Our tips for driving an electric vehicle in winter conditions

Jack Frost is around the corner and soon the temperatures mayagain take a free fall. You may be faced with cold, snowy and slippery roads, which can make a journey challenging. With an electric car, these challenges can be even more complicated. In order to drive your electric car confidently and safely, we have listed some points of attention. We want to help you be well prepared and maybe you can thus avoid some of the pitfalls.

1. Regularly check the vehicle's general condition in terms of technical functioning:
   • the windscreen wipers;
   • the pressure of the winter tyres;
   • the fluid levels (washer fluid with anti-freeze);
   • the adjustment of the mirrors;
   • the operation of the lights (indicators, headlights and other lights).
2. Avoid that your charging cable freezes. Try to park your car inside as much as possible because you are better safe than sorry. Is that not possible? Make sure the car plug is dry. Are these tips too late? Use a hot heating pad or a cherry stone pillow to thaw the socket.
3. Heat your car while charging. Warming up a cold car requires more electricity than maintaining the temperature of a warmed-up car.
4. When driving, choose to use only the seat and steering wheel heater. The main heater uses between 10 and 30 times more electricity.
5. Always have a charge cable at hand. In winter, the range of an electric car can be reduced due to the batteries storing less energy at low temperatures. That's why you should always have a charging cable at hand, so you can recharge anywhere and anytime.
6. Using winter tyres. They offer more grip, which means less energy loss and more kilometres driven with an electric car.
7. Increase your range by reducing the use of the car's electronics while driving.
8. Gradually release the accelerator to avoid slipping. When you release the accelerator in an electric car, it regenerates energy and you lose more speed than in a conventional car. Do this carefully to avoid slipping on slippery roads.

1. Check the general condition of your electric car.
2. Make sure your battery is fully charged before you start your journey.
3. Plan your route in advance, as well as the stops you will be making.

The on-board computer of your car will give you an idea of the number of stops on your journey. Use the convenient app A Better Route Planner. When doing so, be sure to check the compatibility of your keyfob with the Numobi Charging or Luminus Public Charging app.

Numobi Charging

Luminus Public Charging

1. Don't wait until the battery is almost empty to recharge: plan stops when your battery capacity is still at a minimum of 20%. This way, if necessary, you can always find an alternative. It is better to have 3 short charging sessions than 1 long one.
2. If necessary, make an overnight stop. This is an excellent opportunity to recharge yourself and your electric car's batteries.
3. A roof box, heavy luggage, bicycles and/or your trailer will increase your consumption, so keep this in mind when planning your trip.
4. Does your accommodation offer a charging facility? Then don't forget your charging cables! Your home charge cable can maybe also be useful at your destination.
5. Adapt your speed. The faster you drive, the faster the consumption. If available, use the 'eco-driving' mode. For example, driving at 110 km/h instead of 120 km/h reduces drag by 15%.
6. An ice scraper and a lock defroster are always useful.
7. Take all the identity documents of family members, your driving license and valid board documents (e.g. white card).
8. Also remember to purchase a vignette depending on where you are travelling. This is compulsory in Switzerland, Austria and some German cities.
9. Is the mandatory equipment present in the car? Make sure you have a safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher and fluorescent jackets.
10. Take mouth masks and disinfectant hand gel with you.
11. Is your four-legged friend coming along on holiday? Then don't forget the European passport.
12. A blanket and hot drinks to keep you warm in case of a traffic jam aren’t an unnecessary luxury.
13. Take a few books and games with you to keep the children occupied during the journey.
14. Take regular breaks to rest and eat.

1. Check your employer's Car Policy. Are you allowed to travel abroad with your electric car?
2. Has your country of destination, and the countries you cross, opened their borders to foreign tourists? Take a look at the Belgian website of Foreign Affairs for more information on the situations per country.
3. What are the traffic rules in your destination country and the countries you are crossing? Avoid fines and make sure you are well informed about the mobility and traffic regulations of the European countries. Select a country and then click on 'Driving in ...'.
4. Is your destination country and the countries you cross not on your white insurance card? Please contact our insurance department at insurance.be@arval.be (if this is included in your lease contract), or your own insurance company.
5. Apply for your Drive Certificate if you are travelling outside the Schengen area or EU. Please make your request via Renta Drive. This takes 3 to 5 working days.

Has the car been standing in the cold for a week? The battery can perfectly well handle that, but in all probability the regeneration function will no longer work.

You can easily solve this by charging the car up to 80% just before your departure. The battery will warm up while charging so that the regeneration function can fully recover. You can also use the engine to brake during the descents and gain dozens of free kilometres.

With this app, you have all information regarding your lease car at hand. In just one click, you can be in contact with Arval Driving Experience and will also have immediate access to

• all essential data and the documents of your car (power of attorney authorising you to drive the car and the white insurance card if you are insured by Arval);
• other documents that can be downloaded, such as your driving license or registration certificate;
• a map with the service partners nearest to your location; and
• an overview of the maintenance and/or repair history of your car.

Find out more about My Arval Mobile on our website.

Call Arval Assistance on +32 2 245 73 72 or your own assistance (if assistance is not included in your contract). To avoid stress, save the assistance number and the European emergency number (112) in your phone.

Do you need assistance abroad? Ask the garage to contact the Arval entity of the country you are in to arrange invoicing. Arval will take care of the repair costs and in most cases you do not have to pay anything in advance.

We wish you a pleasant winter and a happy end of year!

Be sure to check out our video with all kinds of practical tips for facing the winter with your electric car.