Cold weather reduces the range of electric vehicles (EVs) and makes charging more challenging. Do you know how to charge your EV efficiently when temperatures drop?
To charge an EV efficiently in cold weather, preheat the battery, use a DC charger, and avoid letting the battery run low. These steps help maintain optimal charging performance while safeguarding the battery.
Let’s explore how to charge your EV efficiently during winter and overcome cold weather challenges.
1. How Does Cold Weather Affect EV Batteries?
Chemical reactions within lithium-ion batteries slow down in cold weather, which affects both the ability to acquire and to release energy, leading to reduced battery range and slower charging.
·Battery degradation risks: Prolonged exposure to cold can damage the long-term performance of your generator.
·Charging rate limitations: In cold weather, electric vehicle charging speed can be limited to protect the battery. Electric vehicles may take longer to charge, and the range achieved from a full charge may be lower.
2. Use Preheating to Boost Charging Efficiency
You can improve charging when it’s cold by pre-warming the battery. Some plug-in vehicles provide a pre-conditioning function to warm the battery before plugging in.
·How it works: Use your car’s app or control panel to preheat the battery together with the car.
·Charging efficiency: Preheating the battery shortens how long it takes to charge the car. It can also make a DC fast charger or an AC charger work better.
Abstract: Preheating speeds up the charge and makes charging more efficient during cold weather.
3. Prioritize DC Fast Charging Stations
This is exactly what a DC fast charger does. It sends high-voltage electric power directly to the car’s battery, and can decrease your charge time. This can be helpful in the winter when you might have to stop and charge more often because charging is slow.
·Why it works better: A DC charger doesn’t use the battery on the car, so it charges the same, even in the winter when it’s cold.
·Fast charging caution: While this faster charge helps in the winter, using fast chargers a lot can wear the battery out quickly
Abstract: A DC fast charger is going to be the most efficient for you, especially in the winter.
4. Are There Specific Types of Charging Stations That Work Better in Cold Weather?
Yes, winter is one of the times when DC charging is best. If you plug your car in to an AC charger, the power has to go through the system inside your car. That system can be less efficient when it’s cold. However, a DC fast charger doesn’t have those inefficiencies.
·Charging alternatives: You can still use an AC charger, but it will take longer to charge when it’s cold outside.
·Best winter option: If you can use a DC fast charger, use that in the winter.
Abstract: DC chargers provide faster charging in cold weather compared to AC chargers.
5. Optimizing Your Range and EV Charging in Cold Weather
Your range will be shorter if it’s cold outside, but there are things you can do to get the most out of each charge.
·Regular charging: Top off the battery often to prevent deep discharges, which can worsen cold-weather performance.
·Driving adjustments: Use the Eco mode and don’t turn the heat up so high.
Abstract: Charge regularly and drive efficiently to maintain optimal battery range in winter.
6. What is the Best Temperature for Fast Charging?
The ideal temperature for rapid charging is between 20°C and 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Batteries charge slower outside of this range (either too hot or too cold).
·Preconditioning tip: In the case of cold weather, preheat the battery to improve the situation.
·Effect on performance: DC fast chargers can work within those temperatures best.
Abstract: Fast charging is most efficient between 20°C to 25°C.
7.How Cold is Too Cold to Charge a Car Battery?
Charging will be slower, and it could cause stress to the batteries with temperatures below -10°C. Some vehicles may refuse to charge with temperatures like that because of the potential for damage.
·Winter risk: If the temperature of the battery becomes too low, it can freeze and suffer permanent capacity loss.
·Charging advice: Park your car in a warm location, or use preheating to warm the battery before you charge it in cold conditions.
Abstract: Below -10°C, EV charging becomes difficult and may harm the battery.
8. What Are the Problems with Charging an EV in Cold Weather?
Cold temperatures impact both charging speed and the health of your battery. You’ll store less energy, which means you will need to charge the vehicle more often, and the whole process takes longer.
·Longer charging times: In the winter, it might take twice as long to charge your vehicle.
·Energy loss: Cold batteries store less energy, so it’s like having less range.
·Battery stress:Charging in freezing conditions will accelerate the degradation of the battery.
Abstract: Winter charging comes with slower speeds, reduced range, and higher battery stress.
9.Avoid Letting the Battery Run Too Low
During the winter, it is essential to maintain a buffer charge in the battery to avoid problems. When battery levels get too low, you have a real risk of freezing.
·Keep at least 20%: Keeping the level above 20% will do a lot to maintain your battery’s health.
·Prevent shutdowns: When it gets cold and your battery gets too low, sometimes the car won’t let you start it.
Abstract: Keep the battery above 20% to avoid cold-weather malfunctions.
10.Indoor Parking Can Help Extend Range
Parking in a garage or carport will enhance your charging performance and help you maintain your battery’s range. Cold, outdoor parking will drain your battery faster, even when the vehicle is not in use.
·Why it matter: Parking indoors keeps the car warm, which prevents the battery from freezing.
·Alternatives: If you don’t have an indoor option, you can try parking in sunny spots or using a car cover to help insulate the car.
Abstract: Sheltered parking helps retain battery range and charging efficiency.
Conclusion
To charge in the cold, you’ll need to prep your car. Some ways to do this are to preheat your battery if your EV has a setting, use fast DC chargers, keep battery a buffer level charge, and drive efficiently. If you know you’re going to be driving a lot, be sure to do all of these to maximize winter efficiency.
