Many drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) – and those interested in making the switch – have a simple question about the upcoming winter: are electric cars able to cope with icy temperatures? ADAC eases their worries. With advanced technology and a few simple tips for the colder months, EV drivers will remain safely and efficiently mobile, even in winter.

EVs need more energy due to the lower temperatures in winter. ADAC has found that when the weather falls to around freezing point, range decreases by an average of approximately 15 to 25 percent, and the loss of range can be even greater in sub-zero temperatures or on short journeys. This is mainly due to the increased energy needed to heat the interior and the battery. But still the range will remain largely sufficient to handle typical everyday routes without difficulty, even when temperatures fall below zero. Moreover, additional consumption is lower on longer routes, as the vehicle only needs extra heating at the start of the journey.

One of the big advantages of EVs is that almost all models have pre-heating functions as a standard feature. Pre-heating brings the battery and interior up to operating temperature before the journey begins – ideally using power while the vehicle is still connected to the wallbox. Doing so saves battery power, making more electricity available to drive the car and reducing the loss of range.

Even more severe congestion is not a problem for EV drivers in winter. An ADAC study has shown that modern electric cars are surprisingly energy-efficient even during extreme temperatures and in protracted traffic jams. With moderate use of the heating functions, an electric car can stand in a traffic jam for many hours without having to worry about draining the battery – provided it was not virtually empty at the start of congestion. So drivers need not be concerned about becoming stranded or left in the cold if they encounter a longer traffic jam in winter.

Smart use of heating can also save power while travelling by car: Seat and steering wheel heating work much more efficiently than the main heating system, which heats the air. Situated close to the body, they quickly generate heat and a comfortable temperature inside the vehicle

Photo Credit: ©ADAC/Jochen Wieler