Why Do Electric Vehicles Consume More Power in Winter?
1 Answers
The reasons why electric vehicles consume more power in winter include reduced battery capacity, weakened charging and discharging capabilities, and decreased activity of the battery solution. Reduced Battery Capacity: Currently, 80%-90% of electric vehicles on the market use lead-acid batteries, which have the disadvantage of being less tolerant to low temperatures. Generally, the optimal operating temperature for these batteries is 25°C. For every 1°C drop in temperature, the usable capacity of the battery decreases by approximately 0.8%. Weakened Charging and Discharging Capabilities: In low temperatures, both the charging and discharging capabilities of electric vehicle batteries weaken. This situation improves as temperatures rise. In winter, due to lower temperatures, the battery's stored power is less efficiently released, typically resulting in a power reduction of around 40%. Lower-quality batteries may experience even greater power loss. Decreased Activity of the Battery Solution: Most electric vehicles use lead-acid batteries, which generate power through chemical reactions. During winter, as temperatures drop, the temperature of the solution inside the lead-acid battery decreases, leading to reduced material activity. This results in lower conversion efficiency, increased resistance, and a decrease in the battery's discharge voltage, ultimately reducing the usable capacity and causing faster power consumption.