Summer and Cold Weather Tips for EV Owners
Worried about your EV battery in the heat of the summer or the middle of winter? No need to bother! The heat in the summer is going to suck it dry, and a decrease in range in cold weather will hardly help. But don’t fret!
This guide gives you insights on how to prepare your electric car for the weather in both cold and hot seasons. Master the art of cooling a battery on a hot summer day to maximize your battery range. Then, in winter, grow tricks that maximize battery life and still perform optimally. Stay one more mile ahead of the components and live and savor the time as an EV owner with our summer/winter survival guide.
In addition to understanding the impact of weather changes on electric vehicles, you can also pay attention to a topic that also requires attention: DC fast charging’s’ effect for your EV battery
Preparing Your EV for Summer
When the temperature increases, the EV must be prepared for the heat. Let us discuss how you should prepare your EV for the summer for maximum performance and efficiency.
1. Stay Aware Of Battery Health
Start with an evaluation of your EV’s battery health. High temperatures affect the battery’s performance; hence, keeping your battery in good health is essential. Check for any signs of wear and tear and schedule maintenance if necessary. This is of great significance because hot weather significantly impacts EV range.
2. Check Cooling System
The cooling system is an essential start to your EV. It maintains the battery at the correct temperature. Check the coolant quantity and ensure that it is not leaking. A sound cooling system can help reduce the impact of hot weather on the range of your EV.
3. Maintain Your EV Tires
Hot pavement results in tire wear and losses. Check your tire pressure frequently and inflate it to the correct levels for maximum range and handling. Properly inflated tires also reduce rolling resistance, thereby compensating for some of the range loss caused by hot weather.
4. Practice Parking in the Shade
If possible, charge the battery in the shade to keep the cabin and the battery cool. Blocking the sunshine and heat transfer through a garage or car shade may be used when driving to safeguard the cooling of the inside, which may help reduce the air conditioning system. Something as small as this can profoundly affect your EV’s range during the summer.
5. Don’t Employ Faster Charging
Fast charging is comfortable, but it can cause the battery to warm up, especially on hot days. Limit brief charging periods and slower charging methods to avoid overheating and increase battery life span. Furthermore, charging during the more excellent hours of the day, like early morning or late evening, helps solve heating problems.
6. Preliminary Cooling of Cabin
Before starting your trip, pre-cool the cabin of your EV while it is still charging. This helps the AC system work more efficiently since it doesn’t have to start cooling down a hot interior from scratch. Pre-cooling can enhance comfort and lower the battery load on your EV, thus saving up on range in hot weather.
7. Follow Route Planning
Plan your routes properly to minimize energy consumption and maximize range. You can use apps that provide EV-specific routing by considering factors such as elEVation changes, traffic conditions, and charging stations. Through planning, you can improve your EV driving experience and reduce the impact of hot weather on the range.
Cold Weather Care for Your EV
Before the cold snap comes, prepare your EV for the winter months. Start by checking your battery’s health and ensure it’s in good condition. Low temperatures increase battery problems. Hence, the battery’s condition must be good to regulate the output.
1. Keep the Battery Charged
Keep your EV plugged in during the cold season as much as possible. It keeps the battery temperature constant and ready when you need it. Furthermore, leaving your EV plugged in will allow you to heat the cabin with your car still connected to the charger, saving battery power.
2. Check Tire Pressure
Reduced temperatures may cause a pressure decrease in the tires, which, in turn, affects handling and fuel economy. Please ensure that you have checked the tire inflation level of your car and pump up your tires at the proper pressure level. Maintaining the right tire pressure will make the vehicle last longer because when the tires grip the road better, it will avoid skidding while driving on ice.
3. Use Preconditioning
Utilise the preconditioning feature of your EV. This enables you to preheat or pre-cool your car interior while still connected to a power source. Pre-conditioning preserves battery power by using grid electricity rather than your EV battery. This way, you have maximum range when you hit the road.
4. How is the EV range affected by cold weather?
The range of your EV can be significantly affected by cold weather. The battery’s capacity deteriorates at low temperatures. Hence, the car covers shorter distances compared to driving in mild conditions. Moreover, running the heater to keep warm takes extra energy, adding up to the EV range reduction.
5. Employ A Cold Weather Emergency Kit
Much like the emergency kit for any other type of vehicle, having one for electric cars in cold climates is a must. List some items such as blankets, warm clothes, non-perishable snacks, a torch, and a power bank. These items will be critical if the vehicle breaks down suddenly, requiring a driver to stay out in the cold weather.
6. Assess Driving Habits
Driving efficiently in cold weather requires that you change your driving habits. Don’t make the mistake of accelerating and brake hard, as the EV battery will discharge faster.
Instead, keep a constant speed and predict braking to save energy.
