On winter sports with an electric car

With more and more people driving electric, even during the vacation months the roads are full of electric cars. Not only do they hit the road in the summer, but also in the winter they take their electric car for winter sports. With the right preparations, this is also quite possible!
Earlier, we gave you some tips on how to safely hit the road in winter with your electric car. Among other things, make sure you have winter tires and take an extra charging cable with you, just to be sure. Also watch out for slippery roads and keep in mind that your range will be lower in winter.

Advantages and disadvantages of an electric car on winter sports

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

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

The disadvantages are:

• The range is limited. Are you taking your electric car on a winter holiday to Austria? Then you will have to charge in between.
• Loading takes time. Fortunately, you can often combine it with a well-deserved break and a nice meal.
• Are you going on a winter holiday during a busy period? Then your travel time may increase unexpectedly due to loading and traffic jams.

On black Saturdays, you're bound to end up in a traffic jam, but with an electric car there's an extra one: the queue for the charging station. In February 2020, there were queues of Tesla cars in front of the charging stations. So always be prepared.

How do you prepare?

If you are taking an electric car on a winter holiday, it is important to prepare well. In addition to the preparations for the holiday itself, the journey there also requires the necessary measures:

• Put winter tyres on your car.
• Find out where there are charging points on your route. Plan your route in advance with, for example, ABetterRouteplanner.com. This route planner shows a real range based on your car type and shows you the best route.
• If possible, leave at night to avoid the traffic jams and queues at the charging stations in the afternoon.
• Check whether your hotel has a recharging facility. This saves you having to find a station for the return journey.
• Set offwith a full battery. With zappi you can easily make sure your car is ready to go.
• Bring warm clothes in the car and extra blankets for waiting while charging. To reduce the load on your battery, it is a good idea to turn on the heating as little as possible in an electric car in winter.
• Make sure you have the essentials like your passport, driving licence and debit card with you, but don't forget your charge card. Here is a handy checklist of what to take with you when you go on a winter trip with your electric car.
• Bring entertainment for when you are loading.

With good preparation, you can take your electric car on a winter holiday with peace of mind, and all you have to do at your destination is enjoy it and charge it for the journey home.
Read more tips for your electric car in the winter