Electric cars have a significant advantage over thermal cars for winter driving

© Maurizio Fabbroni/Shutterstock

Winter is traditionally considered the most dreaded season for electric vehicle drivers. The drop in temperatures significantly affects range, as lithium-ion batteries operate less efficiently in the cold. Heating the cabin also consumes a lot of energy. These very real drawbacks, however, mask a little-known reality: Electric cars excel at driving on snowy or icy roads thanks to several technological advantages inherent in their design.

Unparalleled responsiveness of traction control

The main advantage of electric vehicles in winter conditions is their ultra-fast management of traction. Unlike combustion-engine cars that must manage the complex interaction between the engine, transmission and wheels, electric cars can adjust the power transmitted to each wheel up to 1,000 times per second. This exceptional responsiveness makes it possible to instantly correct the slightest loss of grip, often before the driver even notices it.

Doug Koons, chief engineer for the development of the Chevrolet Equinox EV, explains that electric motors generate almost instantaneous torque without having to wait for the engine to rev up or for the transmission to find the right gear. This feature allows for much smoother integration of traction control. In practice, this translates to remarkable stability on slippery roads, even with standard all-season tires.

Optimal weight distribution for stability

The very design of electric vehicles gives them a natural advantage in terms of winter handling. The battery, the heaviest component, is systematically mounted in the floor of the vehicle. This configuration considerably lowers the center of gravity and ensures a balanced distribution of weight between the front and rear.

Internal combustion vehicles suffer from a structural imbalance in comparison, with a heavy engine placed at the front and high up. This less favorable architecture recalls the old trick of placing sandbags in the trunk to improve winter traction — a tinkering that electric vehicles make obsolete thanks to their inherently more balanced design.

One-pedal driving: an additional advantage in slippery conditions

Regenerative braking, a feature of electric vehicles, is particularly useful on slippery roads. One-pedal driving allows very precise control of the power delivered to the wheels. The driver can finely modulate acceleration and deceleration without using the brake pedal, considerably reducing the risk of wheel lock or loss of control.

This feature contrasts with thermal vehicles where releasing the accelerator triggers a series of mechanical actions that are less predictable and more difficult to control on slippery surfaces. Regenerative braking offers a natural progressiveness that is particularly appreciable in winter conditions.

Recent tests conducted by Consumer Reports confirm these theoretical advantages. Jake Fisher, director of the automotive test center, points out that many of the electric vehicles tested demonstrate impressive performance in snow, particularly in 4-wheel drive versions, which is quite common on electric vehicles. Even equipped with simple all-season tires, some models like the Mercedes EQS display remarkable traction in difficult conditions.

These qualities obviously do not exempt you from equipping winter tires in regions that regularly snow. Even the best all-wheel drive system cannot compensate for unsuitable tires. Owners should be particularly vigilant with sports models often equipped with high-performance tires that are not very effective in cold weather.

• Electric cars benefit from ultra-responsive traction control capable of adjusting traction 1000 times per second
• Their low center of gravity and balanced weight distribution naturally improve stability
• Regenerative braking allows for more precise control on slippery surfaces

📍 To not miss any Presse-citron news, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.

[ ]