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Heading to the snow with your electric car
smart preparations for a worry-free winter sports trip
Winter sports and electric driving are a combination that’s becoming more and more common. The journey to the Alps, Pyrenees or Dolomites is truly different with an electric car than with a petrol or diesel vehicle. Cold temperatures, a packed boot plus roof box, unfamiliar charging infrastructure… But as is often the case, good preparation is half the work. That’s why it’s best to take care of a number of practical matters before you set off.
Choose your accommodation strategically
After a long drive, nothing feels better than being able to plug in your car straight away. But not every chalet or hotel in the mountains offers this luxury…
Filter for nearby charging points:
Looking for a holiday stay at your favourite winter sports destination? Then search specifically for locations close to public charging stations.
Private charging station? Jackpot!
Many hotels now have their own AC charging points, making it easy to charge your EV. When booking, ask whether you can reserve a charging point, so you don’t have to wait until your 150 fellow hotel guests have charged their EVs as well.
Plan your route and charging stops wisely
Mapping out a route is not a luxury for EV drivers, but a must. Especially in Southern and Eastern Europe, the charging infrastructure is still developing. A well-prepared driver is worth two!
Choose multiple charging stations:
Make a list of alternatives along your route so you remain flexible if a charger is occupied or out of order. Tip: chargers at motorway service areas may be busy, so also consider charging points at supermarkets or shops near motorway exits.
Take cold weather and a full car into account:
Your theoretical driving range drops significantly in (freezing) temperatures. Add a fully loaded boot or a roof box, and you’ll need to charge more often than you’re used to in summer.
Roof box: do or don’t?
You want to take everything with you: skis, snowboards, winter clothing and preferably your family too… But a roof box inevitably reduces your driving range, by up to 20%! So try to travel as light as possible. On a ski holiday, you wear your ski gear all day long, so many extra outfits are often unnecessary. Also consider renting your skis, boots or board on site. That can be a good solution if you’d rather leave the roof box at home.
Please note: In many winter sports countries, winter tyres are mandatory. And even though they reduce your driving range by 2 to 5%, they significantly improve grip—and therefore your safety—on winter roads.
Have a back-up plan for your Q8 electric charging card
With your free Q8 electric charging card, you have access to 350 Q8 electric and Tango electric charging points, as well as our network of more than 880,000 charging points across Europe. That’s about 99% of all public charging stations.
Still find yourself at that remaining 1%? Make sure you have a back-up in your pocket (or wallet). This could be an extra charging card, but even better: a credit card. Only use the latter in emergencies, as it’s always more expensive than charging with the Q8 electric card.
A full and warm battery = the best possible start
It may sound obvious, yet many winter sports travellers make this mistake: they don’t leave with a fully charged battery. The 80% rule applies when you’re on the road, but when departing, it’s best to charge up to 100%.
Also preheat your car before you set off, preferably while it’s still connected to the charging station. That way, you use mains power instead of battery capacity, step into a comfortable, warm car, and your battery is already at the right temperature (bonus points for your driving range).