Winter Showcases The Problems Of Electric Cars – Reducing Their Range

As the range of electric cars grows, the interest of consumers in them grows as well. And while electric cars undoubtedly have benefits, they also bring certain disadvantages as well.

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One of the disadvantages is the reduction of range in the cold winter weather. The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently showcased the results of their research that shows that the range of electric cars is reduced by up to 41 % in temperatures of just -7°C (19.4°F). This is not only caused by the batteries functioning worse in cold temperatures but for example also by heating, as cars with traditional engines use waste heat electric cars have to use energy from the batteries to produce warmth.

This obviously causes more stress to the batteries of the electric car, reducing the range and increasing the need for charging. Obviously, this isn’t a problem for warm areas of the world but for anyone who lives in places where the temperature drops to temperatures where water freezes this is quite a big problem.

On the other hand, people who live in areas that can get very hot face their own problems. And as you might guess, this time it is the AC that causes the isssues, but that decreases the range of cars with traditional engines as well. But for electric cars, the problem is much more severe as when the temperature rises above 35°C (95°F) the range of electric cars is lowered by 17 %.

AAA says that the producers of electric cars need to find a way of informing their consumers about the effects of both cold and warm weather. For example, they could tell them that they should start their heating or AC before they start driving, while the car is still connected to the charger.

Sources:

• https://newsroom.aaa.com/2019/02/cold-weather-reduces-electric-vehicle-range/
• https://www.aaa.com/AAA/common/AAR/files/AAA-Electric-Vehicle-Range-Testing-Report.pdf

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