Lessons from cold weather EV experience

With the growth of electric vehicles in recent years, their cold weather performance has been more accurately tracked as more data becomes available.

Finn Partners gathered the data. It noted that every winter, electric vehicles (EVs) face a unique challenge: Maintaining efficiency and reliability in freezing temperatures. While the drop in battery performance during cold weather is well-documented, recent insights reveal that EV drivers are equally worried about the reliability of charging infrastructure.

Cold weather’s impact on EV performance

Freezing temperatures slow the chemical reactions in lithium-ion batteries, reducing efficiency and range. A study by Recurrent, analyzing data from over 10,000 EVs, found that driving range can decrease by up to 37 per cent in sub-zero conditions compared to optimal weather. These limitations exacerbate “charge anxiety” as drivers struggle to plan trips around diminished range and longer charging times.

But cold weather isn’t the only concern. Drivers also face hurdles with existing EV charging infrastructure, including charger availability, hardware failures and compatibility issues. These factors contribute to a heightened sense of uncertainty, particularly during winter months.

There is a challenge with reliability. According to a Harvard Business School study, EV charging stations have an average reliability score of 78 per cent, meaning nearly a quarter are out of service at any given time. For drivers navigating winter conditions, this unreliability compounds the already stressful task of finding a functional charging station.

Tips for EV drivers in winter

While improvements are underway, EV drivers can adopt best practices to mitigate the challenges of winter driving:

1. Precondition Your EV While Charging: Warm up the vehicle while it’s still plugged in to save battery power for driving.
2. Plan for Longer Charging Times: Cold weather slows charging speeds, so factor extra time into your plans.
3. Monitor Range Closely: With reduced range in winter, proactive planning for charging stops is essential.

One key takeaway noted: Reliable charging infrastructure is as critical as range for EV drivers.