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I Got To Test My Rented Kia EV6's Range in Snow And Minimized The Power Usage By Using The Snow Mode And Few Other Tricks

Look how a Floridian mastered the snowy Philadelphia roads in a Kia EV6, revealing secret tricks to maximize range that every EV owner needs to know.

As a car enthusiast who has driven everything from classic muscle cars to modern electric vehicles, I must admit the allure of the Kia EV6 has always been strong. Its sleek design, innovative features, and impressive range have made it a standout in the burgeoning EV market. But how does this Korean electric marvel fare in the harsh, snowy conditions far from its usual tropical or temperate home?

Here's where Jim Dietrich's recent experience comes into play - a Floridian by residence but a seasoned EV driver by passion. Jim writes on the Kia EV6 Owners Group USA on Facebook:

"Hi there, y'all! I'm not an owner myself (I have a VW ID.4 Pro S and Mustang Mach-E Premium, both 2021s and both RWD), but I sure feel like one at this point. Since I got my first EV, the ID.4, in May 2023, whenever I travel, I always rent electric, and all but once have I always ended up with an EV6 (that one time was a Polestar 2: truly a great and fun car, but just a tad too small for my needs). Plus, because of my rental adventures, my buddy Matthew (who told me to join this group) bought his EV6 back in June 2024.

As a Floridian (St Petersburg) of almost 22 years, I won't experience snow in my daily life. But since I've seen a lot of people talk about how they don't like the range issues in the snow, and I actually got to test it out with a trip back home to the Philadelphia region MLK Weekend, I figured I should input my thoughts.

Before the snow, it was averaging about 3.2 ml/kWh, not bad considering the need for HVAC (and since it's a rental, I'm sure the tires weren't the right PSI, and I wasn't keeping the car long enough to care). That said, a great way to avoid the self-imposed fear stories is to put auto-climate on less or equal to 65°F/18.3°C and forget it – it's still at least 20° warmer than outside and not really requiring too much energy to maintain. The heated seats work great, too.

During the snow, however, the range will drop due to the traction control working overtime, but again, if you're smart about climate, nothing too drastic: I averaged 2.6 mi/kWh. Snow mode helps a lot in maintaining traction, too, and thus minimizing the extra power needed to keep the car straight with the traction control.

Overall, it was still fun to drive, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Just don't forget to put your wipers in the service position before they freeze and you're stuck wherever you are: Turn off the car, don't get out, and hold the wiper stalk down until they move in front of you.

Stay safe and warm out there, and enjoy these pics from my trip up to Philly, where they got less snow Sunday (5") than New Orleans on Tuesday (10")."

Jim's experience sheds light on a crucial aspect often discussed among EV owners - winter performance, specifically in snow. His real-world test is a testament to the adaptability of EVs, even from a brand like Kia which might not be the first you think of for rugged winter conditions.

The Kia EV6 in Snow: A Closer Look

Jim's tale is not just about surviving the snow; it's about thriving in it with the right approach. His efficiency before the snow, averaging 3.2 miles per kWh, aligns well with what many have experienced in more temperate climates. However, his journey into the snowy Philadelphia region offers insights into how the EV6 handles when the mercury drops and the snow piles up.

Kia EV6's battery performance and range in cold winter snowy conditions

Snow Mode: One of the key features Jim utilized was the Snow Mode. This mode optimizes the vehicle's performance by adjusting power distribution and reducing throttle response to improve traction on slippery surfaces. This minimizes the power consumption that would otherwise spike due to the tires fighting for grip.

Temperature Management: By setting the cabin temperature to a modest 65°F, Jim was able to strike a balance between comfort and efficiency. This approach not only conserves battery life but also reduces the load on the vehicle's heating system, which can significantly drain an EV's battery in cold conditions.

Heated Seats: Another trick in Jim's arsenal was using the heated seats instead of cranking up the cabin heat. This provides personal warmth without the need for extensive cabin heating, preserving the EV's range.

Broader Insights on EV Winter Performance

When discussing electric vehicles in winter, it's essential to look beyond one model. Here are some general strategies and insights that could apply to any EV, including the Kia EV6:

  • Battery Pre-Conditioning: According to Ford's advice on driving EVs in cold weather, pre-conditioning your battery can significantly improve both range and charging efficiency. This involves warming up the battery before you drive, which can be done either while plugged in or on the way to your destination.
  • Tire Pressure: Jim wisely notes the potential for his rental's tires not being at optimal PSI. Maintaining correct tire pressure is crucial in winter as it affects not just safety but also efficiency. Lower pressure can increase rolling resistance, eating into your range.
  • Driving Techniques: Slowing down and avoiding rapid acceleration or braking can save energy. This is particularly beneficial in snow where traction is compromised, as seen in the tale of a Chevy Bolt in Alaskan winter, where careful driving extended the vehicle's performance in extreme conditions.
  • Extend Range with Smart Practices: Here are three effective ways to extend your EV's range in winter, including using seat and steering wheel heaters instead of full cabin heat, which Jim also advocated for in his experience.
  • Vehicle Specific Adaptations: For the EV6 specifically, owners have noted after about 8 months of ownership that the vehicle handles well in various conditions, including snow, thanks to features like heat pumps and efficient thermal management.
  • Learning from New Owners: First-time EV buyers with the Kia EV6 have commented on the vehicle's winter performance, highlighting both the ease of use and the learning curve associated with managing range in cold weather.
  • Performance Variants: For those looking at the performance side, the 2024 Kia EV6 GT offers insights into how power and range balance out, even in challenging conditions, providing a broader view of the model's capabilities.

