Three out of five electric cars cannot handle temperatures as low as minus 42 degrees Celsius. For instance, the Chinese MG 4 had to be towed away after failing the test.
The ability of electric cars to function in icy conditions is increasingly relevant, especially in the Nordic region, where winter temperatures often plunge far below freezing.
This was reported by Boosted.
Extreme Cold Test
In February 2023, five electric cars were tested under extreme conditions, with temperatures dropping as low as minus 42 degrees. The results showed that several models encountered issues in such cold environments.
Each year, the Norwegian motorists’ organization NAF and Motor.no conduct the world’s largest winter test of electric car ranges. In typical winter conditions (between minus 5 and minus 10 degrees Celsius), some electric cars lose over 30% of their range.
However, in 2023, the Tesla Model S set a record by achieving a range of 530 kilometers during the test.
But how do electric cars perform under even more extreme conditions?
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The Freezer Test
To answer this, the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association subjected five electric cars to a test in a giant freezer, with temperatures dropping to minus 42 degrees. The cars tested were the BMW iX, Kia Niro EV, MG 4, Nissan Ariya, and Renault Megane E-Tech.
Before the test, the cars were charged to 80% and placed in the freezer for 12-14 hours, with intervals at minus 25, minus 30, and minus 35 degrees.
Three out of the five cars failed to operate in these extreme conditions:
MG 4: The car couldn’t connect with the key after the test and had to be towed out of the freezer.
Nissan Ariya: While the team managed to get the car started, it died after four minutes of warming up.
Kia Niro EV: The car started but stopped after 11 minutes of warming up.
It’s worth noting that even combustion-engine cars struggle at such low temperatures. However, the test revealed a particular weakness in electric cars: their 12-volt batteries. This issue is not limited to a single model but is a widespread problem in extreme cold, according to the study.
Range Was Not Tested at Minus 42 Degrees
The test did not evaluate the cars’ range under these extreme conditions. However, range reduction in cold weather remains a significant concern for electric car owners.
In more moderate winter conditions, many electric cars lose a substantial portion of their range.
