There’s no denying that cold weather slows EV charging. Both charging speed and battery performance take a hit when temperatures drop. But with the right prep, you’ll barely notice the difference. Knowing how cold weather affects your EV will keep you carefree—and your battery powered—through the winter. Here are the main points:
- Cold weather slows EV charging by 20-50% depending on temperature, because battery chemistry operates less efficiently below about 60°F.
- Level 2 home charging is less affected than public DC fast charging, which can take twice as long in extreme cold.
- Battery preconditioning (warming your battery before charging or driving) dramatically improves charging speed and efficiency.
- At-home charging overnight gives your battery plenty of time to warm up naturally, making cold weather less of an issue for daily driving.
- Slow charging and range loss is temporary: Your battery’s performance returns to normal once temperatures warm up, with no long-term damage.
Read all about it on the Energy Sage website.