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Are electric cars good in winter?
I’m in the market for a new car, and I know electric cars are much better for the environment. However, I live up in Minnesota, and it gets cold in the winter—I’m not sure how an electric vehicle would handle sub-zero temperatures. Are electric cars any good in the winter?
Ben Guess · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question, and kudos to you for considering your impact on the environment. I’m glad to say that while an
electric vehicle’s
(EV) range can drop by as much as 41% in freezing temperatures, there are several ways to make sure your electric car performs well in winter.The reason for such a steep drop in your EV’s range is the heating system. When your heat is turned on, power is diverted from your engine to maintain the car’s temperature. This results in a significant drop in range, as well as a longer charging time for your battery.
However, there are still ways to preserve your EV’s battery, including:
- Staying charged to 20% or more. Ensuring that you always have a charge of at least 20% gives you a power reserve to fall back on, making sure that you and your vehicle both get home safely. (And if possible, charging your car in a heated garage will also get it to 20% more quickly.)
- Driving safely. Speeding also drains energy from your battery, and can be dangerous if you’re driving on an icy road. To maintain your battery, and tostay safe on winter roads, slow down and drive safely.
- Using your EV’s Eco mode. Most EVs have an Eco mode, which can preserve your battery’s life for a longer amount of time. Turning it on in colder months is a smart precaution that may keep your battery lasting longer.
- Finding other ways to stay warm. Turning on the heating system may drain your battery, but many EVs have a heated seat option, and some even have heated steering wheels. Since heated seats do not drain the battery as quickly as your heating system, this is a good way to stay warm and preserve your battery’s life.
If you’re currently looking for a new car, it might be a good idea to get insurance shopping out of the way at the same time. To do this easily, check out the
Jerry
app — we’ll make it easy for you to get the best deal on the coverage you need. Just fill out some information about yourself and whichever car you may choose, and we’ll get you personalized quotes from top providers, so that all you need to do is pick the plan that works best for you. And once you’ve picked one, we’ll help you with every step of signing up.
Hope this helps, and happy shopping!
MORE: Minnesota Electric Vehicle Incentives
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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