A Norwegian study by NAF and Motor examined the effect of cold temperatures on the range of electric vehicles (EVs) under winter conditions, Boosted writes.
The research found a significant loss in range, with EVs losing an average of 24% compared to their official WLTP figures. The WLTP test is always conducted at 23°C, which is much higher than the cold conditions simulated in the study.
Among the models tested, the Tesla Model S performed best, with only a 16% loss in range, while the Toyota bZ4X saw a much higher drop of 36%.
This study mirrors findings from a similar U.S. investigation, where the Audi e-tron showed the least loss at 16%, and the Volkswagen ID.4 had the highest at 46%.
The loss in range is primarily due to two factors: battery chemistry and energy use for cabin heating.
Cold temperatures slow down the chemical reactions inside the battery, reducing its efficiency.
Additionally, electric vehicles require energy to heat the cabin, as opposed to combustion engine vehicles, which utilize waste heat from the engine.
To mitigate the effects of cold weather, experts recommend several strategies for optimizing EV range.
Parking the vehicle in a heated garage or warming it up during charging can help.
Using the vehicle's preconditioning function to warm the battery, keeping the cabin temperature moderate with seat and steering wheel heaters, and opting for a heat pump for efficient heating can further improve range.
Additionally, planning routes with navigation to precondition the battery before fast charging can be beneficial.
