Electric vehicle batteries don’t like environments that are too hot or too cold. The ideal temperature range for a battery is about 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and if it goes too far outside that range, the battery efficiency will decrease.
There are 4 things to note about driving an electric vehicle in cold weather：
1. Proper use of heaters
2. Car preheating
3. Select parking location
4. Maintain battery capacity
Use Seat Heaters Instead of Electric Vehicle Heaters
Seat and steering wheel heaters use less energy than heating the entire car.
For the driver, there is not much difference in the experience of heating only the driver’s seat and heating the entire car.
Preheat Your Car
Most electric vehicle come with a car remote control app where you can start heating the electric vehicle’s cabin some time before you get in the car.
It’s a win-win: you get a more comfortable cabin, and the battery can be heated to a more efficient temperature.
Park Your Car in the Garage
When you’re out and about, you should choose to park in a parking lot rather than outside, preferably in a parking lot that’s a little warmer for your battery.
Keep electric vehicle charged above 20%
When it’s cold outside, your BMS retains a certain percentage of battery power to warm itself up.
This percentage varies from vehicle to vehicle, so it’s best to refer to your car’s manual, but a good rule of thumb is to try and keep the battery state of charge (SoC) above 20%.
We hope this article helps you beat the driving cold.
Want to know more? Check out our charging basics page and click here to find EV charger!
