Electric vehicle battery performance during the colder months can suffer, with EVs losing 20% to 30% range in cold weather, according to webuyanycar.
The company explained that when the temperature drops, an electric car will use more energy from the battery to heat the car, and that energy will reduce the power available.
Analysis of EV market statistics shows that between January and October 2025, registrations for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) grew by 28.9% and 37.1% YoY, respectively.
In contrast, petrol registrations fell by 8.5%, and diesel saw a sharper decline, with registrations down 15.1%.
webuyanycar said that winter weather, like wind or ice, increases the resistance of the car, meaning more energy is needed to drive.
Additionally, darker conditions mean headlights are on for longer.
Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar, said: “Optimal charge temperature for an electric car in the UK is 15–25°C.
“Cold weather, particularly freezing temperatures, can result in a slower charge.
“Battery charging performance can be slowed down in freezing temperatures because the chemical reactions occurring in the battery are less efficient outside of their optimal temperature range.”
He also explained that the summer months pose a similar threat. When temperatures reach over 30°C, Evans explained that it is best to charge the car in the shade and avoid repeated fast chaging to avoid the strain on the battery.
He added: “To pay less for EV charging, off‑peak hours (roughly 00:30 to 05:30 GMT or 01:30 to 06:30 BST) are consistently the cheapest times to charge your car, especially with EV‑focused tariffs.
“Some companies offer EV tariffs or off-peak rates, which can optimise your per‑mile cost.
“Some energy companies will also offer ‘plunge pricing’, which is a special discount on public charging when energy supply is extra high.
“This allows EV drivers to choose which day to charge their car based on when they know there will be cheaper energy prices.
“Typically, plunge pricing offers are mid-week from Tuesday to Thursday.
“Plus, in the winter, modern plug-in EVs can save some range by pre-heating the cabin while still plugged in.
“Check to see if your EV has a pre-heating setting, and set this to kick in at least 30 minutes before you’re due to set off in the morning, allowing the car to draw the energy through the charging dock.
“Not only will this save you some range and efficiency, but it can also help with defrosting.”
Evans recommended that drivers not allow their vehicle’s batteries to go completely flat, keeping them above 20% and no higher than 80% is ideal.
He added: “If your EV has a non-LFP lithium-ion battery, for example, models such as the Nissan Leaf, VW ID series, Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq, avoid charging to 100% more than two to three times per week.
“This is because these batteries degrade faster when charged to their maximum capacity. Keeping the battery life between 20% and 80% will reduce chemical stress and slow down battery degradation.
“If your EV has an LFP battery, for example, models such as some newer Teslas and BYD EVs, charging to 100% daily is fine and won’t degrade the battery life.
“LFP batteries are less prone to degradation at higher states of charge.
“Charging to full battery on either battery type is recommended before long trips.
“Even for non-LFP lithium-ion batteries, charging to full battery once or twice a month can also help to calibrate the battery management system.”
