Fleet Managers – Electric Vehicle Maintenance during Winter
As public interest in electric vehicles (EVs) grows, it’s critical for drivers to understand the distinctions between these vehicles and petrol / diesel vehicles, especially during the winter months.
Although electric vehicles have numerous advantages, such as improved fuel efficiency, there are certain drawbacks to consider. It’s especially important to be aware of these possible issues during the winter, when inclement weather may transform a car breakdown into a life-threatening situation. This article discusses frequent EV problems and how to prepare such vehicles for the winter.
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Wheels and Tyres Create Concerns
Wheel or tyre difficulties are one of the most common issues for electric vehicles, according to new information from LV=Britannia Rescue. In fact, while many individuals are concerned about their vehicle’s batteries running out of power, during the last three years, issues affecting wheels and tyres have caused roughly three times as many breakdowns as dead batteries. Furthermore, EVs have a greater risk of wheel and tyre troubles, leaving motorists stuck, according to this study, than diesel or petrol automobiles.
Specifically, the research shows:
37% of electric vehicle breakdowns were due to wheel or tyre issues.A dead battery was the cause of 11% of all EV failures.Wheel or tyre problems accounted for 16% of vehicle failures in petrol and diesel vehicles.
Due to the extra weight caused by EVs’ batteries, industry experts anticipate that wheel or tyre difficulties may be increasingly likely. After all, electric vehicles may weigh up to 50% more than gasoline or diesel automobiles. Furthermore, many car manufacturers no longer supply a spare wheel as standard equipment. As a result, drivers are less capable of repairing a wheel or tyre problem on their own.
How to Prepare Electric Vehicles During Winter
EVs are more susceptible to issues in cold temperatures and other situations. Both tyres and wheels, as well as batteries, might cause these issues. Drivers should take the following precautions to keep themselves safe while driving electric vehicles and reduce their chances of being stranded on the road:
Check your tyres on a regular basis. As the aforementioned study revealed, it’s critical to keep an eye on an electric vehicle’s tyres and wheels. This involves routinely inspecting tyre quality, alignment, and pressure. More information about these inspections should be available in the appropriate manufacturer’s documentation for each EV.
Keep an eye on the weather. EV battery difficulties are still a worry, even though they aren’t as common as tyre and wheel problems. Low temperatures and moisture can impair a battery’s performance, making it more likely to run out of charge in cold or wet circumstances. Before going on a journey, drivers should check the weather prediction and anticipate to acquire somewhat less battery charge than they would under ideal conditions.
Make use of pre-heating options. Most electric vehicles offer a pre-heat option that may be used to warm and defrost the vehicle. This is the most effective method for warming up an electric vehicle that has been exposed to cold weather. Starting an EV and leaving it to idle while warming up, like you would a combustion engine car, may cause the battery to be depleted faster than usual.
In Conclusion
Driving in the winter may be dangerous for a variety of reasons. A car breakdown, in addition to the dangers of limited visibility and bad road conditions, can pose an urgent threat during the winter. That is why it is vital for drivers to prepare their electric vehicles for the next winter months. Furthermore, electric vehicles represent a substantial financial commitment. It is possible to lose a lot of money if you don’t take adequate care of them.
As the UK gets closer to the government’s 2030 deadline for banning the sale of combustion engine vehicles, EVs are projected to become increasingly widespread. With this in mind, drivers must be aware of how these cars differ from what they are accustomed to.
