Electric cars demand extra TLC to cope with big freeze

OWNERS of electric cars have been warned to keep them charged overnight and warm them before use to avoid getting caught short in the freezing temperatures.

Electric cars can lose between 10 and 20 per cent of their range when temperatures drop, as the lithium-ion battery becomes less efficient and drivers switch on features such as the heating, the AA said.

The UK had its coldest night of the winter so far this week, with snow and ice closing hundreds of schools yesterday. But temperatures are expected to rise into the weekend, and rain will potentially bring floods from Sunday across large parts of the country.

“EV drivers should consider keeping their cars plugged in overnight and pre-conditioning the car, which in many models can be done via an app from the comfort of your own home,” said Edmund King, president of the AA.

Colder batteries can take longer to charge and are less efficient, reducing range.

Tesla drivers in Chicago, where temperatures have reached -34C, said cars were being abandoned at charging stations as the time taken to recharge stretched from 45 minutes to two hours.

Mr King added that in the UK, “most EV drivers are used to the drop in range”, with car displays factoring in the impact of cold weather on mileage estimates. “We have not seen an increase in breakdowns due to cars being out of charge,” he said.

The Met Office said temperatures reached as low as -13.6C at Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands overnight into yesterday. In England, -11.1C was the low, recorded in Shap, Cumbria.

‘EV drivers should consider keeping their cars plugged in overnight and pre-conditioning the car’