7 tips to maximize your EV’s range and performance in winter

Park indoors

Leaving your EV outdoors in freezing temperatures, especially unplugged, should be avoided. This "cold-soaking" effect can reduce both driving efficiency and charging speed. According to InsideEVs, DC charge rates drop, and power output may be limited when the battery gets too cold.

Precondition EV and battery

Preconditioning, warming both the cabin and the battery while still connected to a charger, is one of the best ways to preserve range in winter. This ensures that power comes from the grid rather than the battery, allowing the car to start at optimal temperature. Most EVs take around 20–30 minutes to precondition, according to Interesting Engineering.

An electric car parked on a snowy road. Photo from Pexels

Charge strategically

Richard Reina, product training director at CARiD.com, told Electrek that EV owners should fully charge their cars overnight whenever possible. "EV batteries lose range in the colder weather, so starting the day with a full charge is smart and safe," Reina said.

Casey Donahue, CEO of Optiwatt, a managed charging platform in North America, added that users should schedule charging and departure times together. "Scheduling departure gives you the time needed to precondition your vehicle and lets users maximize range by allowing the battery enough time to charge," Donahue said.

Maintain proper tire pressure

Cold air reduces tire pressure, which increases rolling resistance and reduces efficiency. Tesla notes that a 10-degree Fahrenheit (6-degree Celsius) temperature drop can lower tire pressure by 1 PSI.

Regularly checking tire pressure during cold weather helps maintain optimal range. Winter tires also improve traction and safety on icy or snowy roads, and while they may slightly reduce efficiency, the added control and stability are worth the trade-off.

Use Eco Mode and seat heaters

Reina advised EV owners to use Eco Mode, which conserves energy by limiting power output. "Eco Mode exists to boost your battery’s range by limiting energy supply and power consumption" he said. "It maximizes your battery’s efficiency, and it works during cold weather as well."

Lowering the cabin temperature and using seat heaters instead of full climate control can further save energy while maintaining comfort.

Plan winter routes and charging stops

Route planning tools can estimate power consumption based on temperature, elevation, and traffic, helping drivers choose the most efficient path. Donahue noted that public chargers tend to be crowded during winter holidays and long weekends. He recommended planning alternative charging stops in advance in case preferred stations are busy or unavailable.

Prepare for worst-case scenario

Reina suggested always carrying essential items in the car, including a phone charger, warm clothing, blankets, food, water, and a small shovel in case severe weather like a winter storm prevents you from continuing your trip.

Donahue added that drivers in areas prone to blackouts should prepare for power outages. "Check regularly for winter weather advisories and try to charge your car to full battery prior to any severe weather."