As Winter Comes, Cold Weather Slash EV Driving Range
Most US states bordering Canada are already in the 40s at night. In the same regions, temperatures will drop below freezing within a few weeks. By late December and through January and February, the figure will be in the 20s or lower. At that point, the range of EVs in these areas can drop by over 25%.
According to PBS, “It’s well known that EVs lose some of their travel range in the cold, especially in subzero temperatures like those that hit the nation’s mid-section this week. Studies found that range loss varies from 10 percent to 36 percent.” There are cases in which cars could not be charged at all.
EV sales have already been hurt by ranges under any circumstances, which can be as low as 250 miles. Charging times to get a battery to 100% can take 30 minutes.
There are too few charging stations for many drivers, and some are backed up as drivers wait in line. Additionally, even with federal credits, EVs are, on average, more expensive than gas-powered cars.
Finally, as gas prices have fallen to under $3 for a gallon of regular in many parts of the country, the fuel cost savings of an EV are less attractive.
The cold weather is coming, which is why people stay with gas-powered cars.
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