7. Stay updated with Cold Weather Performance
Knowing how your EV behaves in cold weather conditions is essential for seamless driving. Plan for the possibility of reduced range and adjust your travel plans accordingly. Note that the efficiency of regenerative braking can be lower in cold temperatures hence, you should allow longer braking distances.
Year-Round Maintenance
Regular maintenance makes your car work smoothly and efficiently, even during bad weather. The tips below are designed to keep your vehicle in good condition throughout the year.
1. Check Up Fluid Levels Regularly
Assess your brake fluid, oil, window, coolant, and washer fluid levels monthly. This is a suitable prevention method, so your car always runs efficiently.
2. Assess Tire Pressure
Fed up with safety and fuel efficiency, regular tire pressure checks are of paramount importance. You must check tire pressure at least once every month, particularly before taking a long journey, especially during weather changes. Underinflated tires may result in a decrease in fuel usage and handling problems.
3. Adopt Tyre Rotation
Regular rotation of tires and wear can increase tire service life and even wear by 5000-8000 miles. This means you can maintain traction and stability, even when slippery.
4. Keep Battery Health Optimized
Also, the life of the car battery may be affected by extremely hot or cold temperatures. Batteries are losing life faster at high summer heat, and battery efficiency drops at low temperatures.
Imagine leaving your car in the shade when it is hot outside and using a heater to keep the battery warm in winter to ensure the temperature is within the normal range.
5. Maintain HVAC System
The HVAC system serves two functions: it provides for comfortable living all year round and is the main factor in this respect. Ensure that dirty air filters are changed frequently and the HVAC system is maintained yearly for better performance and operation.
6. Belts/Hoses Inspection
Inspect belts and hoses under the hood for wear, cracking, and leaking. Modify them as a matter of necessity to prevent their failure!
7. Lights/Signals Inspection
Ensure all your lights, including the headlights and taillights, are in good working condition and in proper order. Replace the fused-out light bulbs immediately to keep visibility for you and the other road users.
8. Keep Up With the Maintenance Schedule
Observe the maintenance schedule suggested by your vehicle manufacturer. Inspectors can detect and care for issues that can become expensive repairs if kept undetected.
9. Ensure Vehicle Cleanliness
Routine cleaning and waxing of your car ensure no damage from pollutant elements and UV rays. It is necessary to keep the inside of the building well-clean. It should also be free from dirt and garbage. They can make a building look old and steal.
Emergency Preparedness
EVs provide several advantages, but they also raise special kinds of concerns, particularly in emergencies. It is necessary to prepare for such circumstances by acting on the following:
1. Emergency Kit Essentials
You should always have a well-stocked emergency kit in your EV. Include items like:
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Reflective warning triangles or cones
- Jumper cables or portable jump starter
- Tire repair kit or spare tire and jack
- Roadside assistance contact information
- Local emergency services contact information
- Multi-tool
- Duct tape
- Emergency whistle
- Tow rope or strap
- Spare charging cable
- Portable air compressor
- Maps or navigation device
- First aid kit
2. Stay Informed
Stay updated on possible emergencies or severe weather along your journey. Make use of weather apps, GPS systems, or local news updates to know about weather warnings, emergencies, or closed roads.
3. Emergency Contact Information
Make a notebook or save the information about contact numbers on your mobile. The contact information may include roadside assistance and local emergency services. This way, you can enjoy 24/7 assistance service.
4. Plan Your Route
Before going on a trip, map your road and locate charging points that you will use on the way. Charge the battery adequately to reach your destination. Please note that in low-populated areas, charging stations are only a few.
5. Charge Your EV
Always keep your electric vehicle fully charged, especially before long journeys or in preparation for adverse weather conditions when charging at home using a home charger. A good formula is to keep the fee no less than 50% to protect against unexpected delays and emergencies.
6. Employ Safe Charging
Don’t get involved in any accidents while charging your EV; do it safely. Do not charge in any area that may be hazardous or if it is poorly lit. Also, use setting equipment that is in good condition at all times.
7. Emergency Response Training
You can sign up for emergency response training courses exclusively designed for EV owners. The courses, however, may give knowledge on how to cope with emergencies, i.e., vehicle fires, accidents, and breakdowns with an EV.
Conclusion
Last, managing your electric vehicle (EV) in the summer and winter is considered very important for the best performance. In summer, be sure to cool the battery correctly so that it does not overheat. Park in shaded areas and use sunshades to decrease cabin temperature. In colder climates, pre-warm your EV to save battery energy and improve range.
Keep your tires inflated correctly to optimize efficiency. Make the most of the climate control system by balancing comfort and energy efficiency. Frequently check and service your EV battery to increase the battery life. By doing these, you will drive peacefully in any weather conditions.
Related reading: How to reduce vehicle pollution?
