Guide: Winter Electronic Cars
Freezing temperatures present e-car drivers with particular challenges, as range decreases rapidly in icy outdoor temperatures
What: Ford
The topic of scope will again come to the fore for drivers of winter e-cars.
sPX / Cologne. Freezing temperatures present e-car drivers with particular challenges, as range decreases rapidly in icy outside temperatures. However, with a little caution, a cold can be beaten.
In cold temperatures, it is best to keep the vehicle connected to the charging station or socket, even if it does not need to be charged. This is what Ford advises, that is, the battery is better suited for driving in the cold. Ideally, pre-conditioning is used to raise the vehicle’s interior cabin temperature to the desired temperature prior to departure. Best of all, as long as the car is charged at the charging station. This means that less battery power must be supplied for heating. If you still use the steering wheel and seat heating instead of raising the interior temperature, you will also reduce the heating output. This is because seat and steering wheel heaters use less electricity than the interior heater needs to warm the air. In order to keep the front and rear windows clear of ice and snow from the outside, the Cologne automaker also recommends the use of a rear window and, if available, a front window heater. It also consumes less energy than ventilation. If ventilation is activated, it is better to ensure that the air circulation function is activated. This avoids the entry of cold air from the outside. This prevents fogging of the inner panels.
Audi recommends charging as soon as possible after the end of the ride when the outside temperature is cool. Then the battery is heated up and charged gently and faster. According to Ingolstadt, anyone standing for longer than twelve hours should ideally keep the window’s battery charge level between 40 and 80 percent in winter. A certain temperature of the battery is required to enable full charging power in the fast charging station. At Audi, this can be achieved by adapting the battery preconditioning while driving. The route planner calculates the time to reach the express charging station. The battery management system derives the energy needed for heating or cooling from this so that it can call up high charging power for a short layover at the charging station.
A forward-looking, and as steady driving style as possible has a positive impact on range, even in winter. If the car has “economy mode”, it must be activated. It limits power at starting and acceleration, which benefits consumption and therefore range. Driving in the “single pedal” mode – provided that the electronic car has this function – makes it possible to increase the range while increasing the rate of recovery.
If the range tends to zero, you should look for the timely charging option. Navigation systems or smartphone apps display available charging stations nearby. It is better to know in advance how charging works at a public charging station and the required payment systems.