Currently, there remain several questions about electric vehicles. How far can they go on a single charge, or how quickly can the batteries be replenished? But as is the case in the UK, one key concern is how they fare in cold weather.
We have several electric vehicles available here at Prestige Cars Kent, but if you’re wondering how they cope with chillier temperatures, we’ve got all of the answers you need.
How do electric cars work?
One of the key places to start is with how EVs actually work. Nearly all electric vehicles utilise a lithium-ion battery, which provides the source of power for the motors which drive the wheels. Some EVs have motors located on the axles, while others have compact motors attached to each wheel.
Either way, how the battery performs depends on the conditions it is experiencing. Much like any other battery-powered device, climate can play a big role in their effectiveness to deliver power to whatever they’re connected to. Essentially, EV batteries generate power when lithium ions move from the negative to the positive side of the battery.
So, how does cold weather play a factor?
During colder temperatures, the lithium ions are less mobile and take longer to move from one side of the battery to the other. The net result of this is less range for your EV during cold temperatures than when driving during mild conditions.
However, this isn’t a reason to discount EVs. Estimates put between a 10 to 20 per cent loss in range, which for many electric vehicles still leaves a decent amount of distance between trips to the plug. Plus, the UK’s winters aren’t all that sub-zero, with most parts of the country experiencing around 2-5 degrees Celsius during the very depths of colder periods. As a result, you shouldn’t see as drastic losses in range as you might in a freezing country.
What about all of the auxiliary features?
Much as when you switch on all the appliances in your home, the amount of electricity you use increases, so does the demand on an EV’s batteries when you’re using all of those comfort-focused features. Utilising the heater, demister, and heated rear screen can all pull more energy from the batteries, reducing your range overall.
Is there anything I can do to help?
Definitely. One key aspect of the cold-weather EV experience is pre-heating. This, essentially, means warming the car up while it’s still connected to the power, which means you’re using mains energy instead of the car’s power to warm things up. Then, when you get into the car, it’s already warm, so you don’t need to put extra strain on the vehicle’s batteries.
Keeping your car connected to the mains via a home charger will also keep the batteries slightly warmer - and therefore in a more efficient state than if the car were disconnected.
There are also some changes you could make when out and about. Try using the car’s heated seats or heated steering wheel (many EVs have these fitted as standard) instead of activating the heaters. Both the heated seats and steering wheel put less strain on the battery than using the heaters.
Look out for cars with a heat pump fitted, too. This clever feature helps to maximise the efficiency and range you get from an EV. Heat pumps work by drawing in colder air from outside and warming it up by compressing it at a very high pressure. Getting a car with this feature included will mean your vehicle warms up more efficiently than using just a standard heating system.
You could also see if an EV has a pre-heating navigation system. Since car batteries are less able to transfer energy more effectively in colder conditions, they can’t be charged as quickly. However, some electric vehicles can use satellite navigation to determine the best time to charge along your given route and will independently warm the batteries up before arrival. It means that when you do reach the charger, your car’s batteries will be at their peak operating temperature, and the car will charge far quicker as a result.
We’ve got plenty of electric vehicles available to check out here at our showroom. Browse our current stock to see what’s on offer or get in touch with a member of the team if you have any questions about all things EV.