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Electric vehicles should work just as well in winter as they do the rest of the year. But cold weather can change how things like battery range, charging, and overall performance feel day to day.

That’s why we spend time testing in real winter conditions. For Slate, it’s all about making sure everything works the way you’d expect when temperatures drop—whether that’s how the battery holds up, how the cabin warms up, or how the vehicle handles on snow and ice.

The goal is simple: on a freezing morning, your vehicle just works—no surprises.

One of the most effective ways to test a vehicle is in real winter conditions—deep slush, ice, and extended sub-freezing temperatures. That can mean running vehicles through slushy roads repeatedly, then allowing that buildup to freeze. It’s a practical way to ensure ice accumulation doesn’t interfere with critical systems underneath, and that components continue to operate as expected.

We also use sensors throughout the vehicle to track how temperatures change in cold conditions. By monitoring areas like the battery, cabin, and underbody, we can better understand how the vehicle responds in real time. That data helps us refine our thermal management systems so key components stay within their optimal range—even in extreme cold.

A lot of EV development starts with simulation and controlled lab testing. Winter testing is where those models get put to the test in the real world.By taking vehicles into actual cold-weather conditions, we can validate that everything performs as expected outside the lab. It’s also an opportunity to catch potential issues early and continue refining the design before vehicles reach customers.

For Slate owners, this kind of testing builds confidence that the vehicle is ready for real winter driving. Cold weather validation helps ensure reliable starts, consistent performance, and systems that continue to operate as expected when temperatures drop.

In other words, it’s one more way we make sure a Slate vehicle is ready for everyday life—whether that’s a warm afternoon or a freezing winter morning.