A cold engine is dangerous, but what about a cold battery?
Why are electric cars heavier than gasoline cars?
Electric cars are heavy. Seriously. Automakers are developing new battery technologies to reduce the load.
- Winter is here and temperatures are dropping, so motorists must take precautions.
- EV owners and gasoline car owners can take certain precautions to protect their vehicles and have the ideal driving experience.
If a battery electric vehicle (BEV) like the Tesla Model Y or Chevrolet Equinox EV doesn’t have an engine, do you really need to warm it up?
Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, EVs do not require oil or an engine to transmit power to the wheels and move. Instead, it relies on using electric motors and batteries to power the wheels and recharge them with energy.
Although the powertrains of electric cars can be quite different from those of typical gasoline cars, they have some things in common when it comes to making the cars perform well in extremely cold environments.
Do I need to warm up my electric car before driving it?
Electric cars do not have the same starting process as internal combustion engine cars. On the other hand, “most cars have some sort of problem in cold climates,” AAA said.
In a 2024 article, the group explained that EV batteries “lose their charge much more quickly as temperatures drop.” And the battery “does more work than a traditional gasoline engine.”
Electric vehicles need to be warmed up for optimal performance. This means remote starting (activating climate settings remotely) using the key or app and allowing the cabin and mechanical components to acclimatize for a period of time before use.
Start your EV while connected to a home charger, AAA says
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure may have improved over the years, but thousands of EV owners are using home charging systems to improve their overall ownership experience. Home chargers are the most convenient charging solution for drivers who don’t want to rely on public charging or mileage to charge their car’s battery.
According to AAA, starting your EV while charging will “maintain power and battery range.” If you have a home charger and it’s winter, the best way to start your drive is to take a few minutes to warm up your vehicle while it’s plugged in.
This process ensures you have as much battery power and range as possible before hitting the road. You can adjust the temperature inside your car to make your drive warmer while connected to a home charger, and reduce the heat while you’re on the road to conserve battery power.
Electric car owners should be wary of extreme temperatures
While automakers have addressed some of the big issues with EV batteries’ sensitivity to extreme temperatures by incorporating heat pumps into new models, the fundamental problem remains the same. EVs suffer from performance issues in extreme temperatures, so drivers should plan their vehicle maintenance accordingly when the weather gets very hot or cold.
Taking extra steps to ensure your car has enough range to get to your destination is a great way to avoid temperature-related issues. As temperatures drop, be prepared to charge more often and warm up your vehicle interior before use.
Heating the cabin of an EV requires electricity, so keeping it warm while driving can quickly put a strain on the car’s range. Best practice is to let your EV’s battery reach as close to 80% as possible before use. Electric car owners may not have to worry about warming engine oil or lubricating engine components, but in extreme cold, EVs require just as much attention, if not more, than gas-powered cars.
