04:42 28-01-2026

Winter EV preparation guide: maximize range and charging

Extreme cold significantly impacts any battery's performance, and electric vehicles are no exception: range drops, charging slows, and the heating system consumes more energy. Experts explain how to prepare an EV for winter conditions to avoid unpleasant surprises and maintain maximum driving distance.

Preconditioning is the key weapon against the cold

If your electric vehicle is charging at home, it's best to warm up both the cabin and battery while the cable is still connected to the charging port. This conserves range since the energy comes from the grid rather than the battery itself.

When heading to a fast charger, activating battery preconditioning in advance is crucial—it will result in higher charging speeds. In freezing temperatures, leaving the vehicle plugged in is also advisable so the system can maintain the battery's optimal operating temperature.

Adjusting your charging strategy for winter

Cold reduces battery efficiency, so during severe frosts, it's better to charge the car to 100% rather than stopping at 80%. Planning charging points and having backup options is wise, since weather conditions can lead to stations being busy or operating more slowly.

Charging in an enclosed garage is preferable: a warmer environment minimizes energy loss and speeds up the process. It's important to remember that a cold battery charges more slowly, particularly at DC fast-charging stations.

Winter driving techniques for electric vehicles

To prevent sudden skids, it helps to disable or reduce regenerative braking, avoiding aggressive one-pedal driving on slippery roads. Winter driving modes assist in more precise power delivery, reducing wheelspin.

On the road, calculating range with a generous buffer is essential—cold weather introduces variables, and navigation systems might display overly optimistic estimates. To conserve energy, you can limit climate control usage by relying more on heated seats and steering wheel. However, in extreme conditions, the best approach is to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.