Impact of Cold Weather on Electric Vehicle Range
According to Green Car Reports, cold weather can influence the range of electric vehicles (EVs) differently depending on the model. A recent study by Recurrent sheds light on how different EVs perform in cold conditions, using data from over 10,000 cars.
Electric Vehicle Cold Weather Performance
Recurrent, known for creating battery health reports for used EVs, studied the effects of cold weather on EV range loss. The company used data from 18 different EV models and compared their range in freezing temperatures to their range in ideal conditions. The results showed that, on average, the models retained 70.3% of their range in freezing conditions. However, each model had a different level of performance.
The Audi E-Tron SUV (which is set to become the Audi Q8 E-Tron in 2024) and the Nissan Leaf performed best in freezing conditions, with range losses of 16% and 18% respectively. Conversely, the Volkswagen ID.4 and Chevrolet Bolt EV faced the largest range losses in cold weather, at 46% and 42% respectively.
Role of Heat Pumps in Cold Weather EV Performance
Recurrent attributes the performance differences between models to the inclusion of heat pumps, a feature common in many EVs. While heat pumps don’t offer much benefit in extreme cold, they can extend the range of EVs in colder weather. For instance, the Audi E-Tron, which was designed with a heat pump from the outset, experienced less range loss in freezing temperatures.
Despite the absence of a heat pump in the Bolt EV, General Motors plans to include this feature in its future Ultium vehicles, potentially offering a range advantage. The automaker has also committed to producing an Ultium-based Bolt EV to replace the current model, but a definitive timeline for this has yet to be announced.
Future Developments in EV Cold Weather Performance
More recently, Ford announced the inclusion of a heat pump in its 2024 F-150 Lightning, starting with the new Flash model. Following a reported 34% range loss during a cold snap in Minnesota, the addition of a heat pump could help maintain the model’s range in cold weather.
Meanwhile, Tesla began incorporating heat pumps into its EVs in 2021. As a result, its models experienced a modest 24-26% range reduction in freezing temperatures.
In other news, Recurrent recently revealed a partnership with the Department of Treasury, aiming to prepare dealerships for the EV tax credit transition to a point-of-sale rebate in 2024.
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