It isn’t the charger and it isn’t your car, it’s the temperature, this time of year that will mean charging your EV seems to be taking longer than it normally does.
The batteries inside of all EV’s require them to be at a certain temperature to efficiently charge. Currently we are seeing temperatures below freezing which means the battery in an EV will be extremely cold and therefore will need to heat up a little before charging at the most efficient rate. You may notice this when you plug your car into any charger and see that the rate of charge is lower than it should be. Alternatively, once you have completed a charging session the average charge speed displayed may be down on normal rates.
There isn’t a problem with the charger you are using and it’s unlikely your car has magically reset one of those pesky settings that reduces the charging rate. It will be that for maybe the first 10 minutes of the charge your car battery wasn’t at the ambient temperature and therefore very little charging was being done until the battery was warm enough.
Throughout the winter months it’s worth noting this when out and about, charging your vehicle. You may need to factor in a slightly longer stop when plugging in. Alternatively, you may see that a full charging session overnight has taken slightly longer than usual.
There are other tips that are worth baring in mind as we enter some colder months, that will ensure your car is functional in the cold climates, these are listed below:
Preheat for departure – One feature that is a real plus when it comes to BEV’s and PHEV’s is the ability to put the heating on through the app that comes with your car. Providing you have the battery charge available, or plugged in on charge, it’s worth activating the heating at a gentle speed and a warm temperature 20 minutes before departure. This will ensure you are warm when you get in and the car is clear of any frost/ice on the windows, therefore reducing the need to apply a sudden blast of the vents, which in turn drains the battery quicker as more energy is being used to clear the windows or heat the car at a quicker rate.
Don’t get too low! - They say optimal charging should be between 20-80% and especially in winter this is crucial. Try not to let your battery charge get too low as this will only take longer for the car to charge up. You will also see a reduction in range during colder times, this is due to a number of factors in terms of, the need to add heat, cold surfaces and cold batteries.
Keep a regular eye on tyre pressure – Goes without saying no matter what car you drive. Correctly inflated tyres will ensure minimal resistance and therefore improve the battery range.
Stick it in eco mode! – Most plug-in vehicles have good acceleration with the principle of instant torque and we are all guilty of wanting to feel the full force of it. Sport mode wouldn’t be the wisest mode this time of year with damp, icy conditions. Get the car in eco mode to help preserve the battery, you may accelerate more slowly than usual but it will avoid any skidding and provide less strain on the battery.
Following these tips will not only ensure safer driving but will also help preserve your battery as best as possible this time of year. Save the fun and excitement for dry summer months.
Comments