Electric vehicle options are just in time for winter sports enthusiasts
Are you looking for an electric car for a ski or snowboard trip? Here are the things you should consider
If you’re planning to hit the slopes this winter, you’ll need a vehicle with enough room for the right equipment and capabilities to handle extreme weather conditions.
For winter sports enthusiasts looking for a zero-emissions option, there are a number of suitable electric vehicle options on the market today that feature long-distance off-road capabilities and spacious interiors.
less, Electric autonomy He’s compiled a list of some things to consider when selecting an electric option to take you on your next skiing or snowboarding trip.
Winter range
There are a number of considerations to keep in mind when choosing the right electric vehicle for a winter sports trip, with range being a top priority.
As with a combustion vehicle, winter temperatures can affect the performance of an electric vehicle battery. Cold weather can reduce an electric vehicle’s rated range by up to 35 percent for some EV models, according to Recurrent Auto, a Seattle-based clean technology research firm.
Earlier this year, Recurrent released a report measuring range loss in 7,000 electric vehicles at temperatures between -7°C and -1°C.
Leading the pack with the least range loss (making it a good choice for winter driving overall) is the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace. The I-Pace has a range loss of just three percent.
The report also highlights other vehicles that experience a reduction in range of less than 20 percent during the winter.
These include the Audi e-tron premium plus trim (8 percent range reduction) and the Tesla Model
Additionally, the Hyundai Kona is a strong contender for trips to the ski resort, with an estimated 19 percent reduction in range during the colder months.
But, with several ski resorts from coast to coast installing EV charging stations — including British Columbia’s Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort, Ontario’s Blue Mountain Resort, and Quebec’s Mont Tremblant and Le Massif de Charlevoix — The winter range raises concerns for all car models. Electric vehicles are diluted.
Cargo space
The luggage quota for most skiers and snowboarders is not small. To accommodate all this equipment, one thing every winter sports-friendly electric vehicle needs is ample storage space.
When it comes to cargo space, the best contenders are an electric SUV or an electric pickup truck.
The Rivian R1S has one of the highest charging capacities of any electric vehicle on the market. Folding the third and second rows of seats creates 104.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The car also had a front trunk (“funk”) that had an additional 11 cubic feet of space.
The Tesla Model With the third row in place, you have 15 cubic feet of available cargo space. When the seats are folded, it increases to 33 cubic feet. Folding both rows of seats creates 85.8 cubic feet of cargo space.
Available with all-wheel drive, the BMW iX offers 35.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. Fold the seats, and you get 77.9 cubic feet for all your winter sports essentials.
The Volkswagen ID.4 has 30.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.
Finally, the Kia Niro EV offers 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.7 cubic feet when those seats are folded down.
Off-road driving
If you find yourself near snow-capped mountains and rugged terrain, you’ll need a vehicle that can handle these off-road conditions effectively.
The Rivian R1T’s all-wheel drive (AWD) system comes with eight different driving modes, including an off-road mode.
According to the automaker, the car has a ground clearance of 37.8 cm (14.9 inches) and a range of up to 643 km.
Under the hood, the R1T features four electric motors in all-wheel drive, two up front and two at the rear, with the ability to independently adjust torque at each wheel of the Rivian R1T.
“Power control at the single wheel enables torque vectoring, the ability to neutralize over or understeer to keep your vehicle stable and responsive through sharp maneuvers while driving off-road and in the snow,” Rivian says on its website.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is also another off-road option.
The Lightning comes standard with a dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration. To enhance its off-road capabilities and keep it from getting stuck, Ford includes a locking mechanical rear differential as standard on every model.
Additionally, the F-150 Lightning comes with Pro Power Onboard, which provides access to 11 outlets, including 12-volt outlets and USB ports. The electric truck also offers a 240-volt outlet in the truck bed for added versatility.
The good news is that there are plenty of electric vehicle options to support drivers’ passion for winter sports. There may be some tough choices like measuring out-of-range weight versus cargo space, but with some research (and a lot of measuring) drivers can enjoy all four seasons in an electric vehicle.
