The Cold Hard Truth About EVs in Winter

What happens to EV range in the winter when the temperatures drop below freezing in Pittsford? Unfortunately, an EV in the winter will lose some degree of its range when the temperatures dip. But don’t let that fact deter you from swapping out your gasoline-powered vehicle for an EV like the Volkswagen ID.4.Loss of EV range in winter is only temporary. When the weather begins to warm up and ice begins to melt, you can count on your vehicle’s electric range to bounce back to its normal range.

Factors That Influence EV Performance in Winter

So, what factors are responsible for reduced EV performance in the winter? It’s the same as with any other form of human transportation. Gasoline cars experience reduced performance in the winter due to the loss of viscosity in engine oil. When extreme cold temperatures arise in Webster, schools will sometimes have to cancel due to school buses not being able to run in the cold. To get to the point, reduced EV performance in the winter is not inherently unique to EVs. Though, the following factors in the winter play a role in the reduced electric range:

• Science stuff. You know how it goes. When things heat up, chemical reactions increase in speed. When temperatures drop, chemical reactions slow down. EV batteries are composed of lithium-ion cells, which react with liquid electrolytes to generate the electricity to power your car. These reactions slow down, thus reducing the efficiency of your vehicle.
• Electric vehicles produce their own heat. Unlike vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE), EVs in winter produce their own heat in a much more efficient way by drawing from the power stored in high-voltage batteries. EV range in winter is reduced, as more of the power stored in the battery is used to warm up the vehicle.

Caring For Your EV During the Cold Months

So yes, EV car performance in the winter is reduced–but always keep in mind that EVs of different makes and models all react to winter differently. Some EVs experience more loss in range than others. No matter which EV you have, there are steps you can take to maximize your EV’s range in the winter:

1. Try to park your EV in a garage wherever possible, especially one that has charging stations where you can plug in your EV while it’s parked. Note: always turn off the heater when your EV is charging.
2. Just as you would with any other car in the winter, warm up your EV prior to driving. If they’re available, it’s recommended to heat your car via heated seats and steering wheels instead of using HVAC, as HVAC depletes your EV battery quicker.
3. Drive at moderate speeds. It may be tempting to get to Fairport or the next city as quickly as you can, but driving fast will also drain your EV’s range in winter.
4. If there’s snow on your EV, remove it all before driving your vehicle.
5. Always make sure your tires are properly inflated.

Get Your Volkswagen ID.4 Winter Ready With Ide VW of East Rochester

When it comes to better performance in the winter, EVs take the cake over ICE vehicles any day for their efficiency. If you’re considering making the jump to all-electric, learn more about the benefits of EVs with Ide VW of East Rochester and read up on other facts about EVs. If you’re interested in getting behind the wheel of an awesome EV for yourself, take the all-electric Volkswagen ID.4 for a test drive at our East Rochester dealer… we can’t wait to show you the unrivaled power of electric vehicles!