Clocks going back? How to check your EV charging timer and get winter-ready

The clocks go back at 2am on Sunday 25 October. You get an extra hour in bed, darker evenings and colder mornings, and if you drive an electric car, there's one quick job worth doing that weekend: checking your EV charging timer.

Here's how to check your timers, what cold weather really does to EV range, and what to look for if you're thinking about an electric car this winter.

How to check your EV charging timer after the clocks go back

If you charge on a timer to use a cheaper off-peak electricity rate, or warm your car on a schedule before you leave, check the times once the clocks have gone back.

Most cars, apps and smart chargers update themselves automatically, but not all do. A timer that's an hour out could mean:

• charging outside your off-peak window, and paying more for it

• getting into a cold car on the first dark morning

It takes a minute to check in your car's app or your charger's app, and it could save you money all winter.

Does cold weather affect EV range?

A little, but for most people it makes very little difference. EVs do lose some range in the cold, because the battery is less efficient and you're using more energy to heat the cabin.

But the average UK driver covers about 127 miles a week, according to SMMT figures. Even on a freezing day, most modern EVs cover that comfortably on one charge.

In practice, winter usually means plugging in a little more often, not changing how you live.

The best EV features for winter driving

If you're choosing your next car, three features make the biggest difference in the cold:

• A heat pump, which warms the cabin using far less energy than a conventional heater

• Heated seats, which warm you directly rather than heating all the air in the car

• A heated steering wheel, for the same reason, and because cold hands on a frosty morning are nobody's idea of fun

Together they keep you warm while using less battery, so you keep more of your range in the cold.

Get an electric car through salary sacrifice this winter

With electric car salary sacrifice, your monthly payment comes out of your gross salary before tax and National Insurance, so it can cost less than you might expect.

Browse electric cars on salary sacrifice to see prices for your salary, or book a salary sacrifice intro call and we'll help you find a car that suits your winter and the rest of your year.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to change my EV's charging timer when the clocks go back?

Possibly. Most cars, apps and smart chargers update automatically, but not all do. If you charge on a timer for an off-peak rate, or warm your car on a schedule, check the times after the clocks change on Sunday 25 October.

Will winter affect my EV's range day to day?

For most people, very little. EVs lose some range in the cold, but the average UK driver covers about 127 miles a week (SMMT), which most modern EVs manage comfortably on one charge, even on a freezing day.

What should I look for in an EV for winter?

A heat pump, heated seats and a heated steering wheel. They keep you warm while using less battery, so you keep more of your range in the cold.

Do smart chargers update automatically when the clocks change?

Most do, but not all. Open your charger's app after Sunday 25 October and check your schedule still lines up with your off-peak window.