YES...YOUR EV RANGE DROPS IN WINTER

As the temperature dips, many electric vehicle (EV) owners face an unexpected challenge: a significant drop in their range. For Bryan, a new EV owner in Michigan, the season's first cold snap brought a startling realization. "I was shocked to see that my range had dropped by almost 30% overnight," he says. This sudden decrease is a common experience among EV owners as winter sets in, leaving many puzzled and concerned about the reliability of their green technology during the colder months.

Why Does Cold Weather Affect EV Range?

The phenomenon Bryan experienced is not unique, nor is it unexplainable. Several key factors reduce the efficiency and performance of electric vehicles in cold weather.

1. Battery Chemistry: Electric vehicles rely on lithium-ion batteries, which operate best within a specific temperature range. A liquid electrolyte (Lithium Salt) in the lithium-ion batteries transfers ions between the anode and cathode. In cold temperatures, the liquid electrolyte thickens, slowing down the transfer of ions and reducing their ability to deliver power. The energy becomes more challenging to extract, and the battery drains faster than in warmer weather.

   
   

2. Heating Needs: Unlike internal combustion engines, which generate heat that can be used to warm the vehicle's interior, EVs must draw power directly from their batteries to heat the cabin. This additional energy consumption can significantly decrease the vehicle's overall range. Using the heater can reduce a vehicle's range by 15% to 30%.

   
   

3. Reduced Regenerative Braking Efficiency: Regenerative braking, a key feature in EVs that helps extend the driving range by converting kinetic energy back into stored energy in the battery, also suffers in the cold. The efficiency of this system decreases in lower temperatures because the battery doesn't accept charge as readily, further diminishing the vehicle's range.

   
   

4. Increased Rolling Resistance and Lower Tire Efficiency: Cold weather can make tires harder and decrease pressure, leading to increased rolling resistance. This means the EV has to expend more energy to move, further reducing its range.

   
   

What can you do?

Understanding these challenges is the first step toward mitigating them. EV owners can do certain things to maximize their vehicle's range during the winter:

• Preconditioning: When possible, keep the car plugged in while charging. Many EVs allow for preconditioning, where you can warm the car while it is plugged in.

  
  

• Proper Tire Maintenance: Keeping tires inflated and considering winter tires can reduce rolling resistance and improve efficiency.

  
  

• Strategic Heating: Use seat or steering wheel heaters instead of the cabin heater when possible, as they consume less energy.

Conclusion

Electric Vehicles lose range in cold weather. This does not mean electric vehicles should be banned or are not desirable; it just means that they will take an adaptive approach to facing the challenges of EVs. It also means that anyone desiring to get an EV should take into consideration the winter range vs. the summer range and how this can affect their lifestyle needs. Overall, EVs remain a good viable option on the market for anyone interested.