I feel an ICE car is better in snow

[Williams]

I just remembered getting stuck in a snow drift last winter and having to try multiple times to get free, carefully shifting between reverse and drive. On the final attempt, I spun the wheels over some wood for traction until I smelled burning rubber. Once out, the “reduced propulsion” and service lights came on, but power returned after restarting, though the caution light stayed on....it was an experience! Honestly, an ICE car would have been much better in the snow.

 

[Tony1]

haha, last winter I also got stuck in a snowdrift, and the torque from my EV made it tough to regain traction. It really made me appreciate how an ICE vehicle might handle those snowy conditions better.

 

[Randy960]

Having driven quite a few ICE vehicles and the Spark in the snow, there's things I like about both. The weight the the Spark EV makes is very stable in up to a few inches of snow. That combined with decent snow tires makes it pretty good for anything except deep enough snow to get stuck in, because it's absolutely going to sink. Normally a hatch that small is unstable in light snow, but light enough that they don't get stuck easily as it gets deeper. As for throttle control, I don't think the EV is any worse than with an auto trans in an ICE vehicle, but nowhere near as good as something with a manual

 

[Williams]

haha, last winter I also got stuck in a snowdrift, and the torque from my EV made it tough to regain traction. It really made me appreciate how an ICE vehicle might handle those snowy conditions better.

Absolutely! That instant torque can be a double-edged sword in the snow. Did you have to dig out, or did you manage to get free eventually?

 

[Williams]

Having driven quite a few ICE vehicles and the Spark in the snow, there's things I like about both. The weight the the Spark EV makes is very stable in up to a few inches of snow. That combined with decent snow tires makes it pretty good for anything except deep enough snow to get stuck in, because it's absolutely going to sink. Normally a hatch that small is unstable in light snow, but light enough that they don't get stuck easily as it gets deeper. As for throttle control, I don't think the EV is any worse than with an auto trans in an ICE vehicle, but nowhere near as good as something with a manual

I completely agree, Spark's weight and good tires make a difference, and throttle control really shows the advantage of manuals in those conditions

 

[SmokeyPete]

Since the battery is above the rear tires you definitely need some snows here in Central Massachusetts. My 14inch old school WV wheels work great and are easier to clear of snow. The great suspension and ground clearance lets me get a good running start up my steep 180 foot driveway and the fact that the car is barely worth $3000 gives me the chutzpah to do it at 8-10 mph.

Btw, has anyone noticed that the Spark EV has many of the same attributes of the best selling BYD Seagull, yet is considered a joke here in the USA?
https://apnews.com/article/china-byd-auto-seagull-auto-ev-cae20c92432b74e95c234d93ec1df400

 

[Tony1]

Since the battery is above the rear tires you definitely need some snows here in Central Massachusetts. My 14inch old school WV wheels work great and are easier to clear of snow. The great suspension and ground clearance lets me get a good running start up my steep 180 foot driveway and the fact that the car is barely worth $3000 gives me the chutzpah to do it at 8-10 mph.

Btw, has anyone noticed that the Spark EV has many of the same attributes of the best selling BYD Seagull, yet is considered a joke here in the USA?
https://apnews.com/article/china-byd-auto-seagull-auto-ev-cae20c92432b74e95c234d93ec1df400

Your setup sounds great for winter.