As an ice storm takes aim at the Midwest and Northeast U.S. states, here are some tips from on how to best prepare an electric vehicle to maximize range and performance.

1. Park your electric vehicle in a garage, if possible: Garage storage helps to ensure that harsh weather conditions outside do not affect your vehicle and maintaining a warmer storage temperature than outdoors will aid in vehicle and battery performance.  And with zero tailpipe emissions, you can safely warm up the vehicle's cabin while garaged.

2. Remove all snow from the vehicle before driving: This is important to reduce weight and reduce air resistance when driving, but it's also important for visibility and your own safety. Several of Ford's driver assistance technologies make use of sensors and cameras that must be free of snow to function properly.

3. Plug in your electric vehicle when parked for extended periods of time: Keeping the vehicle plugged while parked for extended periods of time, such as while you’re away on a trip or even while parked at home overnight works to maintain battery health and helps to prevent range loss. 

When the vehicle is plugged in, the vehicle’s battery temperature is kept above freezing temperatures to help optimize battery performance; this occurs regardless of whether or not the vehicle is actively charging while plugged in.

4. Set daily Departure Times to precondition both the vehicle’s battery and cabin while plugged-in: If you have a regular reoccurring driving schedule, such as a daily commute, preconditioning the battery using Ford’s Departure Times feature allows it to warm to optimum temperature before use, positively affecting range and power.

For Ford electric vehicle owners, Departure Times can be scheduled using the vehicle’s SYNC touchscreen under charge settings or from the comfort of your couch using the FordPass app’s Departure Times feature under Energy/Schedule. 

5. Reduce energy consumption used by the vehicle HVAC: If equipped, use the heated seats and heated steering wheel as primary heat and lower the cabin temperature setting to reduce energy consumed by using HVAC.  For shorter DC fast charging sessions (also known as Level 3) minimize cabin heating while charging plugged in.

6. Ensure your tires are at the proper pressure: Proper tire pressure not only works to maximize range, it also works to help ensure that the correct amount of tire surface area is gripping the road. Tires that are over or underinflated can lead to range degradation along with safety and performance issues.

You can find the proper tire pressure figures for your vehicle using the sticker on the sticker inside the driver door. Likewise, higher speeds can negatively impact range in all types of weather. For best results, Ford recommends limiting your speed when possible.

By following these winter driving tips, you can help to ensure that your electric vehicle is prepared to tackle the challenges of colder weather. With new technology like Ford’s Vapor Injection Heat Pump, found in 2024 F-150 Lightning pickups and soon-to-be-launched 2025 Mustang Mach-E SUVs, Ford vehicles are better equipped than ever to optimize performance in cold conditions. And as electric vehicle adoption continues in the U.S., staying informed and prepared is more important than ever.

If you’re ever unsure about living with your electric vehicle, Ford owners can text a dedicated Ford advisor for 24/7 electric vehicle support.