Electric Vehicles Designed for the Harsh Winter Conditions of Northern Climates
Electric cars in winter: the truth about cold weather range
Make no mistake: electric cars are less efficient in the winter. The cold weather affects battery performance, reducing range and forcing you to charge more often. But with EVs accounting for 14.5 per cent of new car registrations, what sort of mileage might go missing? And can you still drive an EV in sub-zero temperatures?
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The short answer to the second question, of course, is yes. For years (thanks to strong incentives) Norways electric-car uptake far surpassed that of any other global market in spite of its extreme winters. The UK, in contrast, has a relatively mild climate, so driving an EV year-round over here should be a piece of cake.
Some firms, such as Renault, offer online calculators that let you work out what kind of range you can expect when temperatures drop. As an example, if youre running a Zoe in normal conditions (20 degrees celsius, at a steady 31mph), Renault reckons youll get 234 miles on a full charge.
If the temperature were to drop to just five degrees and you ran around everywhere with the heater on, that figure could topple to 187 miles according to Renaults sums a 20 per cent reduction in range. Its worse still when things fall below freezing; at minus five degrees a Zoe R135 will return just 152 miles before needing to be plugged in. Its important to note that the bigger the battery, the greater potential for energy loss.
Why does cold weather reduce EV efficiency?
Cold temperatures adversely affect EV batteries because they rely on chemical reactions to store and release electricity. Lithium-ion batteries the most common cells used in electric and hybrid cars work when lithium ions move from the anode to the cathode; cold slows this process down and restricts battery performance. The result can be a dramatic loss in usable range.
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How different electric vehicles perform in cold weather, according to one analysis
Large swaths of Canada and the northern U.S. will be hit by energy-sapping cold weather this week.
Electronics, including cell phones, digital cameras and laptops, lose some of their power in cold temperatures, and the same can be said for electric vehicles (EVs). According to RecurrentAuto.com, some EVs can lose up to 160 kilometres or 35 per cent of their range in cold temperatures.
This happens for a few reasons, Recurrent's battery scientist Jon Witt said in a company blog post. One factor is the physical and chemical reactions in the battery slow down in cold temperatures, reducing an EV's power.
The other factor is that EVs need to work harder than those with internal combustion engines to heat themselves. Internal combustion engines produce a lot of extra heat that is wasted in the summer, but which can be re-directed to warm the cabin in the winter. EV motors are more efficient, and the little heat generated by the motor is used to warm the battery. Cabin heating, in turn, relies on power drawn from the battery, which further reduces the battery's charge.
On the flipside, lithium-ion batteries like those used in most EVs work so well in warm temperatures that they actually degrade more quickly. Temperature affects the rate of chemical reactions inside a battery; so the higher the temperature, the faster the reactions, the more energy produced, and the faster the degradation.
Not many Canadians need to worry about those warmer climes right now, with bitterly cold temperatures forecast across the country this week. However, it could be helpful to know how to get the most out of an EV's battery for the future, since Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault proposed new regulations on Wednesday that would make it mandatory for one-fifth of all passenger cars, SUVs and trucks sold in Canada in 2026 to run on electricity.
By 2030, that proportion will rise to 60 per cent of all sales. By 2035, every passenger vehicle sold in Canada will need to be electric. The purpose of the mandate is to ensure Canadians have better access to electric vehicles, Guilbeault's parliamentary secretary Julie Dabrusin said during Wednesday's announcement.
The graphic below and information about how some of the most popular EV models perform in cold weather compared to the manufacturers' listed range was provided by Recurrent. The full report can be found here.
Winter range for popular EV models, according to a study by Recurrent. (recurrentauto.com)
Disclaimer: Numbers in the graphic will differ from the data below because, while the graphic shows the cold-weather range loss for each vehicle as a percentage of the range at 70 F (21 C), the reporting below lists the cold-weather range as a percentage of the manufacturers listed range.
