Winter driving in Atlantic Canada tends can be challenging for everyone—less daylight, increased heat usage, and more challenging road conditions—getting the most out of your electric vehicle (EV) should not be.
Depending on the model, EVs can lose up to 40% of their range in below freezing temperatures. While this loss can be manageable for short-distance trips or daily commuting, it adds a layer of planning to make longer trips manageable.
Here are a few things to keep in mind this winter to get the most out of your EV:
The demand for energy to heat up a cold car is one of the leading factors for range loss in the winter. During colder days, you can warm up your EV while it’s still charging. Use grid power to warm up the inside of your car before setting out to help you conserve range; you can then maintain your preferred internal comfort with your battery charge while driving.
Extreme cold impacts charging: Your charging ability will be impacted as the temperature drops. It is suggested that you avoid charging in extreme cold, if possible. In Canada, extreme cold is classified as a temperature of -40 for 2+ hours. Colder temperatures make the chemical reactions that generate electricity slow down, increasing resistance, and making your battery work harder to charge.
Park inside when possible: Your EV will use a bit of power even when turned off to keep the battery warm for operation, and this can lead to a loss in range over time if it’s left unplugged in the elements. Whenever possible, park your EV inside to help shield your battery from freezing temperatures.
We recommend keeping your battery charged between 20% and 80% to maximize its lifespan and improve charging efficiency. This is ideal for most day-to-day driving as many of us would not require a full charge for our daily driving needs.
Stops battery degradation: Charging to 100% or depleting the battery to near 0% puts significant stress on the lithium-ion battery cells, which can lead to faster degradation over time.
Faster charging: The last 20% of charging (from 80–100%) is significantly slower than the initial 80 percent. By stopping at 80%, you can get back on the road quicker! In the time spent waiting to reach 100%, you could instead travel an additional hundred kilometers and make another short stop at different charging stations closer to your destination.
Every feature you use while driving will draw power and can impact your range. For example, whole cabin heating in cold temperatures is one of the most demanding features impacting your range. On longer trips where range may be a concern, consider warming up the cabin using grid power and switching whole cabin heating for seat warming while in use, which utilizes less energy.
Regenerative braking is a mechanism found in hybrid and electric vehicles to capture energy when braking to help restore the battery and increase available range. It is highly efficient in optimal weather conditions; however, cold temperatures can limit the battery storing this energy. When your battery is cold, regen mode may be reduced or even turned off, but as it warms up, it will return to full function.
While regenerative braking can help increase your range in optimal driving conditions, use on snowy or icy roads can reduce tire traction and could pose a safety risk. It is suggested to turn off regen breaking and use traditional breaks in these conditions to maintain traction on the road.
Always carry an ice scraper to clear any windshield ice. De-icer liquid applied along car door seams can help release frozen doors or stubborn areas. For frozen charging equipment, it’s best to apply gentle heat to warm frozen components.
Pro tip: You can warm a piece of fabric on the car's cabin heat vents, then wrap it around the charger's handles to help unstick a stuck charger. Hot water bottles, hand warmers, or even heat guns can help too by releasing handle buttons or internal locking mechanisms responsible for connecting the charger to your vehicle, which can become stiff in the cold.
Just like non-electric vehicles, a drop in temperature can impact your tire pressure. While most newer vehicles have sensors to indicate when your pressure is significantly low, a good practice is to manually check your tires once per month. This important maintenance can be particularly helpful during the colder months as your tire pressure will decrease by approximately 1 PSI (pound per square inch) for every 5°C drop in temperature.
Did you know that low tire pressure can cost you a 0.2% drop in mileage for every PSI under the manufacturer’s suggested amount? Stick with the recommended amount by your manufacturer and do not overinflate tires as too much pressure can wear your tread down quicker and reduce available grip in an emergency.
The government of Canada suggests that Canadians keep a 72-hour emergency car kit for emergencies. These items should be checked periodically to ensure replacement of any missing or expired products. Visit here for recommendations.
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