How Can You Preserve the Range of Your Volvo XC40 Recharge in Winter?

Cold temperatures can have a negative impact on the range and battery state of electric vehicles but the Volvo XC40 Recharge is engineered to reduce this impact to a minimum. Here are some ways in which you can make the most out of the range of your XC40 Recharge in winter.

Pre-condition the cabin

The Volvo XC40 is equipped with a heat pump-based climate control system that uses much less energy than traditional resistive heaters. Nevertheless, heating the cabin of the vehicle in cold weather can still take quite a few kilometres off from the drivable range. In order to avoid this and benefit from a vehicle that is already warm and comfortable when you get in, you should have the vehicle pre-heat its cabin and battery while it is still plugged into a charger. Doing so greatly reduces the strain on the battery and it allows it to be more efficient as soon as you set off. You can start or end the pre-conditioning cycle at any time using the Volvo App on your phone, and since the XC40 Recharge doesn’t generate tailpipe emissions, you can even do so when it is parked in your garage. 

Primarily use the heated seats and steering wheel

The Volvo XC40 Recharge is equipped with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel that can keep you warm on longer trips even if you lower the air temperature setting of the climate control system. Doing so can add a few kilometres to your vehicle’s range because directly heating surfaces such as the seats and steering wheel is more efficient than having to warm a mass of air.

Make sure your tires are inflated correctly and adapt your speed

These two tips are often given out to drivers who want to save fuel, but they also apply when driving an electric car such as the Volvo XC40 Recharge. Indeed, tires that are under-inflated create more drag on the road, which makes them require more energy from the powertrain and causes them to wear faster. However, you don’t want to over-inflate your tires either because this could reduce the stability of the vehicle and make it unsafe to drive. Another way to conserve energy is simply to reduce your speed, especially on the highway since maintaining a higher speed draws more power from the battery due to the increase in wind resistance.