In the face of severe snowstorms affecting electric vehicles in many areas of the United States, Ford has issued several guidelines for users of this relatively new type of vehicle.
Extreme cold temperatures can reduce an electric vehicle’s range by 30 to 40% and create significant challenges when it comes to recharging. Many electric vehicle owners in Chicago have experienced tough days as a major snowstorm swept through the region, rendering their vehicles nearly inoperable if left outside.
Ford, which has been promoting its electric vehicle lineup including the Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and Explorer EV, cannot remain idle. The company has provided 9 tips to help electric vehicle owners make better use of their vehicles during frigid days.
Unlike gasoline vehicles, electric vehicles are more challenging to operate in extreme weather conditions without proper preparation. (Image: InsideEVs)
The first tip from Ford may seem very simple but is extremely important: park in a garage. Just keeping the electric vehicle sheltered from most of the rain, wind, and cold snow outside allows the battery to maintain a certain level of warmth and reserve power.
If parking outside is unavoidable, users should plug in the charger in advance to maintain a certain battery level and a stable temperature for the battery. The optimal reserve level varies by manufacturer but typically hovers around 20%.
The next tip Ford mentions is warming up the battery before charging. Using a control app or customizing settings inside the car, users can warm up the battery to speed up charging and ensure a sufficiently warm cabin for immediate use. For most electric vehicles on the market, users can easily set the start time for charging, the desired charging duration, and the target battery level.
Leaving an electric vehicle outside without charging in extreme cold is a significant mistake as it reduces both battery capacity and temperature, making it difficult for the vehicle to charge or restart. (Image: InsideEVs)
Once the cabin temperature is sufficiently warm, they can turn off the heating system to use the seat and steering wheel heaters to conserve energy.
In extremely cold temperatures, Ford advises owners to use mapping tools to locate fast charging stations if they must charge outside. Charging speeds at very low temperatures can drop almost to zero, making the recharging process, if possible, very time-consuming.
Other small tips include driving at moderate speeds, keeping tires at the appropriate pressure, and preparing for upcoming journeys as part of their advice.
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