How to heat your EV without depleting your battery
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Simple habits that help you stay warm and maintain range
Winter driving can bring challenges like snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures. If you’re heading out for a drive, these tips will help you to stay safe – and keep your EV performing at its best in cold conditions.
Why heating matters
Unlike combustion engines that generate waste heat, EVs must draw power from the battery to warm the cabin. The good news? Modern EVs offer features specifically designed to minimise the impact on battery longevity.
Check the local weather forecast
It’s always a smart plan to check weather conditions before your journey – but particularly in winter. Don’t drive if there are weather warnings on your route unless it’s essential. If it is, take care and expect your drive to take longer. Remember, conditions can change quickly – so listen in to local travel bulletins and look out for signs on your drive.
Stay warm with targeted heating
If your EV has seat and steering wheel heaters, you can use them first. They typically consume far less energy than heating the entire cabin while keeping you surprisingly comfortable. You can also pair this with lowering your cabin temperature by just a few degrees and wearing an extra layer — small adjustments that make a big difference.
Use eco or range modes
Activate eco or range modes when available. These settings optimize climate control and other systems to preserve battery life without sacrificing all comfort.
Use the heat pump
If your EV has a heat pump, use that over resistive heaters. Heat pumps are significantly more efficient than traditional resistive heaters, using less energy to achieve the same warmth.
Preconditioning is your friend
You can warm your car while it's plugged in at an EV charging station, especially before longer journeys. This keeps windows clear and the cabin comfortable without draining your driving range. It's particularly important for short trips, where heating demand peaks at startup.
Once driving, keep your temperature low and consistent rather than blasting maximum heat initially. This steady approach uses less power overall.
Precondition to clear windows
Clear windows efficiently by preconditioning at a charging station or at your home rather than relying on demisters during your drive. This way you can save power by drawing energy directly from grid to defrost your windows.
Plan your charging stops
Plan your stops at EV charging stations around longer journeys so you can heat comfortably without worry - taking advantage of preconditioning while plugged in is key. And don’t forget, you can always use the bp pulse app to easily find the nearest EV charging stations along your route.
Heating doesn't have to drastically reduce EV range. With smart habits and the right use of your EV’s features, you can stay comfortable while preserving battery life for the journey ahead.
