Winter Tips for Electric Vehicle Owners

As drivers in Maine and around the globe make the switch to electric vehicles (EVs), many people have questions about how these vehicles perform in cold weather. Today’s blog offers some tips on how to get the most out of an EV this winter. 

Understanding Winter Performance

When temperatures drop, additional energy is required to warm both the battery and the cabin of an EV. According to a 2024 study by Recurrent Auto, the driving range of EVs can decrease by anywhere from 3% to 37% at 32°F versus ~70°F, depending on the make and model.* Combustion engine cars also lose fuel efficiency and range in colder temperatures, but the impact of cold on electric vehicles is particularly significant because EVs typically have a lower overall driving range and also lack engine heat to contribute to warming the cabin.**

To maximize EV driving range during the winter, consider these tips:

• Charge More: Beyond losing range in the cold, EVs are generally less accurate at estimating range versus ideal conditions. Depending on the model, you may need to charge more than what the vehicle recommends in order to achieve the range you need.
• Use Seat and Steering Wheel Heaters: Heating the seats and steering wheel can reduce the need for cabin heating, which uses significant energy and thus reduces range.
• Preheat While Plugged In: If you charge at home, preheating your vehicle while it’s still connected can help warm the battery and cabin before you hit the road.
• Maintain a Safe Charge Level: Aim to keep your battery above 20% at all times to ensure you have enough reserve power to heat the cabin in an emergency.

Charging Considerations

Cold temperatures can also slow down charging times due to the chemical processes that take place inside the battery. When using DC fast charging in the cold, preconditioning the car’s battery will reduce charging time (many vehicles do this automatically when the built-in GPS is set to navigate to a charging station). According to Recurrent, charging at 0°F adds just nine minutes on average compared to charging at ideal temperatures, so long as the battery is preconditioned.*** If the battery isn’t preconditioned, however, DC fast charging may take more than 30 minutes longer than in warmer temps.

While hot temperatures can degrade battery health, cold temperatures do not have a detrimental effect on the long term health of EV batteries. ***

Get Started with Efficiency Maine

Efficiency Maine offers qualifying low-income Mainers instant rebates for eligible battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) at participating Maine dealerships. For a comprehensive list of qualifying vehicles, check out our list of rebate eligible vehicles.

Efficiency Maine is also part of the Recharge Maine initiative to expand the state’s public EV charging network. In 2024, Recharge Maine awarded 391 EV charging ports (78 DC fast charging ports and 313 Level 2 ports). You can learn about our various programs to build out public EV infrastructure on the EV Charging Initiatives page.

By staying informed and prepared, you can fully enjoy the benefits of driving an electric vehicle, even during Maine’s chilly winters.

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*Source: https://www.recurrentauto.com/research/winter-ev-range-loss 
** Source: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/fuel-economy-cold-weather#:~:text=Cold%20weather%20and%20winter%20driving,to%204%2Dmile)%20trips.
*** Source: https://www.recurrentauto.com/research/study-ev-charging-speeds-in-cold-temperatures