Important Tips for Using Electric Vehicles in Winter

Have you ever thought about how much you know about the use of electric vehicles, which is becoming more widespread day by day? For example, do you know what you should pay attention to when driving an electric vehicle in winter? Come on, let’s see what are the tips you should not miss when driving an electric vehicle in winter!

Using an electric vehicle (EV) during the winter months can be more challenging due to low temperatures and closed roads. In electric vehicles , it is very important to make checks in many different areas such as tire selection , range change and air conditioning filters to prepare for winter conditions. You should definitely listen to our recommendations before hitting the road with electric vehicles in the winter months!

1. Switch to Winter Tires

As the weather gets colder , it is necessary to switch to the use of winter tires for electric vehicles , just like for conventional vehicles . As a matter of fact, using winter tires during these months is of great importance in terms of safety, driving performance and battery efficiency.

1. Better traction: Winter tires improve grip on snowy and icy surfaces. The instantaneous torque of electric cars is often high. As a result, winter tires improve the vehicle’s acceleration and handling.
2. Shorter braking distance: Winter tires provide better braking on slippery surfaces compared to other tires. It is necessary to switch to winter tires in order to stop the vehicle faster in emergency situations and to prevent possible accidents.

2. Check Tires Regularly

Tire control in electric vehicles is critical for driving safety, performance and energy efficiency. You can make your vehicle safer, more efficient and more comfortable with regular tire maintenance.

1. Safety: Driving experience in electric vehicles is directly linked to the performance of the tires. As it is known, tires provide control and guidance of the vehicle on the road. Therefore, tires need to be checked frequently for safety. Worn and worn tires can cause the vehicle to slip and have poor road grip, which can lead to accidents.
2. Energy efficiency: Worn or incorrectly inflated tires can cause friction loss and cause the battery to drain faster. However, solid tires can increase the range of the vehicle by providing lower energy consumption.
3. Stable driving: Worn tires cause the vehicle to shake. Checking and maintaining the tires regularly ensures that the vehicle travels in a more stable manner.

3. Have Air Conditioning Filters Checked

Before using an electric vehicle in the winter months, it is necessary to have the air conditioning filters checked. Air conditioning filter control in electric vehicles improves indoor air quality, driving comfort and safety while driving.

1. Indoor air quality: The air conditioning filter cleans pollutants such as dust, pollen, dirt and bacteria in the air entering the vehicle. A clean air filter provides fresh air flow without lowering the temperature inside the car, despite harsh weather conditions.
2. Driving comfort: A clean air conditioning filter prevents the windows from fogging or freezing by increasing the air flow inside the car. In this way, it increases driving comfort and safety and allows the driver to see the roads more easily.

4. Take Range Change into Account When Setting Out

Using an electric vehicle in winter may affect the range. However, it is possible to reduce this effect by paying attention to some situations.

1. Battery temperature: Electric vehicle battery life has a direct say in how far you can go once you hit the road. Lithium-ion batteries of electric vehicles are sensitive to temperature. For this reason, battery performance may decrease at low temperatures. This causes the range to decrease.
2. Slow and fast charging: Choosing fast charging stations when driving an electric car in winter can help the battery warm up faster and provide a better range. However, cold weather conditions may affect electric vehicle charging time and speed.
3. Vehicle features: The range of electric vehicles may vary depending on the vehicle model. New generation electric vehicles have batteries that offer better cold weather performance and range.

5. If Possible, Let Your Vehicle Charge Every Night

Leaving the electric vehicle to charge every night during winter allows you to reduce range loss, increase driving comfort and be ready for possible emergencies.

1. Range increase: Low temperatures and cold weather in winter negatively affect the range of electric vehicles. As a matter of fact, the battery drains faster in cold weather conditions. Charging your vehicle every night allows you to have a fully charged battery in the morning and make your daily drive more comfortable.
2. Accessibility of charging stations: It is possible to encounter unexpected scenes in electric vehicle charging station areas during the winter months . Charging stations freezing or being difficult to use can make it difficult to charge the vehicle. Therefore, charging the electric vehicle every night prevents it from being stranded during the day.
3. Emergency situations: Situations such as traffic accidents or road closures may occur more frequently during the winter months due to bad weather conditions. Having a high electric vehicle charge level also makes it possible to be prepared for such bad surprises.

6. Avoid Sudden Speed ​​Changes on the Road

As with conventional vehicles, avoiding sudden speed changes when using electric vehicles in cold weather is extremely important for a safe driving experience. Slow and controlled driving is of great importance for the lives of both you and your loved ones, as it enables the vehicle to hold on to the road better on icy and slippery roads.

1. Slippery roads: Adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow and frost in winter make roads more slippery. Sudden acceleration or sudden braking may cause the vehicle to skid.
2. Battery effect: Batteries of electric vehicles may be less efficient in cold weather conditions. Sudden speed changes can also cause the battery to drain more quickly.

7. Take Small But Effective Steps to Save Battery

Saving energy when driving an electric vehicle in winter allows both to increase the range and shorten the charging time. By taking small but effective steps to save charge, you can increase the efficiency of your electric vehicle and protect the environment.

1. Low speed driving: Fast driving increases energy consumption. Driving an electric vehicle at low speed, especially in cold weather conditions, makes it possible to increase the range.
2. Vehicle maintenance: Regular vehicle maintenance contributes to increasing the energy efficiency of the electric vehicle. In particular, it is necessary to check the condition of the brakes and tires at regular intervals.
3. Using eco mode: Some electric vehicles have eco mode among their features. Energy consumption can be reduced by using Eco mode.

8. Keep a Spare Battery for Emergencies

The advantages of using electric vehicles include many factors, especially a clean environment. However, electric vehicles also have some disadvantages, such as battery depletion. Having a spare battery, especially in winter, allows you to increase the range of the vehicle and be better prepared for adverse weather conditions.

1. Cold weather effect: Low temperatures can negatively affect the performance of the battery. Cold weather causes the battery to consume energy faster and naturally reduces the range. For this reason, keeping a spare battery with you can be beneficial in case of emergencies.
2. Long-distance trips: It can be difficult to find a charging station on long-distance trips, such as winter holidays or intercity trips. Additionally, some roads may be closed in winter due to adverse weather conditions. Therefore, having a spare battery allows you to continue your journey safely and without interruption.