Winter Driving Tips to Help Maximize Range

1. Park your car in a garage if possible

If you’ve got a garage, put your EV in it. (If it’s full of stuff, this is a great incentive to clean it out.) And if you’re out and want to park, choose a parking garage when possible. The warmth of the garage will help your car hold battery charge for longer and charge more quickly.

2. Warm up your car’s battery

Most EVs allow you to set a time to warm up your car before departure. This is best practice for performance because it warms up the battery and heats up the cabin. If you charge at home, keep your EV plugged in when you start to warm it so the battery’s charge won’t be utilized. Ideally, plug the vehicle in and run the heating system for 20-30 minutes before driving.

3. Don’t let the battery charge get too low

When it’s frigid, keep in mind that the car’s battery management system reserves a certain percentage of the battery capacity – generally about 15-20% – to heat the battery. Aim to stay between 20-80% charging range for maximum efficiency – and plan to charge more frequently. Also, allow for a 20% variance in your available range to be on the safe side.

4. Heat the passenger, not the car

Blasting the heat when it’s cold will reduce your EV’s range. Restrict heating to just the driver’s side if you’re driving solo, or only use seat heaters if you have them. It consumes less power than heating the whole car. Plus, those seat heaters feel fantastic.

5. Inflate your tires

The air in your tires contracts as the temperature drops and the pressure falls. Check your tires’ pressure regularly to maximize winter range. You want your car to drive with as little resistance as possible.