One of the most common complaints levied against electric vehicles is that range can suffer in cold weather, potentially making EVs less than ideal transportation during the winter months. However, Chevy EV models like the Equinox EV are equipped with a range of features that can help balance out these issues, from climate control, to charging. Now, Chevrolet is detailing some of these features in the following brief videos.
The videos are around a minute long, and briefly outline how to maximize range in your Chevy EV during the winter.
The first video covers “winter-proofing,” which includes tips like regularly checking the vehicle tire pressure to ensure that the pressure is not too low as a result of the colder temperatures. As the video points out, properly inflated tires improve overall range, not to mention safety. The video also states that owners should remember to keep the vehicle’s sensors and cameras clear of dirt and debris in order to ensure that the various onboard systems work as intended, while the electric chargers should be clean of water and other debris in order to keep a secure connection with the charging port. The video also recommends carrying an ice scraper.
The second video covers how to keep the cabin comfortable and warm, all while still maintaining efficiency. This includes using ECO Climate Mode, which optimizes heating and cooling airflow based on where passengers are seated in order to maximize HVAC system efficacy. The video also states that heated seats and heated steering wheels are a great way to warm up without wasting energy.
The third and final video discusses things like charging tips, suggesting that users keep their Chevy EV plugged in when not in use. This keeps the battery temperature and charge at the optimal level for performance and range, even when it’s cold. The video also states cabin pre-conditioning is essential in the winter, and demonstrates how to set the vehicle’s pre-conditioning schedule so that it’s ready to go before getting behind the wheel. Finally, Remote Start is another effective way to ensure that the vehicle is comfortable and ready to go before getting onboard.
Comments
These are good tips and will certainly help, but they’re common to virtually every EV. Pre-conditioning the battery via a charging cable was present even in the Nissan Leaf with its aging CHAdeMO connector. A better point in defense of the Equinox is its adoption of a heat pump, which users have noted consumes less energy (anecdotal reports say it uses 1/4 of the energy) than the Chevy Bolt’s resistive heater.
Heat pumps very inefficient below about 20 degrees F. Not enough heat to melt heavy snow falling on windshields. If you had a heat pump in your home you’d know this is fact.
1 degree this morning and my Hellcat powered TRX fired right up. Didn’t need to mess with anything.
Scores of Teslas dead in the Chicago deep freeze .
Well if people stupidly go to a charger with 1kwh left to burn they deserve it. Even ice owners go to the gas station BEFORE the storm to fill up. Thats why they got dead! If you burn all your gas and do nothing ice would be dead too. So it was stupid people decisions.
Or you can just tow it with your Silverado.
Trump will get rid of EV ‘s
Think again. He will remove edicts. Almost all the battery plants ARE IN RED STATES! LOL.
Steve, as of this morning the EV horror is officially over. No more of your hard earned tax dollars used to subsidise one of the green new deals ridiculous experiments. GOOD RIDDANCE!
President Trump will fix ANY hesitation of EV range issue or warm up issues in winter climates by grabbing the EV’s by it’s p ussy! The car will be warmed up so fast! Problem solved day one!
All the Evs I been seeing in this polar vortex the window all fogged up, that’s safe. People are scared to defrost the windows and being stranded with a dead battery. Several days in up state ny going below zero at night. No thanks on an ev. Amazon delivery truck is charging at a grocery store just trying to get enough juice to finish he’s route.