How to protect your EV from this weekend's snow storm
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Extreme cold is hard on electric vehicles, but EV owners can avoid problems by being prepared — and may even be able to tap their car's battery if the power goes out.
Why it matters: A massive winter storm is expected to bring snow, freezing rain and sleet spanning New Mexico to New England, with extended power outages possible.
The big picture: EVs don't like cold weather any more than you do.
- Freezing temperatures reduce battery efficiency, cutting an EV's driving range by up to 30% — which could be a nasty surprise in a blizzard.
- Charging also takes longer when it's cold because batteries accept power at a slower rate.
The issue drew widespread attention two years ago in Chicago when Tesla owners found their cars wouldn't charge in brutal temperatures.
- My own road trip from Florida to Michigan a year earlier was almost wrecked by a cold snap.
Yes, but: Cold doesn't have to leave EV drivers out in the cold. In Norway, where EVs accounted for 96% of all new car sales last year, subzero weather isn't a problem — drivers there have learned how to manage cold-weather charging.
Zoom in: The most important thing you can do is to precondition the battery before charging or driving, using the car's phone app.
- Warming the battery for about 15 minutes ensures faster charging speeds, and protects the battery from long-term damage.
- Make sure the car is plugged in during preconditioning so energy to warm the battery comes from the grid, not from the car itself.
Another potential snag: An outdoor charger can freeze under extreme conditions, especially if moisture gets inside the handle.
- Amazon sells covers for people who park outside in the elements.
The intrigue: A fully charged EV could be beneficial in the case of a power outage.
- You can use your car to recharge devices like phones and tablets.
- A growing number of EVs even support two-way charging, which could supply backup power to your home during an outage (with proper equipment).
What to watch: Many newer EVs have heat pumps that help improve battery efficiency, which means cold weather is less of a problem.
The bottom line: As severe weather bears down this weekend, EVs face real limitations — but for prepared owners, they can also double as a rolling backup generator if the grid fails.
