In winter, the range of an electric car can be reduced by up to 30 per cent in low temperatures. A lot of energy is lost when a cold car needs to warm up, especially if this happens several times a day. During winter use, for example, the vehicle heating, seat heating and steering wheel heating also need additional energy. The smaller the battery, the faster this extra energy consumption has an impact on the car’s range. Following just a few tips will help drivers to get through the winter without a problem, however. One solution, for example, is a heat pump that uses the waste heat generated by the electric drive for heating. More and more electric vehicles have a heat pump on board as standard, and in most cases it can also be retrofitted.
A conservative, energy-saving driving style pays off especially in winter. Those who can charge their battery at home have the option of using an app to preheat the car. This means that the vehicle is not only fully charged in the morning, but also already warm without any energy needed for this while driving. And once on the road, the seat heating doesn’t have to be set to the highest level. The charging process is faster, incidentally, if the car is in a garage and not outdoors in sub-zero temperatures.
Taking on snow an ice with the VW ID.4 GTX
To improve handling, electric cars that lack all-wheel drive are driven with the rear axle. This arrangement makes them more manoeuvrable and leads to good road grip when road surfaces are good. However, rear-wheel drive vehicles often reach their limits when they are driven on snow and ice. The safest way to travel on such surfaces is with four-wheel drive, but even then, not all four-wheel drive electric cars perform the same when tested under winter conditions.
The VW ID.4 GTX does very well even on slippery roads and lends itself to winter driving. The electric dual-motor all-wheel drive with one electric motor on the rear axle and one on the front ensures good winter performance. If necessary, the front-wheel drive is engaged – variable, lightning-fast and highly efficient. The centrepiece of this system is the Driving Dynamics Manager, which orchestrates the complex interplay between the electric motors, brakes, shock absorbers, stability control, all-wheel drive control, electronic cross-lock, and chassis.
Under real-life conditions, the VW ID.4 GTX always holds the lane and can be easily controlled even when there is ice and snow on the road. When taking off from a stop, the electric car carefully applies just enough power to the ground to ensure traction and prevent wheelspin. The car promptly responds to steering movements and acceleration inputs while remaining stable. Even under extreme driving conditions such as drifting, the VW ID.4 GTX still handles well, with the power being directed precisely to the wheels that need it. Driving safely in the winter can still be fun, even when the road surfaces are slippery.
