Does Using Air Conditioning in New Energy Vehicles Consume Electricity Quickly?

[DiNorah]

Yes, it consumes electricity quickly. For new energy vehicles, the air conditioning system is driven by an electric motor. Whether using the air conditioner for cooling or heating, it will increase the vehicle's electricity consumption. The classification of new energy vehicles is introduced as follows: 1. New energy electric vehicles: A full charge can only travel about 100-200 kilometers. The advantages are energy saving and environmental protection, while the disadvantages are long charging time, low power, slow speed, and suitability only for factory area sightseeing and short-distance urban commuting. 2. New energy dual-fuel vehicles (hybrid of oil and electricity): The oil-electric engine has a simple structure. The advantage is strong endurance, while the disadvantages are low power, weak driving force, slow speed, and high failure rate. 3. New energy dual-fuel vehicles (gasoline and natural gas): Gasoline and natural gas have high combustion temperatures and are prohibited in some areas. The disadvantages are that the engine is prone to damage, has low power, and it is inconvenient to replace the stored gas.

[AaliyahLee]

Yes, using air conditioning in new energy vehicles does consume battery power quite quickly, especially for someone like me who commutes in an electric car. The air conditioning system relies on the battery to drive the compressor, unlike gasoline cars that can utilize engine waste heat. For instance, whether it's cooling in summer or heating in winter, the power consumption can account for over 20% of the vehicle's total energy usage, depending on the temperature and settings—the lower or higher the temperature, the harder the compressor works, with instantaneous power potentially exceeding 2 kilowatts, equivalent to rapidly depleting the driving range. From my own tests, turning on the air conditioning can reduce the range by about 100 kilometers, especially noticeable during traffic jams. To save some battery, I often schedule the air conditioning in advance, allowing the car to preheat or precool while charging; or I avoid setting it too high, keeping the fan speed moderate and the temperature around 23 degrees for the best balance. Of course, air conditioning technology is also improving, with newer heat pump systems consuming less power. But overall, it's important to plan charging frequency wisely to avoid letting range anxiety affect the driving experience.

[EzraLee]

Running the AC does drain the battery quickly. As a stay-at-home mom who shuttles kids around daily, I face this issue constantly. My children are sensitive to both heat and cold, so going without AC isn't an option, but every time I turn it on, the battery gauge plummets visibly - in summer, cooling can consume 10% of the charge in just half an hour, while winter heating is even more demanding. This happens because EVs rely entirely on battery power, making the AC compressor function like an additional burden, consuming 2-3 times more electricity than in gas vehicles. So I've adapted my habits: for instance, I remotely pre-cool the car for 5 minutes via app before departure instead of running AC at highway speeds; maintaining cabin temperature around 24°C (too high or low increases consumption). Also, regular AC filter cleaning ensures efficiency. Overall, the comfort is worth it, but requires diligent charge management - I recommend keeping extra battery reserve, unlike my panicked mid-trip charging station hunt.

[VanCamille]

Running the AC drains the battery pretty quickly, especially for young drivers during summer or winter. I noticed this as soon as I started driving an electric car: with the AC on, the car's acceleration feels slightly sluggish, and the range immediately drops by 15-20%. The reason is simple—the compressor consumes a lot of electricity, unlike gasoline cars that get some assistance from the engine. When using the AC for cooling, setting the temperature too low or running the fan at higher speeds will drain the battery even faster. I once tried a long highway trip with the AC on, and my range was literally halved. It’s even worse in city traffic jams—watching the battery percentage drop is painful. Now I’ve learned my lesson: I start by turning on recirculation mode, set the temperature to a comfortable level like 22°C, and avoid max cooling mode. Occasionally cracking the window for some fresh air also helps save power. In short, while EVs are eco-friendly, the AC is a major energy hog—so it’s something to keep an eye on.