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As overnight temperatures fall to 7°C or lower on Monday in major UK cities including London, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow, 1.6 million EV owners are being urged to check whether their vehicle supports automatic battery pre-heating – or risk mileage performance.
George Penny, EV Charging Expert and Director at The Solar Co comments:
“Once temperatures drop below 7°C at night, EV batteries perform less efficiently. Research estimates that typical EV models may see a 20% drop in estimated range capacity in autumn and winter, with colder temperatures reducing the efficiency of EV batteries.
Older EV models from car manufacturers including Audi, Volkswagen and Skoda may lack this key car component.”
Here George’s 4 practical ways the UK’s 1.6 million EV drivers can keep their batteries performing this Autumn:
“To counter the poorer performance of cold EV batteries, EV drivers should pre-heat their battery before driving. Preheating or pre-conditioning your EV while it’s still charging at home means the warmth comes from the grid, not your battery.
Many models, such as Tesla Y and Hyundai 6 have built-in pre-heat features, but others such as earlier models of Audi Q4, VW4 and Skoda Enyak may not have this feature – requiring these car owners to manually pre-heat the battery whilst charging it.
Secondhand EV-owners, who are more likely to drive older models, should check their vehicle specifications online to confirm if their model includes pre-conditioning functions before temperatures drop, to ensure they maintain their peak car range.”
“Heating your entire cabin is one of the biggest drains on an EV’s battery. Running your EV’s main heater can sap around 5–6 miles of range per hour compared to just 0.3 miles per hour of heated seats.
It’s therefore advised to keep passengers warm directly through heating the steering wheel and seats to use less energy.
For a typical EV owner charging up at home and on the standard variable rate, this energy saving measure could offer around £23 in savings across the winter months – this is because using the main heater for may typically use around 1.4kWh of energy from the battery, which equates to around 5 miles lost at a cost £0.37 per hour. Meanwhile, heated seats will use 0.09kWh, taking just 0.3 miles of energy at a cost of £0.02 per hour of use, creating a direct saving of £0.35 per hour. By switching to this heating method for one hour per day, five days a week across a 12-week wintery period, drivers can save £21 on their energy bills.
“Autumn brings rain, leaves and strong winds – all of which make roads trickier. Drivers often brake harder or accelerate suddenly to correct steering, but both drain an EV’s battery.
Studies demonstrate that aggressive driving, through sharp braking and acceleration, can reduce battery range by up to 30%. This drop in performance means EV motorists heading into Autumn weather will be wasting around £4.74 per week in extra charging (assuming one full charge weekly) – adding up to about £57 over a 12-week period.
That’s why it’s crucial to drive smoothly as the weather gets cooler – boosting safety while stretching your mileage.”
“Parking indoors helps maintain a steady temperature for your EV’s battery, which improves efficiency and range the next morning.
If you don’t have access to a garage, sheltered or covered parking still makes a difference by shielding your EV from frost and cold winds.
Additionally, research suggests that EV blankets maintain car battery temperatures by up to 7°C at night. This highlights the value of also investing in a blanket to help maintain battery performance during cold weather. With temperatures expected to drop below 7°C from Monday, using one may be crucial for protecting your EV battery in the long term.”
Notes to editors
Energy savings from heating car seats instead of the entire cabin can be estimated using a standard 60 kWh EV with an efficiency of 3.5 miles per kWh. According to Gridserve estimates:
That means switching to heated seats instead of the main heater saves about £0.35 per hour.
Assuming one hour of use per day, five days per week, across 12 weeks in winter, the total saving would be around £21.
To estimate the cost impact of aggressive driving in an EV, we drew on research indicating that harsh driving styles can increase energy consumption by approximately 30% compared with smooth driving.
For modelling purposes, we assumed a standard 60 kWh EV with an efficiency of 3.5 miles per kWh. Under these conditions, a 30% increase in consumption equates to around 15 kWh of additional energy use per full charge.
We then assumed one full charge per week. At the standard variable home charging rate of 26.35p/kWh (October–December), this additional energy demand corresponds to an added cost of £4.74 per week.
Extrapolated over a 12-week winter period, the total additional cost attributable to aggressive driving was estimated at £56.88.
About George Penny
Based in Bromley, George Penny is the Director of The Solar Co. He has a passion for leading the UK’s transition to efficient and reliable renewable solutions for households and businesses alike.
About The Solar Co
The Solar Co is a leading UK-based renewable energy installer specialising in solar panels, battery storage, and EV charging solutions for residential, commercial, and new-build properties. Serving London and the South East, including areas like Bromley, Kent, and Croydon, the company is committed to helping customers reduce energy bills and carbon footprints through high-quality, MCS-certified installations.
With a focus on customer education and support, The Solar Co offers an interactive savings calculator, transparent consultations, and assistance with grant applications.
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