Many people are concerned about the performance of electric vehicles in winter. Electric vehicle (EV) performance does change in winter, but so does that of gas-powered cars. There are thousands of EV drivers who drive through winters in New York and New England (and even colder places like Canada and Norway) with their EVs every year. Here’s what winter weather will do to your EV and tips from other EV owners.
Winter Driving Webinar
Winter driving is an important topic of conversation for EV and gas-powered car owners alike. There's no question that winter temperatures impact the range of your EV, but watch this webinar recording to learn how you can mitigate those impacts and still make the switch to an electric vehicle.
What Happens To My EV In Winter?
Your range will decrease in the winter. Batteries operate less efficiently when it’s cold, so a cold battery will get fewer miles per kilowatt-hour than a warm battery. As a result, a full charge will not get you as far in winter as it would in spring, summer and fall. The ratings on miles per charge have been shown to be accurate on a year-round basis with the other three seasons more than making up for the winter. For most of the year, EV drivers can expect to exceed their car’s rating, but on cold days, we can expect less than the car’s rating. This is one reason customer satisfaction ratings for EVs are generally much higher than for gasoline powered cars.
Many modern EVs have a system that heats up the battery to keep it operating as efficiently as possible. However, heating the battery consumes stored energy in the battery, so you lose some driving miles. In addition, because EV’s drivetrains don’t squander energy by creating waste heat like gas-powered cars 60% of the energy created by burning gas is lost to waste heat!), you will have to use some of the battery power to heat the car to a comfortable temperature. All of these factors mean your EV’s range will decrease when it’s cold. With that said, gas-powered cars’ ranges also decrease in the cold: according to the U.S. Department of Energy, “Fuel economy tests show that, in short-trip city driving, a conventional gasoline car’s gas mileage is about 12% lower at 20°F than it would be at 77°F. It can drop as much as 22% for very short trips (3 to 4 miles).” So, whether you’re in a conventional gas-powered car or an EV, cold weather’s going to decrease your range, period.
Driving in snow and ice will be no problem. Electric vehicles generally have a low center of gravity and evenly distributed weight, which make them easy to maneuver and get you good traction. In many EVs, the battery essentially forms the floorboard of the vehicle, which adds extra stability. Yes, you’ll make it up that hill or through that lump of snow! There are a few EVs available with all-wheel drive, and more on the way.
How Much Range Will I Lose In The Cold?
The short answer is, of course, “it depends.” How much range you lose in the cold depends on: what car you drive, how you drive it, how you heat it, how cold it is outside, where you park, and many other factors.
In February 2019, AAA released a study on the impact of weather on electric vehicle driving range. They tested five different models (BMW i3s, Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan LEAF, Tesla Model 3, and Volkswagen e-Golf) at ambient temperatures of 20 degrees, 75 degrees, and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
On average, the electric vehicles experienced about 12% reduction in range in the cold without any HVAC operating in the car. With HVAC on, electric cars lost 41% of their range at 20 degrees Fahrenheit. That means the biggest drain on the car's battery is heating the cabin for passenger comfort.
Notably, the study kept cars at an internal temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit on maximum fan speed - a very energy-intensive habit. The extent of range loss in cold weather will vary from car to car and person to person, but 41% range loss is greater than what most Massachusetts and Rhode Island drivers report in the winter. To maximize range, drivers can use the climate controls in their car more conservatively and rely on more efficient heating features, like heated seats and steering wheels.
From the collective experience of the EV drivers we know, we assert that the rated range of EVs on the market are accurate on a year-round basis. There are many days in which the temperature is mild enough to allow the range to be much higher than the rated range, making up for reduced range in the winter.
To learn more about how ambient temperatures affect range and efficiency of electric vehicles, read the full AAA testing report here
Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your EV In Winter
You don’t need to buy a second car for the winter or restrict your driving radius. To get the most out of your EV, we recommend that you:
Precondition your vehicle.Preconditioning” means heating up your car’s battery while it’s still plugged in. (Most cars will allow you to start preconditioning remotely via cell phone.) This way, your battery warms up and operates more efficiently when you start to drive but you don’t have to deplete your battery’s reserves to heat it. Not to mention that you step into a warm vehicle when you’re ready to leave, so you won’t need to crank the heat as much when you unplug. It’s a win-win-win!
Use the special heating features of your vehicle.Most modern EVs offer seat warmers and heated steering wheels. Use these features! They require less energy than heating the air and will make you feel comfortable even if you keep the cabin air temperature slightly lower.
Drive efficiently. Turn on regenerative breaking or set your car in eco-mode. By capturing any energy that might otherwise be lost, you’re extending the range of your car. If ever there was a time not to speed, it’s when it’s cold outside. Speed increases drag and drag reduces mileage.
Clean off your car.Chunks of snow and ice weigh down your vehicle and compromise its aerodynamics, both of which will reduce your range.
Put on a sweater or keep on your coat.We are all used to driving in toasty cabins because we have become accustomed to the heat of incredibly inefficient gas engines. It’s obvious, but if you keep on your coat or put on a sweater (gloves are a good idea too), you’ll need to heat the cabin less and your battery will thank you.
Park and charge somewhere warm. If you can park and charge your EV somewhere warm, your battery will be glad. For example, if you park outside, parking on the sunny side of the parking lot rather than the shady side will make a difference.
Want more information?
Look here for more great advice from the U.S. Department of Energy.
And to see how your favorite EV holds up in a cold climate like Norway’s, check out this report by Norsk elbilforening.