Cold Weather EV Charging: Tips for Winter
Cold weather affects EV charging speed and battery performance. Here's how to optimise charging during winter months.
How Cold Affects EV Charging
When temperatures drop below 10°C, lithium-ion batteries become less efficient at accepting charge. This means:
- Slower charging speeds (can be 30-50% slower)
- Reduced range (batteries work harder in cold)
- Pre-conditioning may be needed
Tips for Winter Charging
1. Pre-condition Your Battery
Most EVs can warm the battery while still plugged in. Set your car to pre-condition before your departure time. This warms the battery using mains power rather than battery power.
2. Charge After Driving
The battery is warmer after driving. If possible, plug in as soon as you arrive home when the battery is still warm for faster charging.
3. Keep Your Car Plugged In
Even if fully charged, keeping the car plugged in during cold spells helps maintain battery temperature using mains power.
4. Adjust Charging Schedule
If using smart tariffs, allow extra time for charging in winter. A charge that takes 6 hours in summer might take 8-9 hours on cold nights.
5. Park in a Garage
If possible, park your EV in a garage. Even an unheated garage is several degrees warmer than outside, helping battery efficiency.
Charger Maintenance in Winter
- Keep connector dry - shake off any snow/ice before connecting
- Check cable for damage from cold/flexing
- Clear any ice/snow from around charger
- If connector is frozen to car, don't force it - warm gently
What About the Charger Itself?
Quality EV chargers are designed to operate in UK winter conditions. Most have operating ranges down to -25°C or colder. The charger will slow or stop charging automatically if it detects unsafe temperatures.