Driving Tips to Help Maximize EV Winter Range

As the weather gets colder and driving in less-than-ideal conditions becomes more common than not, we’re here to help keep your electric vehicle in tip-top shape. When it comes to your EV winter range , keep these basics in mind and you’ll be coasting your way into spring.

Charging

When the ambient temperature is 32°F/0°C or colder, leave your vehicle plugged into a Level 2 charger to allow the battery to warm up. When using a DC fast charger in colder weather, the charge rate can be maximized by turning the vehicle climate system off for the first 10 minutes of charging to allow the battery to warm up and to help improve energy transfer. If your vehicle must be left unplugged in cold temperatures for extended periods of time, make sure it is charged to the highest state possible.

Precondition Your Vehicle

You can precondition your vehicle to warm or cool your cabin when your vehicle is plugged in. This helps ensure that your vehicle is ready for the upcoming drive and you do not use the energy from the battery at the beginning of your trip to heat your vehicle. Use the Departure Times feature in the FordPass App* or in-vehicle within the SYNC 4A screen to precondition your vehicle prior to your trip.**

Tip: Using seat heaters is more efficient for warming occupants than using the heat from the climate control.

*FordPass App, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply.

**Effectiveness of cabin conditioning may be reduced by extreme outside temperatures or when using 120-volt charging.

Reduce A/C and Heater Usage

Climate control use during hot or cold outside temperatures will adversely affect the driving range of an electric vehicle. To help reduce the impact that heating and cooling systems have on range, lower the cabin temperature settings on the climate control system in winter and raise them in summer.

Parking

Maximize the expected range of your battery by parking under a covered area or garage whenever possible. This will moderate extreme cabin temperatures , so you do not use as much energy from the battery to heat or cool the cabin at the beginning of the trip.**

**Effectiveness of cabin conditioning may be reduced by extreme outside temperatures or when using 120-volt charging.

Stick with the Speed Limit

Try to avoid quick acceleration and hard braking since they affect range. If you brake slowly and smoothly, you can help capture more energy and maximize your range.

Before Heading Out Into Cold Weather