Electric Cars and Winter

Electric Cars and Winter range - is this a big mis-sell? or a misunderstanding?

Not unlike the political scene, the UK’s weather has seen some topsy turvy results, with near record high and low temperatures in November and December. And the connection between the climate and your electric car is something which has not been altogether understood in the UK, with many dealerships and leasing brokers not utilising more robust temperature metrics for the range on an EV or even bringing this to the customer’s attention.

It was therefore unsurprising when temperatures of -10C hit the UK during mid-December that forums, social media platforms and the automotive industry was hit with a swathe of complaints and queries from customers in relation to their EV. Suddenly there was an influx of questions - will electric cars be impacted by cold? Will electric cars have less range in cold?

Will EVs work in snow or ice? And, as ever, there was a cross-section of opinions with some suggesting there is a mis-selling exercise whereas others were suggesting it is a lack of education within the automotive industry.

To be clear on two points - e-car lease do not believe there is an active mis-selling of EVs across the new car industry, purchase or lease, AND temperature (as well as driving style and behaviours) will influence your range. But, as you see below, this probably needs a little more explanation and clarity.

Audi E-TRON GT SALOON390kW Quattro 93kWh 4dr Auto [C+S] Electric Car Lease

What information should an electric car / van customer receive?

When a personal or business customer researches a new EV, it is likely they will look at a number of leasing broker, dealership and price comparison websites. And while we all want the best deal, what customers do need to understand is that the cheapest price is not necessarily the right solution for your needs and requirements.

Regardless of how cheap the purchase price or monthly cost is, if the car or van isn’t right for you then this will be little recompense to your circumstances. If you want the best analysis and data on an electric car then head to the EV Database - a leading data provider which is accelerating sustainable transport through clear, honest and pertinent information.

To help our electric car lease customers we have integrated the EVDB data into the customer journey via our “living with your …” analysis. And one of the key reasons for doing so was that we recognised range was a simple numeric entry on most other websites without any real context.

Many adverts for EVs will actually provide a customer with a WLTP analysis of the range, providing only one overall combined figure. And while this is the case for combustion engines, because EVs are a newer concept and have so much political, social and economic support behind them, there is added pressure on this transition. And unlike a combustion option, the fuelling aspects are admittedly more onerous and potentially problematic.

With regards to information there is a difficult balance between customers having enough information to make an informed decision as opposed to too much to saturate their process. Customers will need to understand the different phrases and descriptions being adopted, for example bhp or ps has been replaced with kW (kilowatt) and the engine size (CC) will now be replaced with kWh (kilowatt hour).

The charging time from 0 - 100% on AC (a slower / overnight session) needs to be compared against the 10 - 80% session on a DC charger (fast charge or rapid charge). Not every EV will charge at the same speed and based on your likely lifestyle i.e. will you charge at home or on the public network?

There are other elements like the charging cost and cost per mile which help customers appreciate the Whole of Life costs if making a comparison between BEVs v Combustion. With an EV there is very much a lifestyle commitment which, if properly researched, can be undertaken with relative ease. But there does need to be some planning and organisation before the car arrives. For example, ensure you have a dedicated domestic charge point and the Zap Map app downloaded before your new EV arrives!

All of this is expertly highlighted in our EV EPC© which is THE most robust way of understanding how an electric car will impact you or the company fleet.

EV EPC©

Is Range the most important aspect of an EV for business and personal customers? And does winter impact this?

While range is a key part of the EV comparison - this is not the only facet which a customer should consider. The distance the EV could travel on a full charge is only relevant if that is your realistic daily commute, particularly where you have an overnight charge point solution organised.

With average annual mileage for most of the UK around 10,000, range for most EVs is more than ample enough. There are other aspects like charging times (shown as AC and DC) and the efficiency of the battery which need to be taken on board. Where many customers find frustrations is with the ability of the EV to charge quickly enough for them; for high mileage customers using motorway services and public destination charge points, this is crucial.

On the notion of range, to be clear to our customers, you will note that our “real world range” analysis is very clear on how the EV will perform, with weather (cold and mild) and driving conditions (city and highway) is set out. When the climate becomes colder there is an added pressure on your battery to reach an ambient temperature to operate effectively, coupled with the added requirements of maintaining a warm cabin, heated seats, air conditioning and so forth.

This is why some customers will plug their EV into a dedicated charge point when pre-climate functions are being utilised in the colder weather. It is more efficient, to use the energy from your home (or work) than your batteries in this circumstance. But regardless, the colder weather will reduce battery efficiency and performance, the extent to which varies between manufacturer.

Audi E-TRON GT SALOON390kW Quattro 93kWh 4dr Auto [C+S] Electric Car Lease UK

At the very least expect a 15% - 20% reduction in your range during winter, particularly if you are using more motorways and dual carriageways. You may need to factor more stops for rapid charging and increased running costs, due to more charging sessions. But do not panic, the snow / ice will not preclude your vehicle from working and it is as equally safe to drive as any combustion option. While many EVs will be available in an AWD format, you may be advised to get winter tyres if you have any concerns.

As our EV customer journey demonstrates, it is more than possible to minimise the hurdles and obstacles which EV driving can create. All that our e-car lease team asks is that you take the necessary time and effort to review this key information properly.

In terms of the car shown, the Audi E-TRON GT SALOON 390kW Quattro 93kWh 4dr Auto [C+S] (Pure Electric Vehicle), this is based on the following configuration: