5 tips for recharging your electric vehicle in winter

Many people are reluctant to switch to electric vehicles because of concerns about range, recharging and general winter operation. It's true that low temperatures have a negative impact on the battery and its performance, but solutions exist to overcome this.

If this is your first cold season with an electric vehicle, here are some good tips and things to remember about recharging, according to Electrify Canada. All it takes is a few changes to your normal routine and a little planning.

1. Plan longer recharging sessions
In fact, what you need to understand is that your vehicle controls the charging speeds, not the charging station itself. In cold weather, the vehicle's software automatically reduces its charging power to protect itself.

2. Monitor messages displayed by the vehicle
If the temperature drops overnight, the range of your electric vehicle may be reduced. Some models can anticipate the reduced range caused by extreme temperatures, and adjust the display accordingly.

3. Plan your recharging sessions carefully
Locate public charging stations in advance to avoid finding yourself in a situation where you have less range than the nearest charging station.

4. Park indoors whenever possible
Consider parking your vehicle indoors in extreme cold. Warmer indoor temperatures can prevent slower charging speeds and keep the charge longer.

5. Using your EV's cold-weather functions
Some electric vehicles have a preconditioning function that allows drivers to program or manually warm up the battery to a more optimal temperature. Use it before recharging your car at a charging station.

Have a good winter! And if you're still in the shopping process, take a look at our recommendations for used electric vehicles under $25,000 from Otogo's vast inventory.