Smartphones tell us a lot about electric cars. At least when it comes to battery performance. In both cases, lithium-ion batteries are used: In the freezing cold, the batteries of electric cars, as well as our smartphones, discharge faster.
The reason for this is the chemical processes in the battery (you can learn how electric car batteries work here) that slows down when cold. With the battery, this means that in winter the range of electric cars can be reduced by between 20 percent and in extreme cases by up to 50 percent.
Batteries require heat
That’s why most modern e-cars have a complex thermal management system with various heating and cooling circuits. These ensure that the battery is always at the optimum operating temperature. However, range loss cannot be completely avoided. Because the cooler the air, the more energy the system needs to operate optimally. But e-car drivers can increase their vehicle’s range even in the cold with these five simple tricks:
1. Park in the garage
This prevents the battery from getting too cold. Otherwise, a lot of energy must be expended to bring the battery up to operating temperature.
2. Preheat while charging
In most e-cars, the scheduled departure time can be set in the multimedia system. This provides smooth charging until the desired departure time and brings the battery to operating temperature before departure. In addition, the interior of many electric cars can be preheated. This can be set via an app in the multimedia system or even from the kitchen table. Both preheating processes have the advantage that electricity for heating comes from the mains and not from the vehicle battery. Both work at home and also at public charging stations.
3. Seat heating is sufficient
Unlike regular fan heater, seat and steering wheel heating consumes significantly less energy. So the heating doesn’t have to run at full speed, it can even be set a few degrees lower and you’ll still feel comfortable in the car. And: The normal heater first heats the air, and only then the person – the seat and steering wheel heating has a direct and more efficient effect.
4. Use the multi-zone function
Turn on the air conditioning so that only the truly occupied seats in the vehicle are heated. With an average of 1.6 people per car, this is the driver many cars now have their own button. It is also worth adjusting the heating to circulating air, which warms the interior much faster.
5. Drive in eco mode
This saves energy and also prevents the wheels from spinning on ice and snow. Because power and torque decrease. Control systems such as ESP and ABS also consume energy.
Our expert tip
Now anyone who wants to buy an electric car should definitely question whether the model has a heat pump as standard or whether it is offered as an option. Like an internal combustion engine, a battery generates waste heat. The heat pump uses this waste heat to heat the interior. Combined with thermal management, this can increase range by up to 30 percent.