Most cars suffer from worse range in the winter, and battery electric vehicles (BEV) are no exception to this, with many EVs seeing losses of between 22% and 40%.
Aside from the cold weather, a number of other things can also affect the range of your EV, such as tyre size, tyre tread, the presence of a heat pump, and even the chemistry of the battery itself. Managing range in an EV might seem like a headache, but with the extensive cost-savings of recharging an EV compared to their petrol and diesel counterparts, it can still be a very worthwhile investment.
When looking to minimise any range loss in your EV, there are a few things drivers can look out for, for both new and used vehicles.
What might be the most important check (aside from the battery capacity itself) is to check if the vehicle has a heat pump. In new models they're very likely to be fitted with one, but they're even present in many older models as well.
Aside from this, the actual battery chemistry is another point. Most vehicle retailers will detail what the battery is made up of, and the battery chemistry can determine how the battery might work in different conditions. Some batteries can be charged to 100% every day without affecting long-term health, others may perform better at hotter or colder temperatures. Some may be able to deliver a lot of power all at once, and others may be better at storing more capacity in the same space. Although the battery chemistry isn't going to make a huge difference to your driving, it could be beneficial if you suffer from range anxiety and want a car that truly matches your lifestyle.
Extending your EVs range
For those that are worried about how an EV might fare in the winter, there are a few tips to help you get the most out of your battery:
- Pre-condition the cabin/battery - This is a handy feature in many EVs. Whilst it is plugged in, it will pre-heat the interior of the vehicle, as well as the battery before you start driving, bringing the battery to it's optimum temperature using energy from the grid instead of the vehicle itself.
- Pre-heating - Similar to pre-conditioning, many EVs come with apps for your smartphone, if it isn't plugged in, you might still be able to heat the battery before a journey, although this is usually only beneficial if you'll be driving for more than half an hour.
- Driving Sensibly - A bit of an obvious point, but controlled acceleration and braking can use less power, whilst also smartly using regenerative braking to get some extra juice back.
- Optimum speed - As a rough guide, the most efficient speed for an EV is around 50-60mph.
- Use Smaller Wheels - We'll talk more about this below, but larger wheels can often decrease your range, so smaller options are usually more efficient.
- Use Eco Mode - Eco mode is available in almost all cars, and shifts your cars performance to save battery, such as slower acceleration, higher regen braking, and turning off some features.
- Tyre Pressure - Tyres have an optimum pressure level, if you're above or below this level, your motor has to work a little harder to keep going, which uses more of the battery. Tyre pressure also changes depending on the temperature outside, so it's a good idea to check to make sure they're still at their optimum level.
Whilst you can't make an EV 100% efficient just yet, the above tips will certainly help to stretch your range as much as possible.
Bigger Wheels Cost Range
As I said above, using smaller wheels can actually increase your EVs range a considerable amount.
It may sound counter intuitive, as one turn of the motor will cover more distance with a bigger wheel compared to a smaller wheel, but it's true. Bigger wheels, or wheels with less aerodynamic designs, can reduce an EVs range by increasing rolling resistance, weight, and aerodynamic drag. The impact can be as big as 50 miles of reduced range per charge in some circumstances.
Now, does this mean you should fit your EV with 4-inch alloys? Of course not, aside from looking silly, wheel size is much more than just about range in an EV. Wheel size determines grip, as well as the ride-comfort of the vehicle, so picking a sensible in-between is also important.
Final Thoughts
Whilst the above tips can definitely help to squeeze out a lot more miles from your EV, it isn't all doom and gloom. Most EVs these days have more than enough range for what you need, around 250-400 miles of range is common for today's EVs. This range can easily handle your weekly driving, and with a home-charger installed, you could be saving hundreds of pounds a year compared to a petrol or diesel vehicle.
We've got lots of EVs available to fit what you need, whether you need a big SUV, a small run-around, or anything else, we've got an EV to suit your needs.
Take a look at our full range of EVs here.