Everything you need to know for electric cars in winter with driving expert Carl Nadeau
This winter, feel more prepared than ever with former racecar driver Carl Nadeau's driving tips! Learn how to master the roads with your electric vehicle. With the best winter driving advice, you can get to and from your destination with peace of mind, every single time.
Why Choose Michelin Winter Tires for your Electric Car
Wondering why you should choose Michelin winter tires for your electric car? Look no further. Learn all about Michelin's high-performing winter tires that are compatible with regular ICE cars, as well as hybrid and electric cars.
Discover the many reasons why Michelin winter tires are the best option for your EV with professional former racecar driver and driving expert Carl Nadeau. With improved treadwear, reduced noise, and increased range, Michelin tires are undoubtedly the best choice when it comes to winter tires for hybrid and electric cars.
For more information, check out our Winter Tire Guide for Hybrid & Electric Cars.
Winter Tires VS. All-Season Tires for Electric Vehicles
When it comes to winter tires, whether you drive an ICE, hybrid, or electric vehicle, the need is the same. Though you may wonder, what is the difference between winter tires and all-season tires? Overall, winter tires provide better traction than all-season tires. Michelin winter tires not only provide shorter stopping distances than all-season tires, but they are also designed to perform in all winter conditions, whether that be slush, snow, or ice. Rest assured that you can rely on Michelin winter tires to get you and your family to your destination safe and sound, every single time.
If you want more help to choose winter tires, take a look at our Guide to Find the Best Winter Tires for Your Vehicle.
Improved Rolling Resistance for Electric Vehicles
Since the 1970s, Michelin has been innovating to create energy-efficient tires. One of the main concerns when it comes to energy efficiency is range. Michelin winter tires are designed to provide improved rolling resistance, allowing you to consume less energy in your electric vehicle and drive longer distances. At the same time, they provide traction, durability, and a quiet ride. Watch the video below for more details.
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Noise Reduction Technology for Electric Vehicles
One of the main concerns of electric vehicle owners when it comes to winter driving is noise. When driving on winter tires with an electric car, tire noise is more noticeable. However, Michelin has created tires that are designed MICHELIN® Acoustic Technology which uses piano noise reduction tuning. This technology reduces vibrations, in turn lowering cabin noise. Keep your family safe while also enjoying a peaceful ride with Michelin winter tires.
Electric Vehicle Winter Driving Tips
With Michelin's high-performance winter tires, you can drive with peace of mind. Discover everything you need to know when it comes to winter driving in an electric car. Carl Nadeau provides his top recommendations and tips for winter driving in your EV. As electric vehicles are heavier than ICE vehicles due to the battery, the experience is quite different. Nadeau explains the best practices when it comes to tire pressure, stopping distance, accelerating, turning, and more.
The Difference Between ICE Vehicles & Electric Vehicles
Discover the differences between ICE cars and electric cars when it comes to winter driving. Electric vehicles are known to be heavier, so the driving experience is quite different. Nadeau tackles various concerns such as braking, accelerating, cornering, range, and more.
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Carl Nadeau, professional driving expert and Michelin ambassador, highlights three key differences: weight, range, and torque delivery. EVs are heavier than ICE vehicles due to battery packs, which increases stopping distances and requires even larger following distances in winter. Range is meaningfully reduced by cold weather—plan for 20–40% less range in harsh Canadian winters. And instant torque delivery requires particularly smooth accelerator inputs on slippery surfaces—abrupt acceleration can overwhelm even winter tires more easily than in ICE vehicles.
The expert recommendation is smooth, early braking. EVs often have strong regenerative braking that can be adjusted in the vehicle settings—in slippery winter conditions, reducing regenerative braking aggressiveness allows for more gradual deceleration and reduces the risk of triggering traction loss on deceleration. Begin braking earlier and more gently than you would in dry conditions or in a lighter ICE vehicle. The ABS will help in emergency stops, but proper winter tires and early braking are far more effective than relying on electronics.
Acceleration: apply the accelerator very gently from a stop—instant torque can spin wheels even on winter tires. Let the car move before applying more throttle.
Turning: slow down before the corner in a straight line, then maintain a steady, low speed through the turn. Do not accelerate during the turn.
Comined inputs: avoid braking and turning simultaneously—decelerate first, then turn.
AWD EVs: AWD helps traction during acceleration but does nothing for stopping or cornering. Proper winter tires on all four wheels are still essential.
Nadeau emphasizes that winter tires for EVs must address three EV-specific priorities simultaneously: wear resistance (EVs already wear tires faster), low rolling resistance (to minimize range impact), and noise performance (cabin quiet makes tire noise more noticeable). Michelin's X-Ice Snow is specifically highlighted as meeting all three criteria while providing excellent winter traction. Nadeau also stresses fitting winter tires before the first cold snap—waiting for snow means driving on inappropriate tires for weeks in cold temperatures that already exceed all-season compound limitations.
Pre-condition: warm the battery and cabin while plugged in to optimize battery performance and range from the start.
Check tire pressure: cold-weather pressure drops reduce both safety and range.
Plan charging stops: account for reduced range and identify charging locations along the route.
Check winter tire condition: tread depth, pressure, and age—Michelin recommends replacing at 4/32".
Reduce speed: winter range and safety both improve at lower speeds—highway driving at 100 vs. 120 km/h meaningfully extends range in winter.
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