#1: Does heating my car kill my EV battery?
The type of heating your car has makes a big difference to your range.
Heat pumps vs Resistive heating
Several studies have shown that cars with heat pumps are more efficient than resistive heating above freezing temperatures.
EV Charger reviews found that heating a Tesla Model Y with a heat pump only increased energy consumption by 8% compared to the 26% increase with a Tesla Model Y with a resistive heater. Remember: the less energy you use, the more range you have.
What’s the difference?
- Resistive heating is more energy intensive than a heat pump since it uses electricity to create heat through a conductor. The heat is then directed into the cabin via a fan.
- While heat pumps pulls heat from the air from outside, and goes through a refrigerant coolant and compressed which raises the temperature. This warm air is then pushed through to your cabin.
#2: How much EV battery range do I lose in winter?
Studies show that all cars lose efficiency in the cold – but how do petrol-powered cars and electric cars compare?
Petrol cars vs electric cars
The US Department of Energy found that petrol-powered cars can lose up to 15% of their fuel economy in cold weather, and that number jumps to 20% for short trips before the engine warms up.
When the Norwegian Automobile Association tested 23 EVs in winter conditions, they found that EVs can lose up to 32% of their range. Another study by Recurrent showed the loss can be up to 30% in cold weather between -7 and -1 degrees. In both studies car model and battery size mattered.
So while you don’t lose all your range, colder temperatures do affect your EV range.
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#3: Will my EV battery charge at 0 degrees?
Research shows that, in temperatures below 0 degrees celsius, vehicle battery capacity decreases and internal resistance increases. This means it will take longer to charge in cold weather, and you might find that the battery drains more quickly than you’d expect.
The 2024 winter test by the Norwegian Automobile Federation found charging an EV battery to drive 200km takes longer when they start charging at 30% than at 10%. For example, the Hyundai Kona takes 23 minutes to charge 200km from 10% but 40 minutes from 30%.
Right now carmakers are working on ways to make EV batteries perform better in the cold through>
- AI updates in EV software that aim to optimise battery performance and range predictions across wider temperature ranges and throughout the battery’s lifespan. And these software updates can be used in cars already on the market.
- New weather-resilient battery technology like improved battery electrolyte, and self-heating batteries.
Resources and expertise:
The research behind our data
Our experts fact checked and last updated this research on 3 December 2024.
Sources:
#1:
- Tested: Heat pump in cold weather – How much range is lost? by EV Charger Reviews
#2:
- Fuel economy in cold weather by the US Department of Energy
- Norwegian Automobile Federation tests 23 popular EVs in winter conditions
- Best EV for winter & cold weather range by Recurrent
#3:
- Thermal analysis of lithium-ion battery of electric vehicle using different cooling medium (2024) by Niroj Adhikari, Ramesh Bandari and Prajwol Joshi
- Lade ved 10 eller 30 prosent? Her kan du spare mye tid by Norwegian Mobile Federation
- Electric vehicles aren’t ready for extreme heat and cold. Here’s how to fix them by Scientific American