With very cold temperatures comes a number of challenges for the owners of electric vehicles.
… cold air limits battery performance, and running the heater drains the battery. As temperatures go below freezing, some drivers accustomed to traveling 250 miles on a single charge have seen their car’s range drop to 180 miles.
Conditions vary depending on the make and model you drive. But you’ll want to maximize your car’s range for winter driving as much as possible. So, what’s the solution?
Green Car Reports recommends that you keep the battery plugged in, even once the vehicle is fully charged, to stabilize the temperature of the battery pack while the car is sitting at home.
Also:
- Use seat heaters in lieu of cabin heaters since they tend to drain the battery quickly.
- Preheat the cabin prior to departure to preserve your battery while on the road.
- Store your vehicle in the garage because it tends to be a few degrees warmer than outdoors.
Whether you choose to plug the car in for a few hours or the entire day, keep in mind the minimal charging times so you won’t get stuck with a drained battery.
Do you have any other tips for maximizing the miles between charges of your electric vehicle? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
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