Winter weather challenges aren’t limited to electric vehicles. When temperatures decline, all car batteries, including those in internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, encounter issues if proactive cold-weather measures aren’t taken. Preparation is key for both EVs and ICE vehicles when it comes to handling winter weather conditions.
Below are some tips on how to equip your EV for colder weather.
Keep your car covered. Like ICE vehicles, EVs tend to run better when safeguarded from lower temperatures. Whenever possible, park your EV in your garage or keep your car covered when exposed to the elements. Protecting your EV will help keep the battery charged longer.
Maintain a charge on your EV battery. Stay one step ahead before you travel and plan out when your car will need the most charge. If you need to leave in the morning and it’s going to be under 40 degrees overnight, set the charge so that it finishes as close as possible to your departure time instead of charging the night before.
Warm up your car before traveling. All cars, including EVs, run best in colder weather when warmed up first. Many EVs allow you to heat the cabin and battery before driving through “preconditioning.” This feature ensures that your battery is at an optimal temperature when you begin your journey to boost efficiency and range. If your EV doesn’t have a preconditioning feature, warm up the vehicle for a few minutes before driving to improve battery performance. Unlike ICE vehicles, running your EV in your garage or on the street does not produce harmful fumes.
Keep your tires in check. Having the right traction on your vehicle is vital for icy and snowy weather conditions and helps improve overall safety. Unlike ICE cars, EVs have instant rotation (torque), which makes traction crucial. Maintain the recommended tire pressure so your tires perform at peak levels.
Carry an emergency kit. For drivers of any car, it’s always a good idea to keep an emergency kit for unexpected situations. Some basics to include in the kit are blankets, a tire patch kit, ice scraper, first-aid kit, road flares and water and snacks.
Outdoor home charging. If you charge outside while you’re at home, make sure you protect your charging connector from freezing. Charging connectors are designed to be waterproof, but heavy snow can cause them to freeze. You can help prevent freezing by using a magnetic EV charging inlet connector cover. Additionally, always hang the charger connector according to the manufacturer’s recommendations when not in use.
With proper preparation, charging and maintenance, your EV will endure the winter season and well beyond. Are you thinking about installing an EV charger at your home? We offer customer incentives to reduce installation costs for EV chargers. To learn more about our EV Charging Program, visit pseg.com/EV.
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