Erni's electrifying tricks: No more frustration in the frost!

The Zündel family from a picturesque Bavarian village decided to spend their first winter holiday with Grandma in Bremen in their brand-new electric car. Mom, Dad, elder daughter Lena, and their cooking-enthusiast son Max were excited about the trip, but neighbors and friends bombarded them with the usual prejudices.

They warned reverently about the icy cold, claiming that electric cars lose their range in winter. Even Grandma, 86 years old and an enthusiastic public transportation user, had her doubts when she spoke to the Zündel family on the phone the evening before: “Can the electric car not just stop working in the cold, and are there enough charging stations?”.

“Don't worry, Grandma. Modern electric cars are equipped for winter. We've got everything under control,” assured Dad. The next morning they set off and everything went – what a surprise – smoothly.

When the Zündel family reached the last rest stop just before Bremen, they were curiously eyed by other travelers. An elderly gentleman approached them: “Traveling with an electric car in winter? I wouldn't dare. What if the battery freezes?”

Mom smiled and patiently explained to the critical man that modern electric cars have sophisticated temperature control for the battery and work perfectly even in sub-zero temperatures. Thanks to advanced technology, the range is hardly affected, and the navigation system already optimally plans the charging stops.

Upon arriving in Bremen, the family was warmly welcomed by Grandma. After the Zündel family settled into their cozy quarters, they all sat together at the table, and Grandma wanted to know more about the electric car. “Does it really all work that easily, or do you have to drive a bit more carefully than with a gasoline or diesel car?”

Dad laughed: “Grandma, I'm telling you, I've never traveled so relaxed as with the electric car.” But Dad still had a few tips for winter charging and took every opportunity to share them.

“You know, there are a few clever tricks to be optimally on the road with an electric car in winter.”

He pointed to the charging station in front of Grandma's house and continued: “First, when we arrive, we should plug in the car directly. The battery is still warm from driving and absorbs power much more efficiently. This shortens the charging time and ensures that we start with a full battery the next morning.”

Mom nodded in agreement and added: “Exactly, and while we're here with Grandma, we should leave the car plugged in overnight. This way, we don't lose any energy, and we can start our journey home with a freshly charged battery and a preheated car.”

Daughter Lena asked curiously: “But preheating uses a lot of power, doesn't it?”

Dad smiled and explained the next tip: “When the car is plugged in and we preheat it before driving, it draws power directly from the grid and not from the battery.”

Max, the little cook in the family, added: “So, preheating the car is just like preheating the oven before we cook!”

Dad nodded proudly: “Exactly, Max!”

On the way back from Bremen to Bavaria, as the Zündel family drove along the wintry highway, Dad remembered another tip: “To save some extra energy, it helps to use the seat heater during the drive. It consumes less energy than the central heating through the blower, especially if only one of us is in the car.”

Thus, the Zündel family reached their home in Bavaria with the certainty that the winter journey was not only environmentally friendly but also comfortable and safe – many small details make a big difference!