Driving An Electric Car in the Winter

Winter's frosty embrace can be a wonder to behold, but it also makes life on the road hard. In an electric vehicle (EV) - which is a car type that is continuing to gain traction - this will present different challenges.

If you’re an EV owner seeking preparation tips for the cold months ahead, we've got you covered. We’ve updated our guide to winter road safety for the EV age, taking into account the unique characteristics of winter EV driving, and providing an extensive preparation guide to ensure you’re fully charged and ready to ride, snow or shine.

How Does Driving in the Winter Change in an EV?

In the winter, driving an EV throws up different challenges to an internal combustion engine vehicle. Firstly, electric cars tend to weigh more due to their heavy batteries, meaning drivers should exercise extra caution on icy roads.

In cold weather, EV batteries don't perform as efficiently; not only is their capacity diminished, but charging times can increase too. While a rapid charge might usually wrap up in 30 minutes, winter conditions could stretch this out to 45 minutes. Traditional petrol or diesel vehicles can expect up to a 20% drop in fuel economy as temperatures drop, but EVs can see a more significant dip. In fact, when researchers tested EVs at -6°C with the heating on, they observed an average range drop of a whopping 41%. Thankfully, using settings such as eco-driving modes can offer a silver lining, helping to boost efficiency during those chilly drives.

How Good Are Electric Cars in the Snow?

Electric cars have a number of modes and technologies that make them adept in driving in snow, rain, sleet and other winter conditions. If you have an electric car yourself, you’ll know how fast the acceleration has the potential to be. However, in the snow, this works against you and can cause immense wheelspin. To counteract this, your EV will likely have a dedicated “winter” driving setting which places heavy emphasis on traction control and reduces wheelspin.

Tyres are the point of contact between you and the road, so it is vital to get the right ones equipped. Not only are EVs compatible with winter tyres, but there are EV winter tyres with unique characteristics for heavy and quick electric cars, such as having optimal grip, minimal rolling resistance and a larger load capacity. Many electric vehicles have a four-wheel drive (4WD) drivetrain which sends power to all four wheels, in the process improving grip that can be critical for snow and ice driving. This is further improved by the vehicle’s driving modes, as some EVs also have a “winter” setting specifically designed for winter driving and improve traction in icy conditions.

Preparing Your Electric Car For the Winter

Before setting out on any journey in the cold, potentially slippery conditions of wintertime, make sure your EV is in optimal working order. Here are some ways in which you can do so:

Winter Tyres

With the high output of electric cars, winter tyres are essential for using EV power safely in colder, slipperier conditions. Winter tyres have a different tread pattern to standard summer or all-weather tyres, with deep grooves called “sipes” that siphon away clumps of snow to maintain tyre grip on the road.

For peace of mind, purchase a set of winter tyres from LK Performance. Created using a special rubber compound that performs better in cold weather conditions, our winter tyres improve braking performance and reduce stopping distances on wet roads by up to 10% and as much as 20% on snow-covered roads. This could be the difference between an unscathed journey and an accident. Browse our winter tyre range today.

Once you have winter tyres on, you should regularly check them to ensure that they are at the correct pressure, free of road salt and are no less than the legal minimum tyre tread depth of 1.6mm (although a minimum of 2mm is recommended).

Battery Life

There are a number of ways to conserve battery life in the winter climate. For one, storing the car in a garage or in the sun during the daytime will keep the battery in the optimal heat window (between 15°C and 35°C).

Pre-heating the battery before driving will help warm the battery up so it is at the ideal temperature when setting off. Remote start is an option on most EV smartphone apps, and you should turn on the vehicle ignition half an hour before setting off, whilst the car is still charging. You can also conserve the battery life when driving. Using heated seats and a heated steering wheel rather than heat from the air conditioner is more energy efficient.

Liquid Internals

Checking brake fluid and coolant (aka antifreeze) regularly is vital to a car’s continued operation. Check levels frequently, and top up fluids if needed with what your vehicle handbook says are the best types to use.

Lights and Electric

Throughout the winter season, you'll be using your headlights almost constantly. Therefore, you should ensure that there are no shattered bulbs or glass and that all your external lights are functioning dependably, so you have a clear view of your surroundings and other road users have a clear view of you.

Windscreen Wipers and Screenwash

Having your view obscured by a dirty windscreen is especially dangerous in the winter, and with rain, snow and sleet on the cards, it’s more likely to happen. Regular top-ups of screenwash and inspections of wiper blades for damage or wear is the best way to prevent this. Since wiper blades can freeze to the windscreen, it's crucial to check them consistently throughout the season. Ensure that your windscreen washer fluid is not only replenished but also mixed with the correct concentration of windscreen wash antifreeze, as specified in your vehicle's handbook. It's essential to use the appropriate windscreen wash antifreeze, distinct from engine and radiator antifreeze, to prevent paintwork damage.

Extra Essential Winter Equipment

Especially in winter conditions, it is wise to be prepared for any circumstances. Pack a winter car care kit in case of emergencies:

• Ice scraper and de-icer - to remove ice from windshield

• Warning triangle - to pre-warn oncoming traffic of your presence up ahead

• Warm clothing and a blanket, rug or sleeping bag - in case you’re stuck

• Practical footwear such as wellies - in case you’re stuck in a rural area

• Torch and batteries - in case you’re stuck in the dark

• Mobile phone and charger - to call breakdown recovery

• Shovel - to clear out snow

If you are looking to fit brand new winter tyres to your EV then LK Performance has the answer. We stock hundreds of types of quality winter tyres from pedigree aftermarket brands. It can be time-consuming to search for the exact tyre for your vehicle model, which is why we have made a comprehensive solution. Use our online tyre fitment filter and enter your details found on the tyre sidewall markings, and we’ll filter our store to give you only the tyres that fit your vehicle. Browse our collection today and get a free tyre fitting at our vehicle maintenance centre so you can save the hassle and leave it to us.