An Electric Car in Winter - Practical Advice
Falling temperatures are always more challenging for the operation of a passenger car. And many people believe this is doubly true for electric cars. However, experience has shown that this need not be the case.
"My habits don't fundamentally change in winter. I just try to keep the car connected to the AC charger overnight, which then supplies the energy for the interior pre-heating function and the battery," says Oliver Manicke, head of battery systems development at Škoda Auto, on the Explore Škoda podcast.
Long-time Skoda Enyaq owner Domhnall Dods, who lives near Edinburgh, Scotland, agrees. "If you don't like the weather in Scotland, just wait a few minutes," he comments jokingly on the changeability of the local weather. And he confirms that his whims do not affect the way he uses the car. "I charge the car in the driveway of my house and always use the preheater in winter," he confirms.
The appropriate use of battery preheating is a traditional tip to extend the range of an electric car in winter and increase passenger comfort. However, the correct use of this function is also important. "During the week I have the preheat scheduled, and at the weekend I turn it on as needed, depending on how far I drive. For a five-minute trip to the supermarket, you don’t need the preheat and it's more efficient to do without it," says Manicke, adding that in the future, AI features will make cars even more helpful to users in this regard.
However, there are also other tips that will lead to the efficient use of an electric car in winter:
Engineer’s advice
Oliver Manicke knows how and why an electric car battery behaves, so he brings tips that are based on the nature of the internal processes in the battery.
Keep the battery charged to at least 20 - 40%
The advice of Škoda Auto engineers is to push the traditional value of the minimum battery charge a little in winter. The common advice is not to let the charge level drop below 20%, but in winter you can increase this value to 40% before your journey. "This is a value that, given the chemical processes in the battery, ensures that the car has enough energy even for fast driving on the highway without prior preheating," explains Manicke. At the same time, the standard maximum should be 80% charge, and it is advisable to charge the battery to 100% only before a longer trip.
Plan a longer journey
Manicke recommends planning longer routes, especially to unfamiliar places, either via a mobile or web application, or directly in the car. "When calculating the route, the car works with the average consumption from previous days, so in winter it can take into account any greater charging needs," he mentions.
Car as part of the household
Both Oliver Manicke and Domhnall Dods customer agree that it is advantageous to have an electric car as part of your household energy solution. In winter, they say, it is doubly advantageous. "In many countries, energy suppliers are willing to lower the price if they know that you are using an electric car that you can charge, for example, when there is a surplus of energy," says Manicke. So, find out how it works in your case and what your options are.
Tips from an experienced user
Domhnall Dods has been driving an electric Enyaq since 2021. And in 2024, he replaced his original with a 58-kWh usable battery for a newer 77-kWh version. "It gives me confidence, but on the road it´s usually me who needs to stop first, not the car" he mentions his habits.
Heated steering wheel and seats are great
"The really nice thing is the heated steering wheel. And my son can't get enough of the heated seats," Dods says of the comfort features. However, he adds another observation, "My first Enyaq had a Lounge interior with cloth upholstery, now I have a Suite with leather, and it feels cooler." So, he makes it clear that a car's trim does have an impact on its winter usability, and it's a good thing to consider. For example, a heat pump heating system will extend the range.
I'm trying not to strain the 12V battery
Although electric cars have a high-voltage traction battery, they also use a conventional 12V battery to power the on-board systems. It's particularly sensitive in winter, so Dods advises not to strain it: "The battery can be drained especially by frequently waking up the car via the app. Over time, I've learned not to look into it too often and that saves the battery," says SUV user Enyaq.
I switch the heating to manual
Because of the range, Dods says he doesn't have to limit himself in terms of thermal comfort with his Enyaq. He does have one tip, though. "I got it from other users and I've tested it myself in practice, verifying it" he says. "Switching the heating from automatic to manual mode will extend the range. I'm used to temperatures of around 20°C and running the fan in first gear, and the range is noticeable," he explains. "But I definitely never freeze, when I want to heat up, I do so," he adds.