Why Extreme Weather Steals Your EV Range & How to Stop It
Imagine that on the first really cold day of winter, or on a hot day in the middle of summer, you get in your electric car, only to find that the dashboard shows a significantly lower estimated driving range. This comes as a surprise to many new electric car drivers, but your driving range adjusting to different weather conditions is an expected behavior for electric vehicles. Like with any other device, your EV's lithium-ion battery has an optimal operating temperature range. EVs work most optimally with ambient temperatures between 68°F and 77°F. When temperatures rise or fall outside this range, the EV's internal systems must work harder to keep the battery at a reasonable operating temperature. If your vehicle has trouble maintaining thermal equilibrium or has sudden drops in range during times other than changing seasons, it could indicate a systemic issue that needs vehicle electrical repair . Knowing how outside temperatures impact the powertrain of your vehicle is the f...