Electric Vehicles and Quebec Winters

It’s mid-February and the Quebec winter has fully arrived. Who hasn’t found themselves trying to dig their car out from under a nice pile of snow or found their battery completely dead in the morning? Why not opt for an electric car? Do owners of electric vehicles suffer more or less than their fellow drivers?

How Does It Work?

It’s time to clear up the myth surrounding electric cars. Unlike a car that uses gas and depends on one battery, the electric car has two batteries. Both types of vehicles have a 12-volt battery, which is used to power the headlights, car radio systems, and some of the air conditioning. As a result of cold temperatures, these are the batteries that see their effectiveness diminish.

For a gas-powered car, this battery is always recharged when the vehicle runs on its alternator. The 12-volt battery in an electric car, however, is not necessarily recharged. The vehicle’s computer decides when to transfer the current from the large traction battery to the smaller 12-volt battery, which means it’s necessary to monitor the battery’s charge in the same way as you would a traditional car battery.

Winter and Autonomy

Jessy Caron, analyst and automotive expert at CAA - Quebec says that electric cars are no more difficult in winter than gasoline-powered cars.

Like the battery in a traditional car that drains quickly during winter, the large traction battery in an electric car can also drain faster in colder weather. It, therefore, needs to be reheated in order to work its best.

If you use heating, the electric car could lose at least 30% of its autonomy in very cold weather, just as the gasoline-powered car would consume more fuel (up to 50% according to Natural Resources Canada).

Small Tips for Winter

Here are a few tips to save your battery’s power during the winter:

• Most electric vehicles can be pre-heated remotely if plugged into a charging station. This will help you save energy and will also allow you to warm up the cabin and defrost in peace.
• Use the heated seats rather than the blower (uses less power).
• Avoid turning on the headlights during the day unless it’s necessary for your safety, of course!