Electric cars in winter: don't be surprised if you can only drive 60% of the trip

Low temperatures have a significant impact on the range of electric cars

The popularity of electric vehicles has been skyrocketing in recent years, but their use in winter conditions poses some challenges that are often not mentioned in advertisements. One of the biggest concerns for EV drivers is the significant reduction in range during the cold season.

Although manufacturers provide official data on the efficiency of their vehicles, real-world tests show that EV batteries lose 16% to as much as 40% of their performance at low temperatures.

This problem is particularly acute in colder areas where winter temperatures are often well below 0 °C. Such a significant reduction in the range can cause considerable inconvenience for drivers, especially those who travel long distances daily or live in areas where the charging station network is not well-developed^[1].

So what causes such a significant loss of power, and which EVs suffer more when the winter cold sets in?

Range tests on electric cars help to understand how power changes in winter conditions

Automotive magazine "What Car?" has been testing electric cars for several years to discover their real-world range in warm and cold seasons. The tests are carried out under particular conditions to ensure uniform testing standards.

Winter tests are usually carried out in January or February, when air temperatures vary between 0 and 2 °C. Each car is fully charged and left outside overnight to expose the battery to the same conditions it would experience in real life.

The next day, the test EVs are fully charged again, the tire pressure is checked, the climate control temperature is set to the same level, and the headlights are switched on. The driving is based on a standardized route of 19 miles (about 30 km), which includes different driving conditions: city traffic with frequent stops, moderate speed driving (about 80 km/h), and motorway mode (about 112 km/h).

This methodology allows you to see how the electric car behaves in different situations and reflects many drivers' actual driving conditions.

The test cars are driven until they are fully discharged, which accurately indicates how far they can go on a single charge. The results of these tests show that on average, electric cars lose around 18% of their claimed range in winter, but some models suffer even more, with their range almost halved.

It should also be remembered that a car wears out with use, so that the actual range is gradually reduced even further with regular use under normal conditions.

Why do electric cars lose range in colder weather?

The main reason electric cars become less efficient in winter is the temperature sensitivity of the batteries. EV batteries use lithium-ion cells, which perform optimally at moderate temperatures of around 20-25 °C.

However, when the temperature drops, the rate of chemical reactions slows down, reducing the battery's ability to deliver energy efficiently. This means the car uses more energy to do the same job, reducing the overall range.

In addition, electric cars do not have an internal combustion engine, which generates heat in conventional cars and can be used to heat the passenger compartment. Instead, EVs have to use additional energy from the battery, even for heating, reducing efficiency.

Some models are equipped with heat pumps that partially help compensate for the energy loss. However, even with these technologies, EVs still lose a significant part of their range because they deplete the battery much more. "What Car?" editor Steve Huntingford, explains:

"Our real-world tests show that in winter, the range of electric cars is reduced by an average of 18%, but for some models, the difference is as much as 40%. Models with heat pumps are less affected, but most EV owners will need to charge their vehicles more frequently during the winter months."

Another problem is longer charging times. In cold conditions, charging systems limit the charging rate to protect the battery from overcharging or damage. This means charging EVs in winter can take longer than in the warmer months. This is quite inconvenient for those who often travel long distances.

Some EVs lose much more efficiency in winter - up to 40%

"What Car?" tests have shown that some electric car models are susceptible to cold temperatures and lose up to 40% of their officially claimed range in winter.

The worst-performing model was the Fiat 500 42kWh Icon. This electric car has an official claimed range of 319 km, but in winter, the actual range is reduced to 190 km, with a loss of 40.4% of battery life.

The Lexus UX 300e Takumi came in second place with a 37.7% reduction in range. This electric car loses 166 km of its official 439 km.

Other models that lost more than a third of their range in winter were the Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range RWD (-34.8%), the Volkswagen ID 7 Pro Match without heat pump (-33.7%) and the Jeep Avenger Summit (-33.2%). This means that even more luxurious models, such as the Audi Q4 e-tron or the Tesla Model 3 Long Range, face significant power losses.

Drivers can reduce the range loss of an electric car in winter

While it is not possible to completely prevent battery degradation in the cold, there are some ways to minimize this adverse effect. One of the most effective solutions is using a heat pump, which allows more efficient heat retention and uses less battery power than conventional heating systems^[2].

It is also advisable to warm up the car before driving while it is still connected to the charger. This avoids additional battery drain and allows the cabin to reach the optimum temperature before starting the journey.

Most newer electric cars allow you to set up preheating ("preconditioning") via an app or the car's control system. This means you can set the car's heating to be ready to go when you need it.

Drivers can also reduce overall energy consumption by using seat and steering wheel heating instead of heating the whole cabin. Some electric cars also allow you to set automatic climate control - a feature that can help you balance heating and ventilation systems efficiently to use less battery power.

Another critical factor is to avoid rapid acceleration and sudden braking, which can adversely affect battery performance. It is also worth paying attention to tire pressure, which can drop in winter, increasing rolling resistance and further reducing range.