Maximising range in your electric car during winter

Brush and scrape first

Before you hit the road, brush off the snow and ice from your car to avoid aerodynamic impact and prevent any impact on your range due to added weight. Driving a car covered in thick layers of snow can also obstruct visibility and lights, affecting driving performance. Ice and snow may melt slower on an electric car since there is no heat from a combustion engine.

Preheat your car

We know we've said it before, but it doesn’t hurt to say it again – don't forget to preheat your electric car. A warm battery doesn't go through unnecessary energy-consuming processes to find its best operating conditions. If possible, always park your car in a heated garage. It saves you energy compared to parking outside in the cold.

Also consider preheating the car while it's still charging. Unlike cars with internal combustion engines, you don’t have to worry about emissions when preheating an electric car in enclosed spaces.

Once the car is warm, the battery doesn't need to use extra energy to heat the cabin. When the battery is warm, it can efficiently accept the energy generated by one-pedal driving when you start your journey.

Keep an eye on tyre pressure

In colder weather, your tire pressure can drop, leading to more resistance on road and higher energy consumption. So, make sure to keep an eye on tyre pressure in winter to maximise your driving range.

Use seat and steering wheel heaters

You don’t have to always heat up the entire cabin to ensure a cosy driving environment in cold weather. Seat and steering wheel heaters are energy efficient and can provide a comfortable climate without heating the entire cabin.

Activate range optimisation

Head to the central display of your electric Volvo and find the “Range Assistant”. Once there, look for the "range optimisation" function. When you turn it on, the climate settings will automatically adjust to conserve energy and maximise your electric car's range. Keep in mind that the function turns off automatically when your battery is over 50 per cent charge.

Drive on ploughed and smooth roads

Always try to avoid unploughed and snowy roads for better energy efficiency. Use the Range Assistant feature in your electric Volvo cars to identify energy-draining driving conditions.

Drive smoothly and plan ahead

Keep a steady speed and opt for gentle braking instead of sudden and forceful stops. This not only helps extend your driving range but also enhances traffic safety in winter conditions.

Use one-pedal mode wisely

The One Pedal Drive mode with its regenerative braking is a convenient and energy-efficient feature for city driving and at lower speeds.

However, when driving at higher speeds like on the highway, it's more energy-efficient to coast and minimise unnecessary braking. Although regenerative braking can recover some energy, it always requires more energy to accelerate back to the previous speed.

Charge as soon as possible

When you stop your electric car, the battery is usually warm and in optimal conditions to receive energy. So connect your electric car directly to a charging station before it cools down too much.

Charge whenever you can

If you make a pitstop at a rest area or petrol station with an available charging point, plug in your car even if the battery level is good. This will set you up for a smooth journey ahead and reduce the need for longer charging breaks later on. Keep in mind that many charging companies offer fast charging options.

We hope that these tips were useful, wish you a safe and efficient drive this winter.