Leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and lots of drivers are beginning to consider methods to finest put together their automobiles for impending winter climate. The seasoned electrical automobile (EV) proprietor will know what to anticipate when charging and driving their EV within the winter — however in the event you’ve just lately electrified your fleet, what do your drivers must know?    

When you’ve stocked your fleet’s trunks with scrapers and ice soften, listed below are some key suggestions for methods to maintain your EVs operating easily as soon as the mercury drops.  

Count on Lowered Mileage and Slower Cost Instances 

Winter climate can change how we drive, nevertheless it additionally impacts the automobile itself. In EVs, you’ll most probably see this within the lithium-ion battery that powers your automotive or truck. Frigid temperatures have an effect on the chemical and bodily reactions that make batteries work, leading to longer charging occasions. In reality, one examine confirmed that at 32 F levels, an EV battery took in 36% much less vitality than when the battery was charged for a similar period of time at 77 F levels. Chilly climate may even cut back an EV’s driving vary, because the automobile must expend vitality on regulating battery and cabin temperatures.  

In case your drivers are making lengthy journeys, they’ll want to pay attention to their battery vary and, if vital, the place they’ll discover public charging stations on their route. They may even need to plan round longer cost occasions, whether or not they’re juicing up at house, at your fleet depot, or elsewhere.  

Use Your Preconditioning Options 

Most EVs as we speak boast preconditioning options that may optimize battery life in excessive temperatures and maintain drivers snug. Preconditioning may be finished for the cabin and the battery. 

Cabin preconditioning permits drivers to pre-heat or pre-cool the automobile’s inside to an optimum temperature earlier than hitting the highway. As an alternative of getting within the automotive and ready for the cabin to warmth up and the home windows to defrost, drivers can begin the preconditioning course of forward of time. If this course of is began whereas the automotive remains to be plugged in, the motive force can begin their route on a full battery. And because the cabin will already be at a snug temperature, they’ll devour much less vitality on the journey, too. 

Many EVs even have a battery preconditioning characteristic that may regulate the battery’s temperature for optimum charging on the finish of a visit. Correct battery preconditioning can prolong the vary of your EVs in colder months, in addition to protect their batteries for the long run, however not all automobiles will do it robotically. Some EVs would require drivers to begin the preconditioning course of by way of an app or different guide system, so it’s vital to double-check how preconditioning works in your fleet’s EVs.   

Optimize Your Wearable Components  

One of many beauties of EVs is that they’ve about 30% fewer components than ICE automobiles — usually making for much less winter prep work.

However whereas there are fewer transferring components and methods that want common upkeep, drivers ought to nonetheless bear in mind to verify and exchange the usual “wearable” items of their EVs earlier than a chilly snap arrives.  

Tires could make an enormous distinction in driving by way of winter climate, so make sure that your fleet’s tires are correctly inflated (which ensures much less rolling resistance and might prolong your vary) and have sufficient tread. Relying in your location, you would possibly even contemplate swapping all-purpose tires for an acceptable winter model. It’s additionally a good suggestion to verify that every one headlight bulbs and windshield wipers are working correctly, which may be invaluable when your drivers are venturing by way of snow and sleet.  

Driving by way of winter climate is hardly a good time, however with an intensive understanding of EV efficiency and a little bit of preparation, you possibly can guarantee your electrified fleet is well-equipped to deal with frigid temperatures and snowy streets safely and effectively.

Chris Knosp is the director of fleet electrification at Mike Albert Fleet Options

Initially posted on Charged Fleet