There is no doubt that the severe winters in the Northwest can have big impacts on EV charging in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. The cold can affect things like charging times, charging equipment, and even damaging existing equipment due to moisture and ice.
However, like with all technology, there are many ways to counteract the impacts of extreme cold and rain that can be found in the Pacific Northwest. Below, we share more details about EV charging in cold weather and how to best charge a car.
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EV Charging Issues in Cold Weather
Our best advice, and what the engineers at NetZero Energy do for their electric vehicles, is to have a home charger and an office charger that will charge your electric vehicle. One solution is to put the charging stations in a garage that is heated and controlled so that it can block out the cold weather.
You don’t have to superheat this space, but while charging, you can bring the temperature up to above freezing and use pre-conditioning equipment to warm up the battery before a charge.
The disadvantage of this strategy is that you will be using more power, and it may be at a high price when excess peak energy usage rates are in effect.
If an EV charging station is outside and unheated, you may find that snow and ice make it difficult to plug in the charging cable due to frozen connectors. Charging a cold battery stresses its components and may reduce its lifespan. To extend battery life before recharging, you may need to use a pre-conditioning system to heat the battery, which consumes power.
You can damage a battery severely if you try fast charging it while it is extremely cold. Freezing temperatures may cause outdoor EV chargers to malfunction, causing slower charging speeds or a complete failure. Not very good news if you are trying to get a recharge during a winter storm and far away from your home.
Cold Weather Effects on EV Batteries
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EV batteries do not work well in extremely cold weather, as they can take much longer to charge, for starters. The reason for this is that the chemical process inside a lithium-ion battery is diminished. When operating at freezing temperatures, these chemical reactions occur more slowly, leading to a reduced capacity to hold and deliver energy.
The moisture and extreme cold can create many troubles you must deal with, including reduced chemical activity in lithium-ion batteries, which reduces driving distance.
The ions that would normally move freely across the battery are less efficient as the temperature goes down to freezing or below. This is because the internal resistance in the battery increases in the cold, which causes less efficient power output.
The results of the reduced capacity and lowered energy efficiency are that you will need a longer time to recharge an EV battery, and you will have a shorter travel distance from a charge.
Higher Energy Consumption for EV Charging in Cold Weather
Wasting energy is one of the unfortunate EV charging issues in cold weather. During winter, EVs use more energy for heating systems, including cabin heaters and battery thermal management, reducing the energy available for driving.
If you have ever used electric heaters to warm up a room during cold winters, you probably know how high the electrical utility bill might be from this type of heating. Alternative energy sources may be less available during winter because solar panels are much weaker. Water may freeze in rivers that usually flow more strongly to make more hydropower during warmer seasons.
Issues with Charging Infrastructure
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In cold weather, ice and snow can block access to charging stations or freeze connectors, making them difficult to use. Prolonged exposure to below-freezing temperatures can also damage charging cables and components over time.
Slower charging speeds may cause a delay in accessing public charging stations. If possible, use slow charging, as fast charging a cold EV battery may cause lithium plating. Plating is a process can permanently harm the battery's performance and reduce its lifespan. If everyone wants to slow charge their system, you are in for a long wait when the charging stations are fully occupied.
Extreme weather increases energy use for climate control, reducing the distance you can travel on a single charge and making mid-trip charging more critical. Snow or flooding can make reaching chargers difficult or dangerous. Sudden weather changes may leave drivers stranded without sufficient charging options.
Tips for EV Charging During Winters in the Northwest
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At NetZero Energy, we are used to dealing with cold weather. Most of our EV charging stations are installed in the states of Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. If we can install EV charging stations in Alaska, you know we have the expertise needed for your installation, no matter how cold it gets where you are located.
Here are ways to manage the challenges.
Battery pre-conditioning is suggested to warm the battery before charging to optimize efficiency.
In extreme cold, use slower charging methods to reduce stress on the battery.
Have your EV equipped with advanced thermal systems for managing battery temperatures.
If you must use public EV charging stations, look for ones with shelter from the weather or temperature-controlled environments.
What to do When it’s Cold Outside
Wintertime in the Northwest may not be an appropriate time of year to go on an extended road trip in an EV and have to rely upon the availability of EV charging stations that remain operating. Maybe you can satisfy your need for wintertime activities with an electric snowmobile that you can charge at home. Get in touch with our pleasant staff and talk with an engineer about your needs for home EV charging or an EV charging station for your business.