We have started to consider what kind of provisions company car drivers have for winter driving with a new all-electric vehicle. This concern is timely, as 49 percent of company cars ordered last year were already fully electric. Since comfortable and quiet electric cars handle differently in winter conditions compared to traditional combustion engine cars, it is important to familiarize oneself with one’s own vehicle.
Premier Park’s CEO Henrik Sundberg has noticed challenges among drivers in mastering the driving characteristics of all-electric vehicles. The uncertainty and need for practice are evident, for example, in the fact that ample time must be allocated for questions and feedback after track driving. If the final discussion used to take fifteen minutes, now an hour is not enough to address the questions of electric car drivers.
“There’s surprisingly much to learn, but electric car drivers approach their vehicles with great enthusiasm and an open mind,” Sundberg says.
We have started a collaboration with Premier Park to help drivers become familiar with and confident in driving electric cars safely.
“With safe driving training, we aim to lower the threshold for adopting electric cars and, in doing so, promote road safety. Our service range will include electric vehicle safety training, conducted in cooperation with the Premier Park driver training center. Driver coaching is an enjoyable way for drivers to learn by trying and testing, and for companies, it’s an easy way to ensure a smooth and safe transition to a new power source,” explains Tiina Märijärvi, Head of Corporate Business.
Anticipation as the Foundation
Sundberg summarizes the biggest differences between combustion engine cars and electric cars as weight and efficiency. The most important skill for a driver is anticipation.
– Drivers of electric cars must be aware that the car is significantly heavier than combustion engine cars, which affects the braking distance. This usually comes as a surprise. The second is the efficiency of electric cars; they accelerate considerably faster, Sundberg reminds. In driving practice, the focus is on the correct way to brake, as it relates to intersection driving and the so-called moose avoidance, which involves emergency braking, evasive maneuvers, and returning to one’s lane.
“Younger drivers have learned in modern vehicles that resemble electric cars more closely. We older drivers were taught to pump the brakes — that doesn’t apply anymore. Now you must press the brake firmly and keep your foot down. The key is to slow down enough to make a successful steering maneuver,” Sundberg illustrates.
The training also focuses on driving position, ensuring the seat distance is correct from the pedals and the hands rest at a 90-degree angle on the steering wheel at a quarter to three position. This makes steering easiest and fastest, even in dangerous situations.
“Anticipation is the cornerstone of safe driving in any car, but even more so with electric vehicles. It’s crucial for judging braking distances, maintaining safe following gaps, and monitoring traffic. Anticipation also affects driving range — steady driving conserves battery power. Driving too fast wastes energy, and in winter, speed must always match conditions. Having quality tires — studded or friction — greatly enhances safety, as tires are the car’s most important accessory,” Sundberg emphasizes.
Quick Acceleration Enhances Safety
Our own staff’s company cars are also being updated to fully electric vehicles. Sales Manager Sales Manager Nestori Leppänen and Panu Fält have been driving their new cars for a year, and neither would want to switch back to combustion engine cars. Although neither has home charging capability, they find charging to be effortless.
Fält already has experience from last early spring with winter driving, but for Leppänen, the past few months have provided the first experience of driving on slippery and icy roads. Fält’s car has four-wheel drive, which supports driving on slippery surfaces. Both have noticed that the braking distance is now longer. In addition to weight, it is good to note that due to the batteries, the car’s center of gravity is lower than usual. The cars also accelerate quickly, for example, when starting from traffic lights – it’s not advisable to press the gas pedal all the way down immediately.
“Keeping a safe distance is always on my mind,” says Fält.
“In fact, driving feels more stable in a heavier car. Switching to winter driving didn’t surprise me once I was familiar with the vehicle,” Leppänen adds.
Fält is impressed with winter driving because the electric car heats up quickly. It’s safe to start driving with clear windows. It should be remembered that cold weather consumes more battery, but the same phenomenon occurs with combustion engine cars as well.
“The biggest difference compared to previous cars is one-pedal driving — I use it constantly in city traffic. It replaces braking and requires anticipation and fine control,” Leppänen explains.
Both agree that driver coaching is an excellent way to build confidence and improve safety behind the wheel.
This article was originally published on Drivalia’s website in January 2024.