Driving an electric vehicle in winter

The first days of snow remind us that winter is not very far away ! How should electric car owners anticipate the cold season on the roads?

"First, you need to know that there are several factors that affect how far an electric car owner can travel with a battery charge. The temperature influences the autonomy, yes, but the type of roads borrowed, the driving behavior and the weight of the vehicle too. Everyone must find the right balance between all these factors to enjoy maximum autonomy ", says Maria Desrochers, Director of Sales at Chevrolet Buick GMC Ile-Perrot and owner of a Volt.

By adjusting your driving behavior and putting a few simple tips into practice, driving an electric vehicle in winter is no more compelling than driving a gasoline-powered vehicle. You just have to know the effects of cold on the battery and plan accordingly.

Plan your commute 

The cold has an impact on the battery of an electric vehicle, as it can impact the battery of a cell phone. When the mercury falls below -25 degrees, an electric car driver may notice a decrease of 20% to 30% of its range. But keep in mind that in very cold weather, traditional cars also consume more gasoline. 

To avoid draining the battery charge with the heating unit, use the "preheating" technique. It's all about starting the car when it's still connected to the charging station, warming up the battery and living space before leaving for a short commute. The battery will be spared during the trip, and the driver and passengers will be comfortable. Also, the fact of privileging the heating bench rather than the heating unit makes it possible to use less battery charge.

In extreme cold weather, it is recommended to leave the electric vehicle plugged in at 120V overnight or use the charging timer to use the 240V charge before departure. 

In winter, electric car owners must also make the habit of adjusting their driving behavior and avoiding sudden acceleration if the battery has not had time to warm up. 

Driving an electric vehicle in winter has one advantage: it will never have difficulty starting because of the cold. 

Since the average distance between the place of residence and the place of work is 45 kilometers in Quebec, autonomy remains sufficient even in the winter time.