ELECTRIC CAR drivers have been warned about battery damage in their vehicles.
As cold temperatures affect the battery life of electric cars, drivers are advised to take extra care of their vehicles this winter.
Electric car drivers have been warned about battery damage in their vehiclesAlamy
Car experts have shared tips on how motorists should look after their electric cars to optimise the battery life, improve range and save time.
It can be tempting to have the internal temperature of a car on high, especially when making a long journey in the colder months.
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But this can actually damage the battery.
Having the car heating on over winter will degrade the battery and its range.
Drivers should try having the heating on at a reduced temperature or just use heated seats rather than the whole car.
In winter, the EV’s battery will get much colder and drop below the optimum temperature it needs to run.
Car experts say that keeping the batteries as warm as possible will help preserve their life.
It’s a good idea to keep their vehicle in a garage or under a car cover to keep as much heat as possible.
And, EVs will take longer to charge in the winter when the temperatures drop.
Brits are advised to prepare for longer charge times and consider charging overnight.
Lastly, driving as smoothly as possible in an EV during winter will help to optimise the battery life.
Drivers should avoid heavy braking and accelerating to make the battery last longer.
Tim Alcock from LeaseElectricCar.co.uk said to The Daily Express: “Those of us who have an electric car know the difficulties of trying to get the most out of our vehicles when the weather is really cold and the batteries subsequently have a lower range.
“This makes it difficult to plan long journeys as it can mean having to stop several times along the way to charge up the battery.
“But there are several things you can do to help extend the battery range over winter as well as make sure it stays as warm as possible.
“Parking your EV in a garage or under a car cover helps retain some of the heat in and keep in mind that the battery will take longer to reach the optimum temperature.”