How does cold weather affect electric cars?

Tesla Model 3 drivers may notice a difference in colder weather. This vehicle, one of the UK’s most popular EVs [2], has an average 29.57% loss of range in cold weather but it still offers a strong level of performance. Our data also signals the Mini Cooper SE and BMW i4 see a slightly larger drop in range when temperatures are lower.

To compile these tables, we analysed data from the EV Database, calculating the average percentage loss in range across different temperatures for the UK’s most popular EVs, based on DVLA registration figures.

Is cold weather bad for electric cars?

The simple explanation for the change in EV performance during colder temperatures is that energy just does not move as fast.

Motability explains ‘The batteries in EVs, called lithium-ion batteries, work best when the outdoor temperature is around 20°-25°C. They make electricity through chemical reactions to power the car. But when it gets cold, these reactions slow down which can make the battery less efficient.’

Electric vehicles also use their battery power to help keep you and your passengers warm. They don’t have any excess heat from the engine that can be used to warm the interior. This also has an effect on the battery power.

How cold is too cold for an EV battery? You have to wait for the weather to go well below freezing (most EVs will operate down to -20°C) before having any issues with charging at all.

However, there are ways to manage this reduced capacity. Remember, a little bit of cold won’t damage the car but it will affect its performance.

Electric car charging in cold weather

A cold battery will have limited charging speed as it needs to protect its cells. This means it’s likely to take longer for your EV to reach the charge you need, with AutoTrader suggesting rapid charging could take up to 45 minutes instead of the usual half hour and overnight charging taking a couple of hours longer than in warmer weather.

Should you plug in your EV every night during cold weather? Yes, as this will help you get the car ready if you need to get going in the morning and keep the battery management system running.

Of course, public charging points will be affected by colder weather so plan accordingly and prepare for longer queues and waits.

How can I improve my EV range in cold weather?

You can use the preconditioning feature to set the EV’s interior temperature before even leaving your house. Motability notes how some EVs have battery preconditioning - meaning that this also operates at the ideal temperature and heats up/cools down automatically while you’re driving.

Eco mode, which focuses the battery power in areas where it’s needed most can also help keep your battery running for longer. It works in a similar way to your phone battery’s low power mode - helping you get that bit further as you seek the next charging point.

Regenerative braking [3] - using kinetic energy generated by braking to top up your battery and power your vehicle - can also add a few extra miles to your range. If your EV offers this feature, it’s best used when going down a long, steep hill. Just make a note that this might not work at its optimum level when the battery is freezing cold.

How to prepare your EV for cold weather driving?

While you might have concerns around driving your EV in colder temperatures, there really is nothing to worry about - Norway is the EV capital of the world, after all.

Just remember that the cold affects the range of miles you can drive, so it might be worth looking into your EV’s specific winter performance before embarking on any kind of road trip. If you are thinking of driving further afield, why not share the drive with temporary car insurance? You can swap places at the charging station.

Of course, it’s not just electric vehicle drivers who should take extra care in colder temperatures. The lower temperatures can affect all types of cars and how they drive, so it’s important to stay adaptable.

Claire Wills-McKissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, offers some final advice tips to help if EV driving in the winter is leaving you cold: 

“Keep Your EV Charged

Cold weather can make your battery less efficient, so aim to start journeys with a full charge. Even short trips benefit from a top-up before you set off.

Plan Your Routes

Use route-planning tools to locate charging points along the way. In winter, adding a little extra time to your journey ensures you won’t be caught out.

Adjust Driving Style

Smoother acceleration, gentle braking, and keeping your speeds moderate can really help maximise efficiency in colder weather. Eco-driving mode is also useful all year, but you’ll likely notice the biggest difference in winter, helping your battery stretch further.”

Sources & Methodology

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/advice/electric-cars-in-winter

https://news.motability.co.uk/motoring/how-to-look-after-ev-cold-weather

https://www.mg.co.uk/blog/how-does-cold-weather-affect-electric-cars

• A list of the top EVs was compiled from DVLA data on new registrations in the last 4 quarters (starting from most recent quarter available 2025 Q2).
• For each EV model, we then analysed the variants listed as currently available on ev-database.org.
• For each variant the % difference between the combined range for in mild weather and the combined range in cold weather was calculated. EV Database defines cold weather as 'worst-case' based on -10°C and use of heating and mild weather as 'best-case' based on 23°C and no use of A/C.
• The average for each variant was then taken for each model, and the models were ranked.
• The MG ZS was omitted as ev-database.org has no models listed as currently available.
• The Vauxhall vehicles appear on ev-database.org under the Opel brand name as used outside the UK.

The range estimates in the source are indicative only and actual range may vary depending on real world conditions.

Data accurate as of 27/11/2025.

[1]https://www.mg.co.uk/blog/how-does-cold-weather-affect-electric-cars 

[2]https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-group-tests/368366/tesla-model-3-vs-mercedes-cla-which-ev-elite-executive-car 

[3)]https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tips-advice/353643/regenerative-braking-what-it-and-how-does-it-work