Cold Weather And Your Electric Vehicle: 3 Tips To Help You Get The Absolute Most Range

Electric vehicles have been around for some time now, but they have most recently skyrocket in popularity. This is mainly because of the low impact on the environment and the cost savings in reference to fuel. However, like many electric things, your electric car may not be as efficient when the cold weather comes around. In fact, according to a 2014 survey, an electric car's driving range may be diminished by as much as 50 percent, depending on the exact model of vehicle. With that being said, it is important to know what you can do to maximize the length of time your electric car will stay charged so that you can avoid breaking down on the side of the road and needing to call a tow truck. Here are three tricks that will help you do just that:

1. Try to Park Your Vehicle in a Warmer Location.

When the cold weather strikes, as it inevitably will, you should ensure that you have a safe, warm place to store your vehicle. Rather than parking it on the side of the road or in the driveway where the weather elements can wreak havoc, park your vehicle inside the garage or some other warm location so that the temperature of the vehicle – inside and out – is slightly higher to begin with. If you must park outside, try to find an area where the sun will directly hit your vehicle.

2. Consider Preheating Your Plugged-In Vehicle.

According to the United States Department of Energy, you should preheat the interior of your vehicle on cold mornings while it is still plugged in. This allows the cabin to warm up so that you don't freeze when you get inside. At the same time, it ensures that the battery stays fully charged since the heater won't be pulling from the battery to heat the car.

3. Make Use of Your Vehicle's Seat Warmers.

Instead of cranking up the cabin heater, consider utilizing your seat warmers instead. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that this will help extend your overall range while also helping to save energy. If keeping your bun toasty isn't enough to keep your entire body warm, run your cabin heater on low so that some heat is circulating throughout the interior of the vehicle.

With these three tips, you should be good to go when it comes to your vehicle's electric charge during the winter. However, if something happens and your electric vehicle does run out of its charge, make sure that you have a tow truck service on speed dial. If you never thought you would need a tow and don't have a number handy, call information to be connected to a local towing service. If all else fails because you can't get a hold of someone, contact 911 and they'll help you get someone to you.


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