Winter Tips
We are here to help you be prepared for Minnesota winters! All HOURCARs and Evies are equipped with all-wheel drive, all season tires, or winter tires. You’ll find a windshield scraper and brush in each vehicle. Here's some tips for making a winter trip go smoothly.
Keep the Car Clear of Snow
In the winter, you may need to clear snow and ice from the vehicle and/or parking space. We suggest that you plan accordingly and allow for a few more minutes at the beginning of your trip to clean the car off.
Each vehicle is equipped with a scraper to keep the car clear. If snow is falling during your trip, be sure to clear all snow from the headlights, taillights, and license plates. If you had to spend a significant amount of time (15+ minutes) clearing the car at the start of your trip, please let us know via email and we will happily compensate you with equivalent Drive Credit for your time.
Take Your Time
Road conditions may require you to drive slowly in order to reach your destination safely. We recommend adding an additional 30 minutes to the end of your scheduled HOURCAR reservation to make sure you have enough time to get where you need to go. If you’re running behind on a scheduled HOURCAR trip due to the weather, call us safely (remember Minnesota is a Hands-free State) as soon as possible at 612.343.2277. We can either help you extend your trip or make sure members aren’t inconvenienced while you get back to the hub safely.
If you need to cancel your reservation because severe weather makes driving unsafe, let us know by phone or email and we will waive any associated charges. Your safety is most important to us.
Snow Emergency Relocation Credit
You can receive $10 in drive credit for each Evie moved out of an affected Snow Emergency route. Email info@HOURCAR.org, subject “Snow Relo”, with the license plate, date, and time that you moved the car, as well as the location you moved it from and where you moved it to. All requests will be reviewed within 5 business days after the completion of the Snow Emergency and Drive Credit is valid for 60 days after application.
We do not refund trip costs associated with the relocation. We advise members to use discretion on how long it may take to move a car from the deep snow. Drive Credit is offered as a form of trip reimbursement and goodwill when relocating a vehicle. The maximum credit earned is $10 per vehicle relocated.
Electric Vehicle Range
Electric vehicles get less range in the cold, so prepare in advance to make sure you don't get stranded! When you choose an Evie Carshare vehicle on the app, check the available range before you book to ensure it will have enough charge for your full trip. If you arrive to an Evie Loop and find that there's not enough range for your trip, contact us for help with charging or finding a new vehicle.
As you drive, keep an eye on the range. We recommend making sure you are at a charger with 15-20 miles of charge left on the vehicle to be safe. Call us at 612.343.2277 for help finding chargers!
Our Electric Vehicle Road Trip Tips page has an entire section dedicated to winter range - check those tips out as well!