As the whole of North India grasps the sudden fall in temperature, it is highly probable that many EV owners are noticing that the range of their vehicles has also dropped slightly. This is primarily because cold weather does indeed affect electric vehicles and in the process steal their range. However, this depreciation is a temporary affair. As the temperature rises, your the expected vehicle’s range at full charge will also fully return to normal.
How much range is lost during winter?
The amount of range lost is dependent on several factors. For example, its potential range in normal weather, the vehicle itself, and whether the heat is on. As per the American Automobile Association, cold weather cuts the range of an electric car by 40%.
So, why does the range depreciate?
One of the prime differences between an EV and an ICE-powered vehicle is where they source the heat from. In ICE-powered vehicles, the engine generates a lot of heat as its byproduct. Battery-powered vehicles, on the other hand, rely on the battery solely to heat its cabin and passengers, thus in the process, it also uses up the energy that could be used for driving.
So, what exactly happens inside the battery during winters
Cold temperatures inhibit or rather slow down the chemical and physical reactions that make battery work, like conductivity and diffusivity. This leads to longer charging time, which in turn increases the impedance.
How to overcome this issue and not damage your battery?
Before we address this question, it should be mentioned that cold-related range effects are a temporary issue. Most vehicle equips a temperature regulation in their battery management system (BMS) that prevents high voltage and fast charging if the battery is too cold i.e. freezing point.
