Even in winter: Modern electric car batteries are true survivalists

"The times when cold or heat drastically affected the function or even the lifespan are over," says Dr. Johannes Hattendorff, who is driving the development of the battery division at the German automotive supplier Webasto.

Reasons for this include improved cell chemistry and better thermal management systems. It is true that the battery does not feel very comfortable at extreme temperatures.

"But here we are talking about temperatures of minus 20 degrees in winter and over 40 degrees in summer," says Hattendorff.

Cars as Survival Artists

Temperature fluctuations in the conventional range typical for Central Europe are hardly a problem anymore.

"Thanks to advanced thermal management systems, modern electric car batteries are true survival artists and offer reliable performance even at temperatures around freezing point and in summer heat. These systems can both heat and cool in order to keep the batteries in the optimal temperature range between 20 and 40 degrees Celsius, which is ideal for performance," Hattendorff continued.

Although the energy consumption of electric cars increases in winter due to the higher heating demand for the battery and interior by 25 to 30 percent, it is only slightly above the value for combustion engines, which also consume around 20 percent more diesel or gasoline in the cold season.

This is how it can be optimized even more efficiently 

To optimize the range and lifespan of the battery in everyday use, and especially in winter, Hattendorff offers the following tips:

1. Preheat the battery

To achieve full charging performance, the battery must be warm. Therefore, pre-conditioning is advisable before starting a drive. If possible, one should charge the car after a longer drive when the battery is already warmed up.

2. Heat efficiently

Almost all electric cars have an electric heater, often referred to as a "parking heater," because it operates independently of the engine and can also be used when the vehicle is stationary.

"Especially in winter, it is advisable to use the preheating function when the car is still connected to the charging station. Then the energy for the heater comes from the power grid, not the battery," Hattendorff explains.

During the drive, he recommends heating efficiently. Steering wheel and seat heaters focus the warmth directly on the passenger instead of warming the air throughout the vehicle interior. Consequently, the warmth is precisely where it is needed without wasting energy on other areas.

3. Adjust recuperation

An economical driving style helps conserve range. Driving in Eco mode consumes less energy. If traveling to the mountains with an electric car in the winter, the recuperation of the engine brake should be set to a higher level. This helps to recover more energy and reduces energy loss compared to mechanical braking.

4. Charge gently

As a general rule, extreme charging states should be avoided, both in winter and summer. According to Hattendorff, the worst is to fully charge the car and then leave it parked.

"The increased voltage in the cells leads to chemical reactions, which can negatively affect the lifespan."

Ideally, batteries should be charged to about 80 percent and not discharged below 20 percent. Occasionally charging to 100 percent is not a problem; the batteries are designed for that.