Audi e-tron winter range
Model or trim: Premium plus
Observed range at -6.67 to -1 C: 93 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 101 per cent of original range
BMW i3 winter range
Model or trim: 42 kWh battery
Observed range at -6.7 to -1 C: 74 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 98 per cent of original range
Chevy Bolt winter range
Model or trim: 60 kWh battery
Observed range at -6.7 to -1 C: 66 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 98 per cent of original range
Chevy Volt winter range
Model or trim: 18.4 kWh battery
Observed range at -6.7 to -1 C: 69 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 100 per cent of original range
Ford Mustang Mach-E winter range
Model or trim: Premium AWD
Verified range at -6.7 to -1 C: 65 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 95 per cent of original range
Hyundai Kona Electric winter range
Observed range at -6.7 to -1 C: 93 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 112 per cent of original range
Jaguar I-PACE winter range
Observed range at -6.7 to -1 C: 97 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 100 per cent of original range
Nissan LEAF winter range
Model or trim: SL/SV Plus 62 kWh battery
Observed range at -6.7 to -1 C: 54 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 75 per cent of original range
Tesla Model 3 winter range
Model or trim: Long range
Observed range at -6.7 to -1 C: 44 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 62 per cent of original range
Tesla Model Y winter range
Model or trim: Long range AWD
Observed range at -6.7 to -1 C: 49 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 64 per cent of original range
Tesla Model S winter range
Model or trim: 75D
Observed range at -6.7 to -1 C: 45 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 63 per cent of original range
Tesla Model X winter range
Model or trim: 75D
Observed range at -6.7 to -1 C: 48 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 61 per cent of original range
VW e-Golf winter range
Model or trim: 36 kWh battery
Observed range at -6.7 to -1 C: 88 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 111 per cent of original range
VW ID.4 winter range
Model or trim: 82 kWh battery
Observed range at -6.7 to -1 C: 65 per cent of original range
Observed range at 21C: 95 per cent of original range
With files from The Canadian Press
Electric vehicles in winter: the 8 best EVs for winter driving
Electric vehicles in winter: the 8 best EVs for winter driving
All drivers have challenges during the cold Canadian winters. Most Canadians main concern during the winter is winter driving, especially when driving electric vehicles. EVs for winter driving consume more energy and have a shorter electric range in cold weather, but the most recent generation of electric vehicles is designed to withstand the harsh Canadian winters.
So what are the best EVs for winter driving? With the automotive market offering more and more electric vehicles, buyers have more options for the ideal electric vehicle for winter driving. If youre searching for an EV to get you from point A to point B in snow, sleet, and freezing conditions, here are the top all-electric vehicles that can handle severe winter road conditions for winter driving.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is a crossover version of the successful Model 3. It successfully applied Teslas cutting-edge design to the popular crossover SUV segment. This well-balanced, tech-savvy all-electric crossover also comes standard with AWD, making it a must-have EV for winter driving. It has strong acceleration and agile handling, although its suspension system is a little stiff.
The Tesla Model Y Long Range starts at $79,480; it is somewhat more expensive than its sedan sister, the Model 3, so carefully consider whether you need the extra capacity. You may choose the least expensive long-range model to get the best Model Y for cold weather.
Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV
When looking for a winter warrior, a Ford Mustang Mach-E may not be the first vehicle that comes to mind for winter driving. Despite sharing the Mustang name, the Mach-E is a four-door crossover with a luxurious interior and space for five people. It also has quick acceleration and agile handling and is available in a variety of dual-motor all-wheel-drive variants. Thanks to its twin motor traction control, traction on the snowy stuff are excellent, with little wheel spin. When decelerating down a snowy hill, the Mustangs regenerative braking helps it dig in. However, even in the sportiest mode, rear-end slides are difficult to manage.
Tesla Model 3
Its difficult to discuss EVs without mentioning the Tesla Model 3. The Model 3 is the first mainstream electric vehicle, and it has a longer range than most EVs on the market today.
