As the colder months loom in front of us, electric car users are searching for advice to keep their vehicles in top condition.
There has been some concern on how the climate-friendly motors will survive the UK weather, reports the Mirror. Lithium ions that exist in car batteries slow down in cold weather, and aren't as effective, limiting charging capabilities.
However, motoring expert Louis Rix has shared his top tips to maintain the batteries and other parts of the electric cars.
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Louis, who is the co-founder and CEO of CarFinance 247, says driving mindfully can help motorists conserve power and improve their electric cars' range in cold weather.
The motoring expert said: "Travel at a steady speed and try to avoid sudden acceleration or braking. You can also save energy by turning off the radio and not using the heater.
"Storing your car in a garage or covered parking space overnight can help to keep the battery warm. Don’t have a garage? Keeping it under a cover can make a difference too."
Louis also said using winter tyres can keep drivers safe when the weather begins to turn. He continued: "The battery location can give electric cars a low centre of gravity, which improves traction in the snow, but they can also be heavier than petrol or diesel cars, making them harder to control in icy conditions.
"If you’re concerned about wet weather – electricity and water don’t mix, after all – then don’t be! EVs have precautions built in so splashes of water are unlikely to cause damage, but it’s still good practice to avoid driving through submerged roads."
Louis pointed out a number of other tips, which will benefit electric car owners this winter. Read on below to find out more.
Preheating the car
Many electric cars come with a preconditioning feature that can be used to warm up the car as it is charging - meaning it is toasty before you get in.
If the car is still plugged in while you warm it up, then this won’t drain the battery. Some systems can even be operated remotely from inside your house.
Keep regenerative braking on
The system of regenerative braking is where the vehicle acts as its own generator whenever the driver slows down or brakes.
The energy generated is then sent back to the battery as a top up. Keeping this function on in cold weather can help your battery last longer.
Using eco-mode
Another helpful feature of electric cars, and many petrol vehicles, is the eco-mode button. This feature can preserve energy, reducing your power consumption, and boost mileage by limiting the energy supplied to the car or heaters.
This is a perfect way to conserve energy within the car.
Save more time to charge
Charging the car in cold weather can take longer, especially as temperatures dip overnight, with rapid charging a bit more tricky in the winter months too.
Overnight charges can take two or three extra hours to complete when temperatures are low. So, keep this in mind, and plug the car in as soon as you can to get the battery up to full charge.
Also, try to avoid letting your charge run down completely just in case.
Basic car maintenance
The similarities in electric cars to petrol or diesel vehicles are a lot more than you'd think, and car maintenance is just as important for EV's.
Make sure to keep your car clean, keep your anti-freeze topped up, and most importantly, keep the battery topped up too.
If it does snow or you have ice on your windscreen, dislodge and de-ice as usual.
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