All-electric vehicles (BEVs) tend to suffer from range loss during extremely cold temperatures due to the chemical reactions in battery cells.
Verified.org explained that BEVs do not feature heat-producing engines, which increases battery power consumption to warm the cabins. However, it must be noted that some models enable up to 80% of their original EPA-rated range even when the temperature declines to 32F. Meanwhile, some other models may fail to continue functioning after covering only half of the distance in the indicated EPA range.
Interestingly, Recurrent Auto’s recent study revealed that BEVs lose about 30% of their range on average during winter than ideal conditions.
Comparison approach
Recurrent Auto evaluated more than 10,000 BEVs in the US market via its onboard diagnostics dongle.
Its main chart displays range loss in extremely cold temperatures for 12 top-selling BEV models in the country, comparing them to their driving temperature range.
The yellow indicator refers to the highest average driving range. The current community of drivers heeded during ideal temperatures, not the official EPA range rating.
Meanwhile, the blue indicator refers to the models’ range rating during freezing temperatures.
Most popular models’ range drops during winter
Presented below are the top 12 BEV models’ range loss in freezing temperatures compared to the ideal driving temperature:
| Models | Range loss |
| Hyundai Kona (2020/2021) | -34% |
| Ford F-150 Lightning (2022/2023) | -26% |
| Audi e-tron (2021/2022) | -16% |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E (2021 Premium AWD Extended) | -34% |
| Tesla Model Y LR AWD | -24% |
| Tesla Model 3 LR | -24% |
| Chevrolet Bolt (2017-2022) | -42% |
| Tesla Model X 100D | -24% |
| Volkswagen ID.4 (2021) | -46% |
| Nissan Leaf (2019 Plus) | -23% |
| Tesla Model S 90D | -28% |
| Nissan Leaf (2015) | -34% |
Other key findings
Apart from the varying range loss of the above-mentioned BEV models, the study also revealed other interesting details about this rapidly growing automotive technology during cold temperatures.
For instance, the findings show that heat pump technology can extend the battery range above 14F. Therefore, it can be one of the main considerations for EV owners residing in cold climates like northern regions of the US and Canada.
In addition, the range loss of models equipped with LFP batteries is substantially less than that of their NCA versions during normal cold temperatures. However, their charging time tends to be slower.
It must also be noted that all vehicles, regardless of powertrain, lose some efficiency in cold weather. However, drivers worry more about BEVs because of their direct effect on range.
Nonetheless, the range loss is apparently temporary without long-term damage to the battery. Therefore, current and future EV owners must not worry about the
inevitable range loss in cold weather, as it will return to normal once the temperature rises again.
