EV in Various Weather Conditions

Whether you drive gas-powered or electric vehicles, you always need to adjust your driving habits to accommodate various weather situations, be it dry roads, high winds, icy streets or rainy conditions. However, the special profile of an EV involves a few unique weather-related issues to consider before you venture out.

An electric vehicle’s heavier weight and its powerful instant torque are partly what makes a difference, especially in wintery or rainy weather. When conditions turn challenging, the choice of tires for electric cars goes a long way in offering excellent wet grip or snow and ice confidence.

How weather affects an electric vehicle’s battery is also key to getting the most out of an EV. Let’s take a closer look at various weather conditions, how they impact an electric car, and what drivers can do to improve the efficiency and performance of their vehicles. We’ll also cover the connection between EV tires and weather and what are the best tires for electric vehicles and driving in rain, snow, summer or all season.

When temperatures drop below freezing, EV owners might have to de-ice their windshields, but they also must think about their vehicle’s battery. Cold weather is a challenge, particularly in how it impacts EV battery efficiency. Vehicle range can drop as temperatures dip below freezing. 

What happens to an electric vehicle battery that makes it so sensitive to cold? Even a gas-powered vehicle needs time to start when it gets cold outside. That’s because batteries simply work better in warmer conditions whereas freezing temperatures slow down their chemical reactions. The end result is that an EV battery has to work harder when it is cold out, which in turn reduces range.

Then there’s the need to heat the cabin when driving in winter, which diverts battery energy away from a longer ride. Icy roads also demand more battery capacity, as the vehicle’s traction system requires more power to navigate slippery conditions. 

Beyond driving in cold weather, EV owners also have to think about the effects of cold on the long-term health of their car’s battery. Regular exposure to extremely cold temperatures can shorten the lifespan of an EV battery because of increased strain and damage to charging anodes. An EV’s thermal management system for keeping a battery warm can counteract this, but not without reducing the vehicle’s range.

Fortunately, EV owners can mitigate the effects of cold temperatures in various ways. Planning ahead is probably the most important step by charging your car’s battery at home before you leave. It is also a good idea to pre-heat your vehicle cabin to a comfortable temperature while still plugged in. If possible, heat the environment where you are charging your electric vehicle to improve charging efficiency. It takes longer to charge a battery when it is cold because of how low temperatures increase internal resistance and can slow down the process. 

If your battery is low while you are still out in cold weather, consider using the heated seats or heated steering wheel instead of the heat, which require less power.¹ And if you do need to charge up while away from your home base, make sure the thermal management system of your electric car is set to precondition and heat up the battery for optimal charging.
 

While cold weather is the biggest challenge for electric vehicles, hotter temperatures also require some attention. Studies show that EV range drops by 4% when the temperature rises above 35 °C. Turn on a vehicle’s air conditioning and the number rises to 17%, which is a big drain on your battery.¹ If you are trying to extend your drive or running low on a charge, opening the windows is probably your best option, although even open windows do exert some aerodynamic drag on a vehicle.

Like extreme cold, extreme heat can also affect the long-term health of your battery. Chemical reactions are continually taking place in a battery, and heat speeds up these processes. EV owners should consider charging their batteries in off-peak evening or nighttime hours to limit the negative effects of heat on a battery lifecycle, as well as helping the electricity grid to better function during daytime hours. You might also consider letting your battery cool down after driving in the heat to improve charging and strain it less. 

Besides cold and heat, humidity can also take a toll on an electric vehicle battery. Over time, humidity will corrode a battery’s electrical components and impair how a charger functions. The best is to park your vehicle in a cool, dry place when possible. Look for shady spots, underground garages or climate-controlled environments as ways to limit the negative effects of heat and humidity on electric vehicles.

One word about rain: surveys show that some people believe electric vehicles and rain do not go together, like electricity and water. However, that is simply a myth. EVs can be driven in rain or charged in rain, even in heavy rain, and have of course been designed so that all major components are protected from water, particularly the batteries. 

So, what about tires for an electric vehicle and do they make a difference in various weather conditions? Tires play a big role in the handling and stability of any type of vehicle. Choosing tires designed for EVs is important regardless of the weather because of an EV’s heavier weight but also its instant torque and faster acceleration, both of which are harder on tires.

Come winter, especially in icy, snow conditions, the demands an EV places on tires multiply. Electric vehicle tires need to be able to handle the weight and power of an EV, and winter tires can definitely improve EV traction and braking performance on snowy or slippery roads.

EV owners should consider the Michelin X-Ice Snow tire, which has been designed to offer optimal safety and winter traction. Other options are the Michelin Pilot Alpin and Latitude Alpin tire. All these tire families have been engineered with Michelin’s low tire noise and range-extending technologies to deliver a quiet, extended drive, plus superior handling and grip for winter driving.

Come summertime, tires on an electric vehicle also make a difference. “Summer EV tires” are essentially tires that maximize the performance aspects of an EV and its impressive instant torque. These tires are designed for improved grip and handling, but without increasing rolling resistance, the enemy of an EV’s range.

The Michelin Pilot Sport EV tire summer checks all the boxes for a great warm-weather tire, thanks to its low rolling resistance compounds that get you farther on a single charge while offering great handling and performance. For EV owners wanting to unleash the full power of their vehicles under sunny skies, the Pilot Sport Family of tires offers excellent dry braking. That means a lot of fun for instant torque fans who want to show off what their EV can do, but with tires that can safely handle all that power. 

If you live in a relatively temperate climate not prone to either extreme cold or heat, you might want to opt for Michelin CrossClimate family, one of the best EV Ready tires for peace of mind no matter what the weather. The Primacy family tires are designed for your driving needs by combining efficiency, all-weather handling, and great traction for a quiet and comfortable ride.

Whether you drive an EV or a gas-powered car, weather conditions always pose challenges to driving safely and comfortably. Choosing the right tires for your electric vehicle for whatever climate you live in helps improve handling, safety and performance come rain or shine, snow or heat. And while protecting the health and range of your EV battery in extreme temperatures is one of the EV’s unique challenges, a few simple precautions ensure you can get the most out of your vehicle. 

Michelin has been designing and producing tires for every type of weather for decades. This expertise is now more important than ever, given the demands of electric vehicles on tires. Michelin tires are EV-ready, and provide excellent range, wear and low tire noise, along with tire families that have been specially engineered for summer or winter to deliver a long, luxurious ride no matter what the weather.

For more facts and information about tires for electric cars, visit our FAQ page. Use the Tire Selector module here below to start shopping for the right tire for your vehicle or visit the Shop EV Tires page for an overview of Michelin’s EV-Ready tires.