Mexican Media Brands
AAA Shows EV-Range Reduction in Cold and Hot Weather
Operating an electric vehicle in cold weather can reduce driving range by more than 40%, according to AAA.
#hybrid
Share
Operating an electric vehicle in cold weather can reduce driving range by more than 40%, according to AAA.
The U.S. auto club tested five 2017 and 2018-model EVs (BMW i3, Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S 75D and Volkswagen e-Golf) on a dynamometer in a climate-controlled cell. All of the vehicles have an Environmental Protection Agency rating of at least 100 miles per charge.
During tests at 20°F without the heater turned on, the average driving range fell by 12% vs. baseline ranges when operating at 75°F. With the heater turned on, the range dropped by 41%, AAA says.
High temperatures also sapped ranges, but by far less than with cold weather. Ranges slipped an average of 4% when operating in 95°F weather without the use of air conditioning, and it fell 17% when the cabin was cooled.
The depleted range in cold weather with the heater on increases operating costs by more than $24 for every 1,000 miles, according to AAA. Costs jump about $8/1,000 miles with the air conditioning on at outside temperatures of 95°.
Operating in more extreme cold or heat would further reduce range, the authors note. They suggest heating or cooling the cabin while the vehicle is plugged into a charger to help counter the effects of the weather.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Aluminum Sheet for EV Battery Enclosure
As the number of electric vehicles (EVs) is about to increase almost exponentially, aluminum supplier Novelis is preparing to provide customers with protective solutions
-
Special Report: Toyota & Issues Electric
Although Toyota’s focus on hybrid powertrains at the seeming expense of the development of a portfolio of full battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for the market could cause some concern among those of an environmental orientation, in that Toyota doesn’t seem to be sufficiently supportive of the environment, in their estimation. Here’s something that could cause a reconsideration of that point of view.
-
On Fuel Cells, Battery Enclosures, and Lucid Air
A skateboard for fuel cells, building a better battery enclosure, what ADAS does, a big engine for boats, the curious case of lean production, what drivers think, and why Lucid is remarkable
