Tips: Keeping an Electric Car Safe from the Cold

Making Sure Your EV Performs in Winter

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If you own an electric vehicle, you already know your car requires some special care. That’s especially true in the winter months. So how do you keep your EV working correctly?

Here are a few tricks EV owners can use during colder weather.

1. Avoid Hail

Hail storms can be incredibly damaging to EVs. If you get caught in a hail storm, look for parking garages or other covered areas to shield your car from the elements. You may even consider building a two-car metal garage or carports if you have enough space to provide a consistent covering. This will not only protect you from hail but also other damaging conditions such as rain, ice, snow, and strong winds.

In case of hail damage, it’s important to call your insurer as soon as possible. They will be able to tell you what kind of coverage is available for your hail damaged car and how you can make a claim. Luckily, hail damage repair is not too expensive and is often covered by general car insurance.

2. Evaluate Tire Pressure

It’s crucial to keep an eye on tire pressure in general. This point will be critical when 20-degree days are ahead. Tires can lose 1 pound per square inch every time the outdoor temperature decreases by 10 degrees. That’s why air pressure needs to be a priority.

Keep an air gauge handy so you can check your car’s tire pressure. It should be obvious when there’s a leak, as your dashboard will show when the tires aren’t holding enough air. Be sure to fill them with your automaker’s recommended amount of pressure.

3. Charge Until It’s Time to Go

EVs don’t usually need to be charged 24/7. It depends on how often the owner drives the car. That’s not true in the winter, however. It’s easy for electric vehicles to lose their charge when the battery gets cold. Therefore, EV owners should remember to keep them plugged into their power source until they leave the house.

4. Drive It Frequently

It’s also essential not to leave cars undriven during chilly weather. These temperature decreases can promote issues like corrosion that cause damage to vehicles. If you don’t drive your EV as often throughout the winter, you should try taking it around the block at least once every week.

5. Heat Your Garage

It can also help to heat your garage. This effort will keep the battery warm, which makes the car charge faster overall. That said, your vehicle might heat the battery automatically. For example, if you have a Tesla Model 3, you can turn on a feature called “climate control” to warm it up. EV owners can expect their vehicles to achieve more range as a result.

6. Expect Lower Mileage

You should not expect electric cars to operate at their full capacity in winter. Instead, they may only go about half as far as usual before requiring a charge. Many of today’s EVs can get up to around 200 miles before they need to be charged. It’s smart to prepare for half that capacity during colder weather.

Therefore, EV owners should prepare in advance. If you keep your car plugged in between uses, you’ll be able to drive as far as possible. Be sure to map routes that include various charging station options so you don’t run out of power. It’s also a good idea to heat the car’s interior less often to reserve electricity.

Use These Ideas to Protect Electric Cars During Winter

EVs have come a long way over the years—but they still require a little extra care to ensure they work their best. That’s primarily true in the winter. Try these tricks to ensure your electric car stays safe during cold days.

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