables, so make sure you clear this before you have to set off.
Tips for planning longer journeys in the winter
Heading off on a longer journey in the colder months? Here are a few tips to help you get the most from your EV:
Plan to charge on your route
Typically, you can expect up to 15-40% less range in cold conditions. During a chilly snap, batteries tend to be less efficient, especially if you’re heating the car to keep yourself and your passengers warm, as this draws more power. Plan your route using an app, or consider where you can stop to ensure your journey goes smoothly.
Precondition the battery and cabin
Preheat your EV before you set off. This can be done in most EVs via an app—you might even be able to schedule it for a specific time. Not only does this mean the car will be warm when you’re ready to leave, but it also warms the battery using grid power instead of energy stored from charging – meaning battery life can go towards range rather than comfort.
Keep at least 20%-25% charge
During lower temperatures, make sure your battery charge doesn’t get too low. A low charge takes longer to warm up and accept charge, taking you longer to top up. Aim to arrive at your charger with around 20-25% of charge left.
Manage heating wisely
When it’s cold out, you might be tempted to turn up the heating in your EV, but try not to! Think about using seat and steering wheel heaters to get you comfortable instead of blowing hot air, as they use less power. Once you’ve warmed up, reduce the temperature to save charge.
Check your tyres
Not only does cold air affect your battery, but it can also have an impact on your tyres. Tyre pressure can decrease, increasing overall energy usage and reducing traction – which is not ideal in winter! Keeping your tyre pressure topped up, or switching to winter tyres, means improved grip and less energy consumption.
Pack smart
It’s essential to pack smart when travelling in the winter. Make sure you bring an extension cord to ensure you can always plug in. As well as this, think about keeping a snow brush, windshield fluid, and emergency gear including a blanket, gloves and a torch should the worst happen.
How to maintain EV battery health
So, how do you maintain your EV battery health to get the best from your car? Here are a few tips:
- Avoid extreme charge levels: Try to stay between 20-80% charge for everyday driving. While it may be tempting, charging to 100% or dropping near 0% stresses the battery. If you’re heading off on a long trip, charging to 100% is acceptable, but make sure you head off soon after.
- Limit fast charging: DC fast charging is convenient, but using these chargers frequently generates unnecessary heat and accelerates wear. Try and use Level 2 home charging, and save fast charging for road trips or in an emergency.
- Monitor battery temperature: As we covered above, batteries don’t like extreme hot or cold temperatures. In hot weather, park in the shade. In the cold, precondition the cabin, and avoid fast charging when the battery is very cold.
- Enhance at-home charging: Use timed charging to finish just before you’re ready to leave in the morning – for most models, you can control this through an app. This way, your battery will be warmed up and ready to go.
- Use battery management features: Depending on your model, you may be able to use battery preservation or storage mode settings. These smart features allow you to balance energy use, battery temperature and timings, so you don’t have to worry about this yourself.
- Drive smoothly: Make sure you drive smoothly to maintain battery health. Hard acceleration and sudden braking can cause heat buildup and put unnecessary stress on the battery. Taking care when you drive means you can extend both the range and battery life of your EV.
- Drive regularly: Try not to leave your EV parked for weeks or months at a time. If you’re going away and this cannot be avoided, store it at around 50% charge. Depending on your model, it may be recommended that you keep it plugged in for automatic battery management.
- Keep software up to date: Your car manufacturer will likely release battery management updates to improve efficiency. Make sure you keep up to date with and install these promptly to get the best from your EV.
Leasing an EV in the colder months
Unlike petrol or diesel cars, you’ll need to think about how winter can affect how your EV will perform. If you’re thinking about leasing an electric vehicle in the winter, make sure you consider the following:
Understand range
As we’ve covered above, the cold weather has an impact on how far you can travel on a specific amount of charge. Expect up to 15-40% reduced range, especially in freezing temperatures and consider how you will prepare for this. If you think this will be an issue, lease an EV with a slightly higher range that will get you through the winter months. Don’t forget to ask about real-world winter range estimates!
Consider your charging options
EVs need to be plugged in to charge, so considering your options is essential. Think about whether you can install a home charger, and if you can, make sure your setup can handle level 2 charging. If you can’t charge at home, make sure there are plenty of public chargers on your commute.
Ask about battery heating features
Ask your car dealership about battery heating features. Some EVs have battery preconditioning, which means your battery will be prepped and ready to charge regardless of the cold weather. This setting can reduce range loss for improved efficiency.
Maintenance and care
Consider the fact that you might need winter tyres when leasing an EV. This reduces the chance of drag and friction impacting your electric car’s range. You could also ask your dealership for battery checks or if they have any other seasonal services to keep you on the road throughout the colder months.
Storage and parking
Think about where you’re going to park your car in the winter. It’s best to store your EV in a garage in the colder months to reduce the impact the drop in temperature has. Also, think about whether you’re able to park next to a charger, which will help warm up your battery.
Lease terms and warranties
If you’re thinking of leasing an electric car, check the battery warranty coverage. This tends to be around 8 years or 100,000 miles. Your warranty may cover capacity loss in cold weather, which means if you notice the range reducing more than you think it should, your manufacturer should take care of this for you.
Cold weather can have an impact on your electric car’s range, charging and the infrastructure you use to top up. Make sure you consider the above tips so you can enjoy your electric car all year round.
Thinking of trying an EV for the first time? Our range of electric car lease deals and hybrid car lease deals allows you to find the perfect alternative to petrol and diesel-powered vehicles at an affordable price. And there’s a range of your favourite manufacturers to choose from, including Hyundai, MINI, BMW and more. Need a hand? Get in touch and we’d be happy to help.