Electric vehicle winter driving tips and advice

• If your EV has a climate control timer or app, pre-heat the cabin while the car is plugged in. This improves comfort without using battery power.
• Plan your route in advance and stick to main roads where possible, as they’re more likely to be gritted and cleared.
• Check your battery charge and allow extra margin for delays. Cold weather reduces EV efficiency, so you may use more energy than usual.
• Clear all windows, mirrors, lights and sensors fully before driving. Carry a windscreen scraper and de-icer.
• Use air conditioning to demist the screen quickly. If possible, do this while still charging to preserve range.
• Remove snow from the roof, bonnet and lights, loose snow can slide onto the windscreen and obstruct your view.
• Carry warm clothing, food, water, sturdy footwear and a torch. In snowy conditions, a small spade can also be useful.
• If driving alone, use heated seats or a ‘driver only’ heating mode where available to stay warm while reducing energy use.

Poor visibility:

• Use headlights whenever visibility is significantly reduced.
• Use fog lights only when necessary and switch them off as soon as visibility improves.
• In heavy rain, hail or snow, use dipped headlights and reduce your speed.

When roads are icy or slushy:

• Only drive if the journey is essential.
• Stopping distances can be up to ten times longer, drive slowly and leave plenty of space.
• Pull away gently to avoid wheelspin.
• Drive smoothly, avoiding harsh acceleration, braking or steering inputs.
• Be aware that regenerative braking can be strong on slippery surfaces. If your EV allows adjustment, reduce regen strength in icy conditions.
• Watch for shaded areas, bridges and roads near trees or buildings, which can remain icy even when other areas are dry.
• If the car starts to skid, ease off the accelerator and steer gently, avoid sudden braking.
• When driving uphill, leave enough space so you don’t need to stop mid-slope.
• When driving downhill, slow down early and keep a safe distance from vehicles
• In wet weather:
• Stopping distances will be at least doubled as your tyres have less grip on the wet road, so leave more distance between you and the vehicle in front.
• If your steering becomes unresponsive, the water may be preventing your tyres from gripping the road, so ease off your accelerator and slow down gradually.
• If you come across a flooded road and the water seems too deep, find another route instead of risking breakdown by attempting to cross it.
  
  If it does seem shallow enough to cross, drive slowly and avoid the deepest water, which is usually near the kerb.
  
  Remember to test your brakes when you are through the flood before you drive at normal speed.

If you do get into trouble

• Do not use a mobile phone while driving. Instead, stop somewhere safe or ask a passenger to make the call.
• On motorways, use roadside emergency telephones where possible, as they help emergency services locate you quickly. If you have to use a mobile phone, make sure you know your location from the numbers on the marker posts positioned at the side of the hard shoulder.
• Abandoned vehicles can hold up rescue vehicles and snowploughs, so to ensure that the road is cleared as quickly as possible, stay with your vehicle until help arrives. Remember, do not stay in your vehicle on the hard shoulder.
• If you have to leave your vehicle to get help, make sure other drivers can see you clearly.

Vehicle checks

• Don’t leave your wipers on auto when you park up if there’s a risk of frost. If the blades freeze to the screen, you could damage the blades or wiper motor when you turn the ignition on.
• Keep your lights clean – If the roads are really mucky you might have to clean your lights after every trip.
• Keep your number plates clean to remain legal and visible (and to avoid fines).
• Check your tyre tread – at least 3mm is recommend for the winter.
• Don’t let air out of your tyres to get more grip – it doesn’t work, and it’s unsafe.
• Think about getting winter tyres or all-season tyres – these are made from a special rubber that gives better grip in cold, wet conditions.

Stay safe out there this winter!

Last updated: Jan 2026
Published: 2022