Electric car in the cold: It is best to recharge it immediately after the end of the journey

Created: 10/31/2022, 06:00

By: Sebastian Oppenheimer

In winter, the range of e-cars inevitably decreases.

However, the loss can usually be kept within limits with a few simple measures.

It's no secret: electric cars don't like the cold.

At low temperatures, the battery carrier works more slowly than usual, and additional consumers such as heating and lights use up the energy reserves in winter.

With a few tricks, however, battery performance and range can be optimized. 

Electric car in the cold – tip 1: preheat

In cold temperatures, the vehicle is better left connected to the charging station or socket, even if it does not need to be charged.

This means the battery is better prepared for trips in the cold.

Ideally, the temperature of the vehicle interior should be brought to the desired temperature before departure by means of preconditioning.

And this is best done as long as the vehicle is being charged at the charging station. 

With a few tricks, the battery performance of e-cars can be improved in winter.

(Iconic image) © Joerg Boethling/Imago

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Electric car in the cold - Tip 2: Contact heating instead of air heating

Anyone who uses steering wheel and seat heating instead of turning up the interior temperature reduces power consumption.

Because seat and steering wheel heating consume less electricity than classic air heating.

In order to keep the windscreen and rear window free of ice and snow from the outside, it is advisable to use the heated rear window and, if available, also the heated windscreen.

Their use also consumes less energy than ventilation.

If the air conditioning is switched on, it is best to ensure that the air recirculation function is activated.

This avoids cold air being supplied from outside and having to be heated.

Electric car in the cold - Tip 3: Use a heat pump

When it comes to home heating, it is very fashionable.

And it is also often used in e-cars: the heat pump.

It raises residual heat from the environment to a higher energy level and makes it usable for heating.

Ideally, this works much more efficiently than heating the air with electricity.

How much the heat pump brings in terms of range in practice is controversial.

In addition, not every air conditioning system allows performance and air flow to be correctly adjusted to the occupants.

Anyone driving alone then unnecessarily heats up the empty passenger seat.

The technology cannot be retrofitted, if it is not part of the standard equipment of a model, it can be ordered for around 1,000 euros, especially for higher-quality new cars. 

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Electric car in the cold – Tip 4: Drive with foresight

A forward-looking driving style that is as steady as possible also has a positive influence on the range in winter.

If the car has an “eco mode”, you should activate it.

It limits the power when starting and accelerating, which benefits consumption and thus the range.

Driving in “one-pedal” mode – provided the e-car has this function – allows the range to be increased with an increased recuperation component. 

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Electric car in the cold – Tip 5: Charge immediately after the journey

In winter, the electric car is ideally charged as soon as possible after the end of the journey.

Then the battery is still warmed up and charges more gently and quickly - with a certain loss of charge always occurring.

According to the Ingolstadt-based company, anyone who stands for more than twelve hours should ideally keep the battery charge level in the window between 40 and 80 percent in winter.

In order to enable full charging power at a fast charging station, the battery must have a certain temperature.

This can be achieved by adapting the battery preconditioning while driving.

However, not all electric vehicles offer this function.