How to Winterise Your EV Campervan: A Step-by-Step Guide

Winter travel in an electric campervan offers unique advantages, from silent driving through snowy landscapes to reducing your environmental impact on the road. However, colder temperatures can affect the performance of your EV campervan’s battery and other systems. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to winterise your EV campervan, ensuring you’re prepared for safe and comfortable winter adventures.

Why Should You Winterise Your EV Campervan?

Winter conditions can be tough on any vehicle, but EV campervans require special attention due to their reliance on battery power. Cold weather can reduce the range of your electric vehicle (EV), impact the performance of components, and make it harder to stay warm. By properly winterising your campervan, you can avoid common issues and make the most of your winter travels.

Step 1: Battery Care and Maintenance

The battery is the heart of your electric campervan, and cold temperatures can cause it to lose charge more quickly. Follow these tips to protect your battery during winter:

Keep Your Battery Warm

• Pre-condition your battery: Many EVs allow you to warm up the battery before driving. Pre-condition your campervan while it’s still plugged in to ensure it starts with optimal battery temperature.
• Insulate the battery: Some EV campervans come with battery heating systems, but if yours doesn’t, consider using insulation mats designed for EV batteries to help retain heat during cold nights.

Charge More Frequently

• Cold weather can reduce your campervan’s range by up to 20%, so plan to charge more frequently than you would in warmer months. Use apps like Zap-Map to find reliable charging stations along your route, especially in more remote areas where chargers may be sparse.

Monitor Charging Times

• Charging your campervan’s battery takes longer in cold weather, especially if you’re using a standard home charger. Be sure to account for extra time when planning your journey. Consider using fast chargers wherever possible to reduce downtime.

Step 2: Insulate Your Campervan for Cold Weather

Keeping the interior of your campervan warm is crucial for winter trips. Poor insulation will cause heat loss and force your battery to work harder to power heating systems.

Improve Window and Door Insulation

• Thermal window covers: Invest in insulated window covers to reduce heat loss from windows. These are especially useful for large campervan windows, which can let in a lot of cold air.
• Door seals: Check the seals around your campervan’s doors and windows. Replace any worn seals to prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping.

Roof and Floor Insulation

• Consider upgrading the insulation in your campervan’s roof and floor. A well-insulated roof will help trap heat inside, while floor insulation can stop cold air from seeping in, especially if you plan on parking in snowy or icy conditions.

Step 3: Heating Systems and Energy Management

Use Efficient Heating Systems

• Electric space heaters: If your campervan has solar panels or access to regular charging, a low-energy electric heater can keep you warm without heavily draining the battery.

• Get a Thermo-roll heated bed: Our exclusive heated bed system uses power gathered during the day to heat you like a bug in a rug during the night. It can also be used during the day to heat your bum on cold mornings. This clever device heats the body directly using a fraction of the power needed to heat the space, so can be used for hours on end without compromising your battery and it does not affect range.

• Switch on front heated seats: These use less power than the cabin heater and because they heat the body direct are more efficient and heat your body better.

• Use powered campsite pitches: Powered pitches allow you to use your in-built electric heaters such as the bluetooth plinth heater in the Eco Revolution.

Maximise Heating Efficiency

• Pre-heat your campervan while charging: Many electric campervans allow you to pre-heat the cabin while plugged into a charger. This ensures you start your journey with a warm interior, reducing the need for battery-powered heating once you’re on the road.
• Reduce energy consumption: Turn off non-essential devices and systems to conserve battery power for heating and driving. This includes dimming lights, turning off unused appliances, and limiting the use of the entertainment system.

Step 4: Winter Tyres and Safety Checks

Cold and icy roads can be treacherous, especially when driving a campervan. Preparing your vehicle for winter roads is key to staying safe.

Invest in Winter Tyres

• Winter tyres: EVs are heavier than conventional campervans due to their batteries, so investing in good-quality winter tyres is essential. These tyres provide better traction on snow and ice, improving your control in slippery conditions.

Check Brakes and Fluid Levels

• Brake maintenance: Ensure your campervan’s brakes are in top condition. Cold weather can affect brake performance, so it’s worth getting them checked by a professional before setting off on a winter journey.
• Fluids: Top up essential fluids, such as windscreen wash with an anti-freeze additive, and check the coolant system to prevent freezing.

Step 5: Prepare for Off-Grid Stays

If you plan on staying off-grid during the winter months, there are extra steps you’ll need to take to prepare.

Solar Power in Winter

• Solar panels can still generate power during the winter, but their efficiency may drop due to shorter daylight hours and cloudy skies. Be sure to clear snow or ice from the panels to maximise their output. Consider portable solar panels that can be repositioned to catch the best winter sun.

Water Systems

• Insulate water tanks: Water systems in your campervan can freeze during cold weather. Insulate the pipes and tanks to prevent this, or consider installing tank heaters if you plan to spend a lot of time in freezing temperatures.
• Carry extra water: Always carry extra water in case your main water system freezes. Collapsible water containers are a good option for storing emergency supplies.

Final Thoughts

We believe that it’s essential to winterise  your EV campervan, it’ll ensure your trips remain safe, comfortable, and battery-efficient. By taking these steps—caring for your battery, improving insulation, using energy-efficient heating, and preparing for icy conditions—you’ll be ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful winter landscapes in your EV campervan.

For more tips and advice on EV campervan travel, stay tuned to our blog or contact CampervanCo for expert support on maintaining your campervan year-round.