Avoid charging stress in winter? These tips will guide you through the freezing cold

You've probably noticed it in recent weeks: due to the freezing temperatures and night frosts, your electric car doesn't go as far as it usually does. However, a well-prepared driver is worth two. With these five golden tips, you’ll still reach your destination smoothly.

Be aware of a reduced driving range: always plug in your car

Not only during driving do the kilometers melt away quickly. Even when your car is parked, you'll lose some driving range. Have a long trip ahead? Always plug in your car so you start every journey with the fullest possible battery. Make sure to check via your car or app that the battery is indeed charging. This will help you avoid unexpected and especially unpleasant surprises.

Park inside and warm up your car’s battery

Fast charging is also slower in winter than usual. The cold temperature of the battery and other environmental factors significantly affect the speed. Try parking your car indoors and pre-heating it. This will save you valuable time. Also, by heating the seat instead of the air, you'll use less of your battery.

Keep your cable and socket dry

With temperatures dropping well below 0°C at night, your charging cable can freeze. Prevent this by drying both your cable and socket before plugging them in. Is your charging cable frozen? No worries! Don’t pour hot water over it; instead, fill a hot water bottle and hold it against the frozen cable. The ice will melt, and the cable will come loose.

Brake smartly and charge your battery that way

Even in winter conditions, you can still use your battery efficiently. By braking or slowing down regeneratively, you can recharge your battery while driving. If your battery is nearly empty, switch to your car's eco mode.

Plan your trip carefully

Got a longer trip planned? Be sure to map out your route and check online for available charging points. This time, choosing is winning, because with your EnergyVision charging card, you have access to over 82,000 charging points across the country.

Discover our full network through the app or at Charging at 0.35 €/kWh | EnergyVision