Chevy Equinox EV Cold Weather Charging and Range
Chevy Equinox EV Cold Weather Charging and Range
Save Big On Your Chevy Equinox EV at Key Motors of South Burlington!
All of your Chevy Equinox EV needs are taken care of right here at Key Motors of South Burlington. We make sure that our Shelburne Road location here in South Burlington can provide you with all of the options and assistance you're looking for in your journey! We're just south of Burlington and southwest of Burlington International Airport. Due to this location, we all know how cold it gets around here in the winter months, with the kind of temps and snow that people from the south could only ever dream about. That's why it's so important for us to discuss with you cold-weather charging and the range of the Chevy Equinox EV. Buying an EV doesn't put you at a disadvantage; it's just important to be proactive about your car care. Keep reading below, and find out more about charging and range when dealing with cold Vermont weather.
How does cold weather affect my Equinox EV?
There are a few key ways in which cold weather tends to affect EVs, and we want to be completely transparent about these things, so you have the tools you need to combat the weather!
- Tire pressure: It's well known for not just EVs, but for all vehicles, that cold weather wreaks absolute havoc on the tires of your vehicle. That's because cold air actually decreases your tire pressure, leaving you with under-inflated tires, which is not ideal to drive on at all. We highly recommend checking your tires on a fairly regular basis in the winter so you can keep them as inflated as possible. Safety is key here, along with the traction that your tires are in charge of getting you.
- Cabin heating: What else will you usually have to worry about in the winter months? Staying warm! The heat of gas-powered vehicles is actually created by the engines themselves, which is redirected into the cabin. However, electric vehicles don't have that same system. That's why the energy is actually drawn specifically from the batteries, which are also in charge of powering the motor. That could mean potentially less range for you if you don't know how to combat that difference, and we're ready to make sure you do know!
How do I maximize the charging and range of my EV in cold weather?
- Clear snow before driving: This may not seem like something you have to necessarily concern yourself with, but the airflow around your Equinox EV absolutely matters for the range of your ride. When you have snow and ice on your car, you are disrupting that airflow, and making it that much harder for your vehicle to get to the speeds you want to be at. Clean your car; it's better for efficiency, and it's safer.
- Use heated seats/steering wheel: We mentioned how much energy is being drawn from the battery to heat your car, and there is a way to avoid reducing your overall range because of that! We highly recommend using the available heated front seats and heated steering wheel features. These features warm up pretty much immediately, and are using power specifically in the areas in which you absolutely need so you won't be cold, and your range won't be as affected.
- Preconditioning matters: In the same vein, do not forget to precondition your Equinox EV when possible. Preconditioning allows you to heat your car while it's still plugged in, so you don't have to worry about losing out on any energy or charge while you are out on the road. This is all about conservation, and preconditioning is absolutely vital to that.
- Tire pressure monitoring: We've talked about how vital your tires are, and thanks to the tire pressure monitoring system that comes with your Chevy, you will always have the numbers you need right in front of you. This is especially true thanks to the myChevrolet mobile app that you can always check.
- Regenerative braking: How can you return more energy into your Equinox EV's battery? Thanks to Regen on Demand, you can actually charge back up your battery whenever you are using the brakes. That's because kinetic energy is being transferred throughout this system to give you the very best range possible.
Is charging my Equinox EV affected by cold weather?
No! Charging your EV is going to be the same as you do during every other month of the year, and just as easy, too. The most important thing is to keep the charger/charge ports clear of snow, because otherwise you won't be able to utilize them. The best thing you can do is to use the myChevrolet mobile app so you can locate what's available around you, especially if you're driving somewhere for the holidays and aren't used to a specific area. Remember to precondition your car while it's charging, and to take advantage of at-home charging just for the convenience of not having to leave your home at all.
Chevy EV Shopping Made Easy with Key Motors of South Burlington
When you want to work with a car dealership that actively cares about your needs, there is quite literally no one better in South Burlington than Key Motors of South Burlington. We always have your back, and we will do whatever it takes to find you the perfect fit. Beyond that, we'll have the answers for you about your electric vehicle, including more about range, charging, and anything else that comes to mind. You can even submit those questions to the contact form below!
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