Study: All EVs Lose Range in the Cold, Some More Than Others
By Sean Tucker 12/29/2022 8:00am
As America’s automakers switch from gasoline to electric power, we’ll all have a lot to learn. Some of the biggest lessons surround weather.
All Cars Lose Range in Cold Weather
No matter their power source, all cars perform differently in the cold. The EPA estimates that “a conventional gasoline car’s gas mileage is roughly 15% lower at 20°F than it would be at 77°F.” But owners rarely notice much difference because we’re all accustomed to finding gas stations easily and refueling quickly.
It’s a Bigger Practical Concern for EV Owners
Range loss is a significant concern for electric vehicle (EV) owners. Refueling an EV takes longer, and public charging stations can be hard to find in many parts of the country. That scarcity requires EV owners to plan longer trips around recharging points — and to know they’ll need to stop more frequently when the mercury drops.
Some Dropped 3%; Others, More Than 30%
How much more? A new study says the percentage depends on the model. Some EVs lose as little as 3% of their driving range in cold weather. Others see it fall by nearly a third.
The study comes from Recurrent, a company that tracks EV battery life and uses machine learning to help owners care for their car’s batteries.
RELATED — I-95 Winter Traffic Nightmare: What If You Were Stuck in an Electric Car for 24 Hours?
The company used telematics data to calculate the numbers. But, it says, it had more reliable data on some than others.
It provides “verified winter ranges” for some. Those, Recurrent says, “include all real-world variables, such as uneven terrain, variable driving speeds and uses, and calendar aging in vehicle batteries.”
For others, it provides “estimated winter ranges,” using on-board telematics and manufacturers’ “proprietary range calculations and software.”
The Numbers:
| EV Model | Range Loss in Freezing Temperatures | Estimated or Verified |
| Jaguar I-Pace | 3% | Estimated |
| Audi e-tron | 8% | Estimated |
| Tesla Model X | 15% | Verified |
| Tesla Model Y | 15% | Verified |
| Tesla Model 3 | 17% | Verified |
| Tesla Model S | 19% | Verified |
| Nissan Leaf | 21% | Verified |
| Hyundai Kona | 19% | Estimated |
| Volkswagen e-Golf | 23% | Estimated |
| BMW i3 | 24% | Estimated |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 30% | Verified |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | 30% | Verified |
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | 32% | Estimated |
Tips for Winter Battery Management
Owners have some control over how much range they lose.
Many EVs have battery preconditioning programs drivers can run from a smartphone. These programs warm the cabin, and the battery, before you drive. Recurrent recommends EV owners always use them on cold days.
Owners can also use seat and wheel warmers, which use less energy than forced-air climate controls alone.
Tesla cars have active thermal management systems, Recurrent says, “so if you’re going to see family for the holidays, or escaping to a beach for a week, consider lowering your charge threshold to around 70% and leaving your car plugged in. That way, the car can pull energy from the wall to keep warm, rather than using the battery. Otherwise, you may return to a lower battery capacity than expected.”