Charge Over Time
While fast charging, your current becomes higher, increasing the lithium plating phenomenon. As such, it’s better to charge your car overnight at level one to ensure you don’t damage your battery.
How to Take Care of Your EV During Winter?
Electric vehicles (EV) are the future of cars, and many prefer these vehicles above the standard gas ones. However, winter conditions take a toll on these vehicles. As such, you should ensure you’re fully prepared to maintain your electric vehicle this winter. We looked at why the cold weather impacts EVs and some DIY tips you can follow to maintain your vehicle.
Why Does Your EV Need to be Maintained During Winter?
An electric vehicle uses Lithium-ion batteries and basically creates electrical energy to power it by converting chemical energy. This is done using cathodes, anodes and electrolytes. If we simplify the process, electricity is generated by moving electrons from the negative terminal to the positive one. The lithium atoms produce the electrons, but the production rate of these lithium atoms decreases in colder temperatures.
It’s called the lithium plating phenomenon, where electropositive lithium atoms are instead converted into inert metal. At the end of the day, the battery’s performance decreases, and you won’t receive the range you usually get with an EV.
Tips for Winter Maintenance
Charge Over Time
Keep Your EV Heated
It’s better to park your EV indoors, keeping the ambient temperature between 20° to 22°C, as this slows down the degradation of your battery.
Driving Preparation
Heat your car for around 30 minutes before you start driving. Ensure you start the heating slowly to not place more pressure on the battery. Also, keep your car on charge as you heat it so you don’t use your battery’s po
Lower Your Regenerative Braking
While fast charging, your current becomes higher, increasing the lithium plating phenomenon. As such, it’s better to charge your car overnight at level one to ensure you don’t damage your battery.
Check Your Tires
EVs tend to be more impacted by low tire pressure. Your tire pressure decreases by around one PSI for every 10°C temperature dip. Keeping your tire pressure optimal can increase an EV’s performance by up to 7%.
Employ ECO Mode
ECO mode takes off some of the load the EV experiences in cold weather, providing lower electricity currents and better battery health.
Charge Over Time
While fast charging, your current becomes higher, increasing the lithium plating phenomenon. As such, it’s better to charge your car overnight at level one to ensure you don’t damage your battery.
Keep Your EV Heated
It’s better to park your EV indoors, keeping the ambient temperature between 20° to 22°C, as this slows down the degradation of your battery.
Driving Preparation
Heat your car for around 30 minutes before you start driving. Ensure you start the heating slowly to not place more pressure on the battery. Also, keep your car on charge as you heat it so you don’t use your battery’s po
Lower Your Regenerative Braking
While fast charging, your current becomes higher, increasing the lithium plating phenomenon. As such, it’s better to charge your car overnight at level one to ensure you don’t damage your battery.
Check Your Tires
EVs tend to be more impacted by low tire pressure. Your tire pressure decreases by around one PSI for every 10°C temperature dip. Keeping your tire pressure optimal can increase an EV’s performance by up to 7%.
Employ ECO Mode
ECO mode takes off some of the load the EV experiences in cold weather, providing lower electricity currents and better battery health.
Drive Smart This Winter
Maintaining your EV during winter is crucial to increase your battery’s performance. Not only does it mean better battery health, but it also ensures you have an extended driving range. The good news is that you can help protect your battery by following simple steps. Most of these steps are easy enough to complete with minimal effort. So ensure you drive smart this winter with your EV, enjoying the best performance.