Winter loss for electric cars: How to fight the cold!

Electric cars have to sweat vigorously in winter: the challenging cold conditions ensure a dramatic increase in energy consumption. In frosty temperatures, the vehicle not only has to heat the drive, but also the interior, which leads to reach losses. According to a report by Krone+, many electric car owners complain about the limited range, which can drop up to 40 percent at temperatures below freezing. Models such as the Renault Kangoo E-Tech Electric and the VW ID. 5, which need more than 100 percent more energy in cold weather, are particularly affected. Even popular cars such as the BYD Atto 3 and the Dacia Spring are not entirely immune from increased consumption, but they show somewhat better efficiency.

The critical challenge is that the batteries do not optimally perform in the event of cold. The ideal temperature range for electrochemistry is between 20 and 40 degrees Celsius, and to achieve this temperature, a significant amount of energy is required. This is also emphasized by the ADAC , which tested the multiple customs of selected electric vehicles. The results show a significant increase in consumption - it can be up to 107 percent on short lines! When driving under winter conditions, the warm interior climate requires a high level of power consumption, which can be a challenge, especially for commuters.

range losses due to cold

Despite the technical hurdles, there are measures that can be used to optimize the range of electric vehicles in winter. Preheating the vehicle, while it is connected to the power grid, is an effective trick to maintain the range. The ADAC emphasizes that vehicles use relatively little energy in cold weather in cold weather, which is particularly advantageous at longer traffic jams. In the test it was found that an electric car withdraws two to twelve hours at winter temperatures in the stand with the heating switched on without excessive loading the battery. These findings are crucial for drivers who rely on their electric cars during the cold months.