We answer your questions about electric vehicles and winter

Are you considering purchasing an electric vehicle but you are worried about the impact of winter on range, stability, and performance? You are not alone. Our service department receives a lot of questions about driving an electric vehicle in winter and we have put together a small list of the most frequently asked question we receive. Hopefully this list will help you either decide to buy an electric vehicle for winter or go into the upcoming winter season with complete peace of mind.

How does an electric vehicle behave in winter and do I need special winter tires for my electric car?

An electric vehicle performs much the same way as a traditional vehicle in winter. Electric vehicles actually have a small advantage over a traditional combustion engine car because of the weight of the batteries and where they are located. The batteries on an electric vehicle tend to be fairly heavy and they are usually located between the axles. This lowers the centre of gravity of the vehicle and improves overall stability and handling.

Moreover, the instant torque delivered by an electric vehicle provides all of the power you need to get out of a difficult snowbank. You will be impressed about how easily you take off in winter. Even if the road is icy or is covered in snow

As for the winter tires question, the answer is no. You do not need special winter tires for your electric vehicle. Many winter tires that are available on a traditional combustion engine car are also available on an electric vehicle. And the best tires for a normal car are also the best tires for your electric vehicle.

Lastly, many consumers are worried about winter range. There is no question that cold temperatures and winter affect an electric vehicles range. That said, very few EV owners will tell you that the impact has any sort of real effect on their daily lives. Electric vehicles have plenty of range and even if you lose twenty or twenty-five percent of your range, that will not stop you from doing what you want to do because how often do you actually need all of your range? All this will really do is maybe add an hour of charging time overnight

Give us a call today to learn more about electric vehicles and winter!