CTEK Helps to Prepare EVs for a Winter Drive

Traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars don’t work flawlessly in the cold months. Similarly, electric vehicles (EVs) also face their fair share of winter-related problems. Lithium-ion batteries power the majority of EVs available in the market. These batteries produce energy as lithium ions move between the anode and the cathode via an electrolyte. This reaction becomes slower in cold temperatures, and internal resistance within the battery increases. In a nutshell, there’s more battery consumption but less energy output.

Another factor contributing to this reduction in range and performance is using the heater, which may be a bit surprising. ICE cars use excess heat from the engine and supply it via the vents to keep passengers warm and toasty. Meanwhile, an EV drains energy directly from your battery, which isn’t at its best to begin with when the weather is cold.

Mitigate potential winter damage

Last February 2, 2024, CTEK, a leader in car battery solutions, spoke about the damage heavy winters can cause to your car’s batteries and proposed some solutions to tackle them. President of CTEK North America, Bobbie DuMelle, explained that “In cold weather, your vehicle’s battery needs to work much harder, and your alternator might only be charging it up to around 60% of its capacity. This could mean that your engine is using up to 5-10 additional horsepower and burning more fuel.” She also said, “Not only is your battery underperforming, but it could also lead to an expensive breakdown.”

Winters are cruel to man and machine alike. EVs show decreased efficiency in the cold but they are still a perfectly viable alternative for ICE cars. Here are some general practices and precautions for a hassle-free winter driving experience.

Don’t hesitate to use that charger

Regularly charging up your EV’s batteries to the brim before traveling is a great practice. Since the range is heavily affected due to the environment around you, your usual estimates of how far the vehicle can go will decrease. CTEK recommends using a smart battery charger like their MXS 5.0. Their charger is equipped with features like temperature sensors and a patented pulse system, which makes it the most efficient when charging for longer durations.

Being a microprocessor-controlled battery charger, CTEK’s MXS 5.0 delivers charge automatically, as and when needed, all the while maintaining and reconditioning them; this keeps the battery’s health in optimum condition. It can be used for motorcycle and lead acid batteries ranging from 1.2-110Ah. DuMelle mentioned, “Not only will regular charging keep your battery in the best of health, making breakdowns less likely, it can also save you money by extending battery life by up to three times, so it is the smart choice for worry-free winter driving.”

Pre-heating the vehicle

When preparing for a long ride, it is a good idea to precondition your EV by heating the main cabin while it is charging. This way, you won’t enter a cold car and reduce the load on the batteries. It’s a simple strategy that can help you and your car in the long run. Plus, you don’t need to worry about freezing inside the car.

Also interesting: 4 Techy Ways to Stay Warm This Winter

The queues in EV charging stations can be rather long, considering it takes more time to charge up the batteries. There is always that off-chance of a charging station not being in service or unavailable anywhere near. A portable charger like CTEK’s CS FREE will get you out of that sticky situation. The device is a 4-1 charger, making it not only a battery charger but also a power bank (USB-A and USB-C ports), maintainer, and adaptive booster. Simply put, it can act as a charger for your car’s batteries or laptop/phone and maintain your battery’s health.

In cases where the batteries run completely dry, the adaptive booster can safely revive your dead batteries in about 15 minutes. This could give you enough charge to reach the nearest charging station. Jump cables and boosters essentially accomplish the same goal, but using them can be a tad risky for the user and the batteries.

YouTube: Snowmobiling in Swedish Lapland | CTEK (promotional clip)

Photo credit: The images used are owned by CTEK and have been provided for press usage.
Source: PR Newswire