Electric cars have a simpler operating system than gasoline cars, but they cannot avoid the effects of actual operating conditions, especially environmental factors. In winter, when the outdoor temperature drops, that impact is even more evident. Some research results show that electric vehicles can reduce operating range by up to 30-40% when the ambient temperature is below 4 degrees Celsius.
In recent days, the Northern region has continuously received severe and harmful cold spells. Temperatures in many places dropped below 10 degrees Celsius, and there were even mountainous areas facing record low temperatures and frost. Meanwhile, electric vehicles using lithium-ion batteries only operate well in the ambient temperature range of 15 – 27 degrees Celsius. Outdoor temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius reduce the operating range of this vehicle. .
Not to mention, when the outdoor temperature is low, users tend to use other features in the car, such as turning on the heating mode. This causes the battery to drain faster. Please note 5 principles to help electric cars operate effectively in winter:
1. Warm up the vehicle before moving
New electric vehicle models all have a heating feature and you should do this before moving the vehicle. You can take advantage of the charging time to warm up the car, saving time. When the weather turns cold, you should prioritize parking in the sun to both keep the interior warm and preserve battery capacity.
2. Switch to fuel-saving driving mode
Power saving mode has been popular in most current electric vehicle models to reduce the amount of electricity supplied to the operating system and features that need to consume electrical energy such as (heating system, air conditioning system, etc.). entertainment,…). Using fuel-saving driving mode regularly in winter helps reduce engine power, save energy and improve battery durability.
3. Use a regenerative braking system
This is also an effective way to save fuel for smart electric vehicle models. The operating mechanism of regenerative braking is to convert kinetic – thermal energy generated during braking into electrical energy for reuse.
4. Balance battery charging time
Charging time for electric vehicle batteries in winter is always longer than in summer. In some cases, charging time can last more than double or triple longer than normal due to the battery management system (BMS) – the part responsible for interacting with the charging station and changing the charging capacity of the battery. The vehicle will adjust based on the temperature of the battery.
5. Use heating mode appropriately
If internal combustion engines can take advantage of “natural” heat sources, electric vehicles must use electricity to generate heat. This will affect the vehicle’s operating range. Therefore, in order for electric vehicles to operate in the best condition and travel the longest distance, users need to maintain the heating mode at a moderate level and only use this mode when absolutely necessary.
6. Avoid parking electric vehicles outdoors overnight
Car batteries have to work harder in low temperature conditions, causing more energy to be consumed. Lithium batteries on electric vehicles have an optimal operating temperature range of 20-25 degrees Celsius, while NiMH batteries (commonly found on hybrid vehicles) can operate well in lower temperatures. Therefore, users should limit parking outdoors at night and always keep the battery above 20%.