Does Electric Vehicle Range Really Drop by Half in Winter?
2 Answers
Electric vehicles experience a significant reduction in range during winter. Rapid decline in energy release: Data shows that when the temperature drops from 25°C to -20°C, the battery's discharge capacity decreases by approximately 40%. Increased resistance: In low temperatures, the electrolyte ions inside the battery tend to move more slowly, increasing the battery's internal resistance and accelerating power consumption. This is one of the reasons for reduced EV range in winter. Other factors: At extremely low temperatures, to protect the battery, electric vehicles may disable energy recovery systems. If the cabin heating is also used under these conditions, the driving range will naturally decrease further.
I've been driving an electric car for several years, and indeed, the range does decrease in winter, but it rarely drops by half as dramatically. Batteries perform poorly in low temperatures, much like how a phone shuts down in the cold, leading to reduced energy conversion efficiency. Additionally, the energy consumption of heating systems, such as running the hot air conditioning, adds significant extra power drain. Last year, when temperatures here dropped to minus ten degrees Celsius, my car, which has a standard range of 400 kilometers, only managed about 280 kilometers, a drop of around 30%. Factors affecting this also include driving habits, with rapid acceleration and traffic congestion consuming more electricity. It's advisable to preheat the battery using an app before heading out and to park in a garage or keep it plugged in to maintain warmth. Don't worry too much; the range doesn't always halve. The key factors are the temperature and how well the car is maintained.
