Electric cars are brilliant, but winter is the season that tests them. Cold weather eats into range, charging slows down, and running flat leaves you with very different options to a petrol driver. If you drive an EV, a little know-how keeps you moving through the cold, and a plan for the worst means you’re never truly stuck.
Why EV range drops in the cold
Lithium batteries simply don’t perform as well when they’re cold, and a chunk of energy goes into warming the cabin and the battery itself rather than turning the wheels. It’s normal to see 20 to 30 percent less range in a hard frost, more if you’re on the motorway with the heater blasting. This isn’t a fault, it’s chemistry, and range returns as temperatures rise.
How to protect your range
- Precondition while plugged in. Warm the cabin and battery on mains power before you set off, so you leave with a full charge and a warm system.
- Use the heated seats and wheel rather than blasting the cabin heater, they use far less energy for the same warmth.
- Keep the state of charge higher in winter. Don’t run it down to the last few percent when the cold is already cutting range.
- Ease off the motorway pace. High speed plus cold plus heating is the fastest way to drain an EV.
Charging in winter
A cold battery charges more slowly, especially on rapid chargers, so factor in extra time on long trips. Preconditioning for a rapid charge (many EVs do this automatically when you route to a charger) warms the battery so it accepts charge faster. Plan your stops and don’t rely on arriving with just a mile or two to spare, winter margins should be generous.
What to do if your EV stops
If you run out of charge or the car develops a fault, the golden rule is simple: an EV must never be recovered on a conventional tow with its driven wheels on the road, as that can seriously damage the motor and transmission. It needs to be lifted fully onto a flatbed. This is exactly what our electric vehicle recovery service is built for. Our vetted drivers know how to load and transport EVs safely, whether you’ve stopped on the drive or on the hard shoulder.
K9 Recovery and Transport covers you wherever you are, with 3,000 vetted drivers nationwide, no membership, full insurance and the keenest price in the UK because drivers compete for your job. Any time, any place, any vehicle, any situation, if it’s broken down we can move it, EVs, hybrids, cars, vans and everything beyond. We’re rated 4.9/5 from 200+ Google reviews.
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Frequently asked questions
How much range will I lose in winter?
Typically 20 to 30 percent, sometimes more on fast, cold motorway runs with the heater on. Preconditioning while plugged in and using heated seats instead of cabin heat helps claw a lot of that back.
Can you tow an electric car like a normal one?
No. An EV should be transported on a flatbed with all wheels off the ground to avoid damaging the drivetrain. Our EV recovery service does exactly that, so your car arrives safely.
What happens if my EV runs out of charge on the road?
Unlike a petrol car, you can’t just top it up with a can. Get to safety and call us, we’ll flatbed it to a charge point, your home or a garage, wherever suits you.
Does the 12V battery still matter in an EV?
Yes. EVs still have a 12V battery that powers electronics and “wakes” the car, and it can go flat in the cold just like any other. If your EV is dead with no response, that little battery is often the cause, and we can help.