EV's in Cold Weather

WNYBill · Mar 15, 2020

How much range or run time is lost with EV's in cold weather. At what temperature do they start losing power? Does the EV lose power or just range in cold weather? Is there a formula that shows the loss per degree below????? what temperature. How much longer does it take to charge the batteries when it is 20 degrees F? 0 degrees F?

IMHO: Until the environmentalists start backing nuclear power, cheap electrical power will not exist.

Bill

grizz02 · Mar 15, 2020

Determined · Mar 15, 2020

I came across this in an article;

"Tesla sent over its winter driving tips that acknowledge its cars will suffer from "increased range consumption" when it's cold out. Drivers certainly noticed the limited range in the negative temperatures. The Model X 100D normally has close to 290 miles of juice. In negative temps, one driver reported 120 miles listed as its range."

The electric heaters suck a huge amount out of the battery.

You need it to be warm enough to clear your windows.

Simple concept you can't see you can't drive.

Minus 40 outside with the wind howling hard to say how long it would take to get it warm enough to see.

What happens when you drive to work then the temperature drops during the day?
Maybe not enough juice to get home if you need to clear your windows?

K in Iowa · Mar 15, 2020

EV's operate most efficiently at about 70 degrees F. Batteries not only lose efficiency at cold temps, but also hot. In addition, when hot, the AC comes on.

Cold temps, as it has been said, means heater, defroster, etc., but also in the winter there is less sunlight and therefore you find yourself driving more at night. Headlights, although LED's, take some power as well, and cut range.

David G · Mar 15, 2020

My truck has backup electric heater to supplement cab heater until it gets warm. That works very well, I have warm air within about 30 seconds. I do not know how much it takes, but truck has 200 amp alternator. Without an alternator it would suck the batteries

gregww · Mar 15, 2020

(quoted from post at 08:15:53 03/15/20) I came across this in an article;

Minus 40 outside with the wind howling hard to say how long it would take to get it warm enough to see.

Who the ---- is going anywhere at -40? Not me.

Determined · Mar 15, 2020

(quoted from post at 11:04:27 03/15/20)

(quoted from post at 08:15:53 03/15/20) I came across this in an article;

Minus 40 outside with the wind howling hard to say how long it would take to get it warm enough to see.

Click to expand...

Who the ---- is going anywhere at -40? Not me.

Never a year goes by that we don't get a spell of it but the cows still need to be fed and other than a few exceptions it's just another day.

Helps if you dress for it and keep telling yourself;

No deadly snakes or reptiles that can kill you in the tall grass.

No hurricanes, tidal waves ...

Russ from MN · Mar 15, 2020

I would think most folks who use electric cars would keep them in a garage with a charging circuit, also most electric cars have a preheat or precool while it is plugged in, so it doesn't deplete the battery. Also, very few people live where it gets to -40! We were in International Falls MN this weekend and someone told me it only got down to -25 there this winter, and the Falls is famous for being cold! Let's face it, it doesn't get as cold as it used to, January was the warmest ever in recorded history, world wide!

Philip d · Mar 15, 2020

I live in Eastern Canada and I meet one on the road every day.

Ted in NE-OH · Mar 15, 2020

What range is lost in winter when you run the heater???

Russ from MN · Mar 15, 2020

Solar and wind is putting a coal plant out of business in North Dakota, and not because it's subsidized! Once it's up and running it relatively maintenance free.

Tony in SD · Mar 15, 2020

Greg
Not me either anymore but lots of emergency people go to work when it?s that cold.

David G · Mar 15, 2020

The idea that coal is cheaper is no longer valid, just a myth.

omahagreg · Mar 15, 2020

I work for Kohlls Pharmacy in Omaha Nebraska. We sell all sorts of interesting stuff for the handicapped. I started in late 2014 and they had just bought 4 'wheel chair' cars. They were all electric, just big enough to drive a wheel chair in from the rear and maybe went 30 mph! (Never looked practical to me!) As the weather cooled that winter, they figured out they did not work AT ALL below 30 degrees! Never sold a one and the company went bankrupt so we were stuck with these four cars! I offered to take one for free-I was wanting to make a small tractor puller out of it, but someone finally offered them alittle money so now at least they are gone!

Veronabob · Mar 16, 2020

Consumer Reports has done several articles on this subject. You might also Google the subject to find research done on the subject. From my reading, it seems to make little sense to own one in a cold climate. Just look how the cranking power of your battery drops at 0 degrees.

Blackhole49 · Mar 16, 2020

I'm curious what they used for a battery? My 48 volt electric truck with lead acid batteries will run all day in 20* weather. I do keep it in a shop heated to 45* year round.

Chris in SK · Mar 16, 2020

Life carries on as normal when its -40 here!

EV's in Cold Weather

WNYBill

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grizz02

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Determined

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K in Iowa

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David G

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gregww

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Determined

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Russ from MN

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Philip d

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Ted in NE-OH

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Russ from MN

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Tony in SD

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David G

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