The base Model 3 delivers an EPA-rated all-electric range of 438 km, and the Long Range version delivers 576 km, according to Tesla. The Model 3 seats five people in two rows. Outstanding crash test ratings, rapid acceleration, and agile handling are among its many advantages. The Model 3 base model has a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive powertrain with a range of 432 kilometers. To have all-wheel drive, you must select the dual-motor Long Range variant, while the Model 3 Performance is the only AWD choice, with a range of 506 kilometers.
ID.4 Volkswagen
Aside from its totally electric motor, the Volkswagen ID.4 fits right in with todays SUVs. The ID.4 offers a modern cabin, two rows of spacious seats, and a slew of safety and technology features. The ID.4 is comfortable, easy to drive, and capable of handling most daily tasks. Its upscale and comfortable, but its not as eye-catching or modern as some of its competitors. Similarly, the ID.4 isnt as athletic or entertaining as rivals from Tesla or Ford, but that could be a benefit in cold weather.
The Jaguar I-Pace
One of the best EVs for winter driving, Jaguars superb I-Pace SUV, like the Audi E-Tron, has a dual-motor, all-wheel drive system. For winter driving, the adjustable suspension can provide 7.8 inches of clearance. The two motors provide 394 horsepower and 512 pound-feet of torque, allowing the vehicle to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Its 90 kWh battery pack has a range of 376 kilometers and charges quickly owing to a new 11 kW onboard charger. Over-the-air upgrades are available for Jaguars Pivi Pro infotainment system, and new driver aid technology includes a 3D surround camera system.
BMW i4
The 2022 BMW i4 is an excellent winter-weather EV. The i4 uses a single electric motor at the rear axle to deliver 335 horsepower and up to 482 kilometers of range in its base configuration. The AWD M50 variant has 536 horsepower and can reach 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.
This BMW is well-built on the inside, but it isnt as modern as rival EVs. It has five seats, although the second row and trunk are somewhat small. A good set of safety features is standard, as are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the all-new 2023 BMW i4 lacks the cabin quality, seating, and baggage room offered in many electric competitors. It does have a powerful all-wheel-drive motor, compelling handling, and a decent electric driving range.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has quick acceleration, a large electric range, desirable driving dynamics, and one of the industrys longest warranties. As one of the ideal EVs for winter driving, it also offers a contemporary cabin with ample cargo space and seating for up to five people in two rows. The standard Hyundai Ioniq 5 has rear-wheel drive and either 168 or 225 horsepower, depending on the battery pack you select, with an EPA-estimated range of 432 kilometers. You can purchase an Ioniq 5 with even greater range, but youll have to settle for the single-motor rear-wheel-drive model, which wont be ideal in the snow.
Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 shares a platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, as well as powertrains; therefore, its range and horsepower figures are comparable. The EV6 has sportier looks and more athletic handling than the Ioniq 5, but it is undoubtedly more practical. The standard EV6 sports a 167-horsepower rear-wheel-drive system. Dual-motor all-wheel-drive variants produce 320 horsepower and have an EPA-estimated range of 440 kilometers. The base-model Kia EV6 is amazing, but for cold-weather cruising, youll want to upgrade to the dual-motor AWD model. At $61,995, the dual-motor compact crossover has 320 hp and 440 kilometers of range, allowing you to go almost anywhere in any weather.
Although cargo room is limited, this Kia SUV features a quality interior and two rows of comfortable seats. The Kia EV6 features a quality interior and two rows of comfortable seats. The EV6 charges faster than most competitors, which might be very useful in the cold. Kia also has one of the best factory warranties available. The EV6 is also an outstanding electric car for winter travel, thanks to one of the fastest charging systems on the market.
What are the best EVs for winter driving?
All of the options listed above are suitable for driving in cold weather, but any EV with all-wheel drive and a competent traction control system can be a terrific EV for winter driving.
Looking for the best EVs for winter driving? As always, Carnex can provide you with detailed information about buying and owning electric vehicles in Canada.
Carnex is the top online EV expert in Canada for buying and selling used EVs. Visit Carnax today and discover the best deals on EVs.
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