How AAA tests the winter range of EVs : NPR

Key Points:

• AAA's recent testing reveals that electric vehicle (EV) battery range decreases by an average of 8.5% in hot weather and 39% in cold weather, highlighting significant efficiency losses outside the optimal 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit range.
• Compared to AAA's 2019 tests, EVs have shown improvement in handling heat with reduced range loss, but winter range performance remains largely unchanged despite technological advances in battery chemistry and vehicle design.
• Cold weather also affects hybrid and internal combustion engine vehicles, with hybrids experiencing about a 23% fuel economy loss at 20 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating that range reduction in cold climates is a broader automotive issue.
• Despite winter range challenges, EV adoption is high in cold regions like Norway, suggesting that with proper planning and adjustments, EVs remain practical in extreme temperatures.
• To maximize battery range year-round, EV drivers should pre-condition their vehicles while plugged in, use heated or ventilated seats instead of climate control, maintain proper tire inflation, and plan charging around expected range reductions, especially during cold weather.