Winter Sports with an Electric Car

Now that more and more people are driving electric vehicles, the roads are full of them even during the vacation months. They don’t just hit the road in the summer—they also take their electric cars on winter sports trips in the winter. With the right preparations, that’s entirely possible!
We’ve previously shared some tips on how to drive your electric car safely on the road in winter. Make sure you have winter tires and, just to be safe, bring an extra charging cable. Also, be careful on slippery roads and keep in mind that your range will be shorter in winter.

Pros and Cons of an Electric Car for Winter Sports

Driving an electric car on a winter sports vacation has its advantages, but also its disadvantages.
The advantages are:

• Electric charging is cheaper than fuel
• It's better for the environment

The disadvantages are:

• The driving range is limited. Are you planning a winter sports trip to Austria in your electric car? If so, you’ll need to recharge along the way.
• Charging takes time. Fortunately, you can often combine it with a well-deserved break and a delicious meal.
• Are you planning a winter sports trip during a busy period? If so, your travel time may end up being longer than expected due to loading times and traffic jams.

On busy Saturdays, you’ll quickly find yourself stuck in traffic, but if you’re driving an electric car, there’s an extra line to wait in: the line for the charging station. In February 2020, there were long lines of Teslas waiting at the charging stations. So always make sure you’re well prepared before heading out.

How can you prepare effectively?

When you go on a winter sports vacation in an electric car, it’s important to plan your trip carefully. In addition to the preparations you make for the vacation itself, the trip there also requires certain precautions:

• Install winter tires on your car.
• See where the charging stations are located along your route. Plan your route in advance usinga service likeABetterRouteplanner.com. This route planner provides a realistic range based on your car model and shows you the best route.
• If possible, leave at night to avoid traffic jams and long lines at the charging stations in the afternoon.
• Check to see if your hotel has a charging station. That'll save you the trouble of having to find one on your way back.
• Hit the road with a fully charged battery. With zappi, you can easily make sure your car is ready to go.
• Make sure you have warm clothes in the car and bring extra blankets for when you're waiting while the car charges. To conserve battery power, it's a good idea to use the heater as little as possible in an electric car during the winter.
• Be sure to bring essential items such as your passport, driver’s license, and debit card, but don’t forget your charging card either. Check out this handy checklist of what to bring when you go on a winter sports trip with your electric car.
• Bring something to keep you entertained while the car is charging.

With proper preparation, you can head off on a winter sports trip in your electric car with complete peace of mind—and once you arrive at your destination, all you have to do is relax and recharge for the trip home.
Read more tips for driving your electric car in the winter