How cold weather can impact your EV’s range
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What to expect as the mercury drops – and what you can do about it
As winter sets in, your EV might feel the chill (just like you!). Colder temperatures can affect your EV’s range (how far you can drive before you need to top up) and the rate at which it can charge. Although these effects might not be significant – and depend on your EV make and model – it’s wise to be prepared, so you can enjoy a winter of cozy EV drives.
What’s the impact of cold weather?
The battery effect: Your car’s lithium-ion battery relies on chemical reactions to generate power. Cold weather slows down these reactions, making the battery less efficient. This means the same charge might give you fewer miles – expect a range reduction of around 10-30% in cold UK conditions, compared to mild weather.
The cabin heater tax: Unlike a petrol or diesel car that uses waste engine heat to warm the cabin, EVs have to draw power directly from the battery for heating and demisting the windscreen. This can be one of the biggest factors in reducing your range.
The battery’s own thermostat: To perform optimally and charge at speed, your EV’s battery pack often needs to be warmed up. Your car’s thermal management system uses energy from the battery to do this, which could reduce range, especially before charging or at the start of a journey.
Charging speed can slow: A cold battery can’t accept a charge as quickly as a warm one. When you plug into a rapid or ultrafast charger on a freezing day, some of the initial energy may go into warming the battery before your car can charge at its fastest rate.
What can you do?
Precondition while plugged in: Pre-heating your car’s cabin and battery while it’s connected to a power source means you draw energy from the grid – not your battery. That can help you start your journey with both a warm car, and full battery, ready to go!
Stay warm with seat and steering wheel heaters: Heated seats and steering wheels typically use less energy to keep you warm compared to blasting the main cabin heater. So, if you’re worried about range, think seat and steering wheel first for heating.
Drive smoothly: In wet or icy conditions, accelerating or braking sharply can make your EV work harder – consuming more energy. Opt for a gentle driving style, making the most of regenerative braking, to maximize efficiency.
Check tyre pressure: Cold weather naturally causes tyre pressure to drop. This can increase rolling resistance, making your EV work harder. For optimal performance, check your tyre pressure regularly to ensure that it matches the manufacturer's recommended level.
Park where your car stays warm: When possible, park your EV in a garage, carport, or covered space. Starting from a warmer environment reduces the amount of power the vehicle needs to use to heat your battery and cabin before setting off, helping you to preserve range.
Plan your rapid and ultrafast charges: If you’re topping up on a longer winter journey, consider pre-conditioning your battery before you arrive at the charger. That way, your battery will be optimal temperature – helping your car charge at a higher rate when you plug in.
Looking for your nearest EV chargers? Download the bp pulse app free to search our network – plus, filter by speed, connector type, availability and more.
