How to Survive Subzero Temps With an EV: Tips From Our Experts

Key Points

• Electric-vehicle range is majorly affected by subzero temperatures because battery capabilities dwindle as temps plummet.
• To make sure you’re not stuck with an ice-cold brick for a car, precondition the EV, adjust your charging routine and adopt cold-weather driving habits.

It’s no secret that EVs have had a very public history of failing spectacularly in subzero temps — but they don’t have to. Yes, EV batteries are allergic to the cold and prefer more moderate temperatures (don’t we all?!), but they can survive and maybe even thrive in cold temps with a little understanding and a lot of preparation.

Related: Cold Weather and EVs: What You Should Know

As Mother Nature’s icy hands grip most of the nation this week, use our tips below to prepare for cold temps in order to lower your range anxiety and increase your chances for a safe, drama-free trip.

(And by the way, we’re not armchair quarterbacks: Cars.com’s EV ownership history started in 2011 with the Chevrolet Volt. Since then, we’ve purchased several all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles for testing in our long-term fleet, including the 2021 Tesla Model Y, 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and 2024 Kia EV9.)

Precondition, Precondition, Precondition!

• If you have a home charger, precondition your EV while it’s still plugged in. That way you’re not using battery energy, which could otherwise be used for added miles of range, to warm the cabin while you’re driving. Whenever possible, get the car’s cabin up to temperature and the glass defrosted before unplugging to maximize juice left in the battery pack.
• If you charge by using a DC fast charger, precondition your EV’s battery on the way to the charger so the battery is at the right temperature to make fast-charging happen as quickly as possible.
• Keep it plugged in. Keep the car plugged in even if it’s fully charged so it can use grid power to maintain the battery’s temperature.

Adjust Your Charging Routine

• Charge to 100%. If you normally charge to 80% at home for daily use, bump up to 100% when it’s really cold out. EVs can lose a significant amount of range when it’s cold outside as more energy is used to keep the cabin warm and the battery at a sufficient operating temperature, so it’s important to maximize the range you have.
• Make a charging plan ahead of the bad weather. Find a charging station in advance to avoid range anxiety or running out of range while looking for one. You should have a backup charging plan, too. In fact, have a couple, just in case everyone else is using your backup.
• If possible, park and charge in a garage. The warmer temps of a garage can help prevent slower charging speeds and preserve the charge for longer.
• Expect longer charge times. Cold batteries take longer to charge, so plan for that, and be patient.

Adopt Cold-Weather Driving Habits

• Dial back regenerative braking and/or avoid one-pedal driving. Avoid having an “OH SHHEEET OF ICE” moment. Regenerative braking and one-pedal driving can help maximize your range, but they can also be hazardous when it’s cold and the roads are slick, as the immediate braking force of those systems can unsettle an EV when you lift off the accelerator pedal. With these systems dialed back or off, you can just coast instead before hitting the brake pedal.
• Use Snow/Winter modes: If your EV has a Snow or Winter driving mode, use it. Instant torque is great until the road surface becomes slippery, and these modes will usually help modulate throttle inputs to reduce the likelihood of wheel spin. In addition, modes like Eco mode or Tesla’s Chill mode conserve energy.
• Expect less range. Newer EVs may be less prone to range loss in colder weather, but they’re not immune, and extreme temperatures are likely to have a more significant impact. Be safe and plan ahead, and don’t count on in-car navigation or third-party app trip estimates to be accurate.
• Turn off climate functions. Seat heaters and heated steering wheels won’t replace the full in-car heating system, but they should use less energy than traditional climate functions and can help preserve a little bit of range if you’re in a pinch.
• Stay home! During extreme weather, if you don’t have to go out, don’t make the trip. If you can’t stay home, try to remember that everyone else at the charging station may be going through it to some degree, too. Take a deep breath, and try to have some patience and grace.

Read More Electric Car Information From Cars.com:

• How Well Do Electric Cars Work in Cold Weather?
• Driving 3 EVs in Zero-Degree Temps: What Could Go Wrong?
• Our Tesla Model Y in Cold Weather: How Was Range Affected?
• Your Guide to EV Batteries: Premature Death, Range Loss and Preservation
• When Should I Precondition an EV?
• Find Your Next Car

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