Top 10 tips for driving an electric car safely in strong winds

​With winds expected to reach up to 100 mph in some areas of the UK today, here are our tips to help you stay safe in your electric car if you can’t avoid taking to the roads as Storm Eunice hits.

Charge your battery

Most electric car makers only recommend charging to 80% if possible as it helps to preserve the battery life in the long term. But an extreme weather event is a special occasion when it makes sense to take the battery up to 100% just in case there is a power outage. 

Even if you don’t intend to drive anywhere today, the disruption to supplies could last several days. 

Your car can help in a power cut

Some cars, such as the Kia EV6, also have the ability to power external devices which could keep your freezer running or boil a kettle. Even with a car which doesn’t have this facility, you will still be able to charge your phone or even keep warm in your car if you are left without heating.

Some electric car drivers will also have the ability to use Vehicle to Home (V2H) systems which have a bi-directional charger. This means they can take power from an electric car’s battery during a power cut. The average electric car could power a family home for several days after a full charge.

The concept was first used in the midst of the 2010 Fukushima earthquake and tsunami when 5 million Japanese homes lost power, prompting a team from Nissan to mobilise early Leaf models to be used as mobile power supplies in the earthquake zone. These systems are already being used in pilot schemes but are expected to become commonplace over the next few years.

The Kia EV6 can boil a kettle without needing mains power

Driving through water

Electricity and water are not a good mix, but your car has been very carefully designed to be resistant to floods and weather in general. 

Tests have shown that electric cars are actually better than most petrol or diesel powered cars in deep water, as there is no air intake - if your conventional car sucks water into the engine it will require a full rebuild and may write the car off. 

Nissan released video footage of the first-generation Leaf being tested and it drives through 300mm water at speed with no issues. This doesn’t mean you should take any additional risks in an electric car, and if you are unsure of the water’s depth then it is worth finding another route if possible. 

As a rule of thumb, only attempt to drive through water which is below your wheel nuts in depth. Never drive into fast flowing water and be aware that there could be hidden potholes, debris or kerbs hidden under the surface. But if you can still see the edges of the road and other motorists are making it through, you needn’t have any extra concern just because you are driving an electric car.

Nissan tested the Leaf in flood water and hit it with lightning bolts

Don’t let your range drop

Extreme cold (or hot) weather will impact the range of your battery and it won’t be as efficient as usual. Make sure you find somewhere safe to stop and recharge before it dips too low to avoid the risk of getting stranded. 

Charging facilities may be impacted by the storm so plan ahead and ensure you have a couple of different options if you know you’re going to have to stop to charge.

Driving in high winds

Mark Newberry, Commercial Director at Green Flag urges drivers to plan your journey to see if there are likely to be road closures or delays. Other tips include holding onto your car doors when you’re opening them in strong winds, especially from the inside as high winds can cause serious damage to a door’s hinges.

Try to avoid parking beneath trees or near a building’s roof, as falling debris could damage your car or cause serious injury. 

Grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands and leave more distance between you and other traffic. Be wary of high-sided vehicles, motorbikes, and cyclists, they are all particularly vulnerable to the effects of the wind. 

You will also need to be prepared for debris in the road. Fallen branches will be difficult to spot in the dark and could cause significant damage and cause other motorists to swerve.

Hold onto your car's door firmly as the wind could catch it and damage the hinges

Be prepared for delays

Stormy conditions mean you are much more likely to come across road closures. Accidents and blockages caused by fallen trees or other damage will mean you will face inevitable delays.

Even if you are familiar with the route, it is worth using a sat nav system which receives live traffic updates, such as the Google Maps, Waze or TomTom apps on a smartphone. These will help you to avoid closures and route around delays before you become stuck.

If you are held on a motorway and are unable to reroute in time, then try to be patient and set your radio to a local station so you hear the traffic and news updates. 

Your car’s battery will be able to provide heating for a surprisingly long time, but don’t waste the energy if you can avoid it by putting on your coat, for example. 

Stay safe if you breakdown

If you find yourself experiencing a breakdown while travelling on the motorway Green Flag say it’s best to try and turn off the road at the next exit. If this isn’t possible, pull onto the hard shoulder and turn on your hazard warning lights. 

Exit the car using the doors facing away from passing traffic, wait behind a barrier and move up the bank at the side of the road if it’s safe to do so. 

Don’t put yourself in danger by attempting to make any repairs yourself, call for help, or call your breakdown provider who will ensure you’re safely back on the road as soon as possible. 

We’d also suggest you carry a warning triangle and hi-vis vest - they are cheap and don’t take up much room in your boot (or frunk!) and could make a real difference to your safety in an emergency.

Do you have any top tips for driving in stormy weather? Let us know!​

Call a breakdown provider and get them to tow you to safety