Electric Vehicles Experience Reduced Performance in Cold Weather

As winter weather arrives across the U.S., some electric vehicle (EV) owners realise their cars do not perform as well in frigid temperatures.

This past week in Chicago, multiple Tesla drivers found their EV batteries had died amid below-zero cold, with some charging stations also not operating properly or taking longer to charge vehicles.

The reduced driving range and longer charging times demonstrate a known issue with EVs in cold weather. Chemical reactions within the batteries slow down, and EV cabin heaters rely on battery power rather than engine heat.

Still, EV winter woes can be prevented through simple steps like preheating your car's interior before driving and keeping charge levels above 20 per cent.

Lower Temperatures Slow Chemical Reactions, Draining Charge More Quickly