Kia EV6 covered in snowYour Turn to Share

Jim's journey highlights the EV6's capabilities in an environment it's not traditionally known for. But every EV owner's experience can differ based on numerous factors including driving habits, local climate, and vehicle condition.

So, here's where I turn it over to you:

  1. What tricks have you discovered to maximize your EV's range in winter, especially in snow?
  2. Have you used Snow Mode in your EV, and if so, how has it affected your driving experience and range?

Share your insights, stories, and tips in the comments below. Let's build a comprehensive guide from collective wisdom to make winter driving in an electric vehicle not just feasible but enjoyable.

Images by Jim Dietrich from his post in the Kia EV6 Owners Group USA on Facebook open group.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News TwitterFacebookLinkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.

Comments

Matts Soomre (not verified)    January 23, 2025 - 11:23AM

Just don't worry or think too much. Third winter with EV6.
Keep battery charged and if you really go to long drive with veru cold wather below -5 Celsius, just look that there are fast chargers on route. And !!! Don't forget to use Battery Preconditioning before fast charging - i takse minimum 30-40 minutes.
You should set Fast Charging station on EV&'s navigation as destination and that's it.
Of course - winter tires needed

Ron Kinder (not verified)    January 23, 2025 - 11:23AM

There isn't much you can do with the exception of reducing the use of the heater and using seat warmers as a replacement. If you want to be comfortable and just use it like normal and expect to have to recharge more often. I quit worrying about range a long time ago, with the exception of being able to make it to the next charging station when on a long trip.

Victor Goran (not verified)    January 23, 2025 - 11:44AM

A true masterpiece of an article...
"Temperature Management: By setting the cabin temperature to a modest 65°F, Jim was able to strike a balance between comfort and efficiency. This approach not only conserves battery life but also reduces the load on the vehicle's heating system, which can significantly drain an EV's battery in cold conditions."

Mike snyil (not verified)    January 24, 2025 - 10:49PM

Isn't it great you have to jump thru hoops to get the same reliability you used to get with a gas powered car. If EVs are so great then liberals wouldn't need Democrats to enact laws forcing people to use them.

Joey (not verified)    January 29, 2025 - 8:08PM

In reply to by Mike snyil (not verified)

Clearly EVs are not for you. You can keep driving your ICEV for the next 20+ years. Meanwhile EV tech will continue to improve. We are still in the early days. Our EV has been the nicest car to live with on a daily basis that we've ever owned. It's not even a fancy EV, it's a 3 year old economy EV we purchased used. It is even nicer than live with than our Acura SUV. The Acura has been relegated to out of state travel and the Kona EV does 95% of our miles.

Jamie (not verified)    January 26, 2025 - 11:52AM

I recently purchased a Kia Niro Wind. I live in Denver but grew up in Chicago, so driving in harsh wintery conditions isn't new to me. However, getting the most power efficiency out of my ev in the cold temperatures is. I've been utilizing the seat warmer, steering wheel warmer, preconditioning the battery when it's plugged in my garage, as well as keeping the drivers side only hvac on at 68f auto. I've been getting between 3.2kwh and 3.4kwh with temperatures ranging from single digits to 30f. On the days it's hit 40's I've been getting 3.9kwh to 4.1kwh.

Paul (not verified)    January 27, 2025 - 12:06PM

With any gas car you lose 15 to 24% range and there's nothing you can do about it and also be certain hiw much it helps. As this article shows there are some optimizations that can be proven to work with EVs. Still, it makes EVs seem more complicated than they are. I have over 200,000 Ev miles on 2 EVs and don't worry about winter range at all because it's over 250 to start with "Range anxiety" is only a thing with my older EV with a range around 100

PreV (not verified)    January 31, 2025 - 10:09AM

I said it once I'll say it again. The EV6 in any weather other than sunshine (rain, snow, sleet) is terrible. It will slip and slide even in the rain. It will and DID literally slide down a snowy hill at 25mph. Not the same with a Tesla strong traction control even in snow. Great talk about the range but being honest about its ability to handle curves in poor conditions is also important. I almost lost my life and I am not alone in commenting on the EV6s poor traction (along with multiple other owners/ former owners). Not to mention it could be likely be due to the ICU issue the EV6 had with my model year causing loss of power at critical moments. Wouldn't trust it ever again. Tesla is better. Came here to see if you'd be honest in your experience and can tell this was paid for by Kia. Very biased reporting.