Winter is when most EV myths circulate. Yes, cold weather affects range and charging speed. But with a few simple measures, you can handle winter driving without any issues.
How cold affects range
Below 0°C, EV range drops by 15–30% compared to summer. Two causes: the battery has higher internal resistance (lower efficiency) and heating consumes 2–4 kW. At -10°C with highway driving, range can drop by up to 35%. A Škoda Enyaq with a summer range of 420 km will realistically cover 280–320 km on the highway in winter.
How cold affects charging speed
A cold battery accepts energy more slowly. DC charging can be 30–50% slower in freezing conditions until the battery warms up. Modern EVs (Tesla, Hyundai, Kia) have a battery pre-conditioning feature — navigation automatically heats the battery before arriving at a charger. Always use this when planning a DC stop.
Tips for winter driving
Pre-condition while plugged in
Heat the cabin and battery while still connected to a wallbox or charger. Heating draws energy from the grid, not the battery. Most cars let you schedule departure in the app — the car will be warm and the battery ready for driving.
Use the heat pump
Most modern EVs have a heat pump that is 2–3× more efficient than resistive heating. For every 1 kW of electricity, it produces 2–3 kW of heat. Make sure it is enabled (some cars allow disabling it in settings).
Maintain a higher charge level
In winter, charge to 90% instead of the usual 80%. Range buffer matters more during unexpected situations (traffic jams, detours). Occasional charging to 90% will not harm the battery.
Park in a garage
Garage temperature is typically 10–15°C higher than outside. The battery cools down less, you start with higher range in the morning, and charging is faster. If you do not have a garage, at least park on the sunny side.
Winter range — real numbers
Based on data from thousands of drives in Czech Republic: average range drop in December–February is 22% compared to summer months. In the city (shorter distances, more stops) the drop is smaller (15–18%). On the highway it is larger (25–35%). Use these numbers to realistically plan winter trips.