More than a third of UK drivers feel nervous about driving electric vehicles in winter conditions, according to new research from YouGov commissioned by Michelin, highlighting a critical knowledge gap as EV adoption accelerates across the country.
The study, published as temperatures drop and Britain's electric vehicle fleet continues to expand, reveals that over half of drivers are unaware that their electric car might behave differently in cold weather compared to traditional petrol or diesel vehicles.
Despite 90% of adults agreeing that drivers should prepare their cars for winter, and 82% believing that tyres make a crucial difference to safe driving, only 11.7% of UK drivers currently fit winter-suited tyres to their vehicles.
The research also uncovered concerning perceptions around EV safety, with a fifth of respondents believing that electric vehicles are "generally less safe" than combustion-engined cars during winter months. Nearly half of those surveyed (43%) said they would welcome more information about driving EVs safely in cold conditions.
"Winter doesn't just challenge drivers – it challenges their vehicles and tyres too," said Joe Brammer, technical manager at Michelin UK. "Cold weather can affect braking distances and grip for all cars, yet too many drivers still aren't fitting tyres designed for these conditions."
Brammer emphasised the particular importance of winter preparation for electric vehicles: "With more electric vehicles on the road than ever, it's vital drivers understand how winter temperatures impact performance and safety as these cars can perform differently in winter compared to combustion vehicles. Choosing tyres built for cold weather or all-season use can make a real difference in maintaining control, confidence and protection on the road."
When asked to rank their biggest concerns about driving in poor weather conditions, 67% of drivers cited losing control on ice or snow as their primary worry, followed by getting stranded (14%) and damaging the car (6%).
Michelin notes that tyre performance is heavily dependent on temperature. Below 7°C, standard summer tyres begin to harden, reducing their ability to grip the road surface. Winter and all-season tyres utilise specially engineered rubber compounds and tread patterns that remain flexible in cold conditions, offering improved traction, braking and cornering stability in wet, icy or snowy conditions.
This consideration becomes particularly critical for rear-wheel-drive electric vehicles, which deliver instant torque and can behave unpredictably on slippery surfaces. Winter tyres designed to handle the additional weight and torque characteristics of electric vehicles – which all Michelin winter tyres are – can help maintain stability and range during the colder months.
The survey highlights what Michelin describes as an urgent need for drivers to receive better information about operating EVs safely, particularly in winter conditions. Respondents identified car manufacturers (64%), the government (55%) and dealers or retailers (44%) as the parties who should take the lead in educating drivers.
"It's encouraging that drivers understand how important winter preparation is, but awareness needs to translate into action," Brammer added. "Whether it's checking tyre pressures, fitting winter-ready tyres or booking a professional inspection, a few small steps can make winter driving safer and less stressful. It's clear too that there is an opportunity for those selling, promoting and encouraging uptake of EVs to help equip drivers with the knowledge they need to stay safe on the roads."
The research comes at a crucial time for the UK automotive sector, with electric vehicle registrations continuing to grow whilst the supporting infrastructure and driver education programmes struggle to keep pace with adoption rates.
Tagged with: EV tyres, winter tyres, all-season tyres, tyre safety, cold-weather grip, braking distances, tread depth, UK drivers, fleet safety, EV performance
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