Electric vehicles (EVs) often get a bad rap for losing range in cold climates, but a new study of Teslas shows that cooler regions may actually be better for an EV’s battery in the long run.
On Monday, Recurrent Auto shared the results of a study showing that Tesla vehicles owned and operated in cold climates have better average range than those in hot climates (via electrek). The study looked at over 12,500 Tesla vehicles in the US, using data that Recurrent has access to through its software.
While the study found this to be true across multiple Tesla models and model years, the results were most pronounced for the Model Y. In particular, Model Y units with the 2020 model year had an average range score of 95 in colder climates and 92 in warmer climates, as shown in the infographic below.
The researchers assigned range scores to the Teslas to capture how much range a particular EV was expected to have at the time of the study. For example, a Tesla with a range score of 90 would still have 90 per cent of its original range left. In addition, the study was conducted using the US Department of Energy’s “hot”, “cold” and “marine” climate designations.
As for why the study only included Teslas, Recurrent notes that they are the most common EVs available and have the most data. They also cite Tesla’s battery thermal management system, which they say offers great protection against environmental damage to the long-term health of the battery.
According to Recurrent, heat from the environment adds extra energy to an EV battery’s electrochemical reactions, accelerating unwanted chemical reactions that cause the battery to age. It also says that 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) is the generally accepted threshold for accelerated battery degradation.
While range loss can occur in colder climates due to energy consumption to keep the cabin warm, Recurrent says this is short term. Because it does not have the same electrochemical effect as heat on an EV battery, the battery’s range will recover as it warms up.
Recurrent provides more details on heat and long-term battery degradation here, and on the short-term effects of ambient heat here.
Despite the findings, there are a handful of things Tesla owners in warmer climates can do to protect the longevity of their batteries. For one, parking in the shade or in a garage can help prevent the battery from heating up as much. If you have to park in the sun, Recurrent recommends only charging to about half full, as the battery is a little more stable at that level.
Whether buying new or used, buyers may also want to consider newer lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which tend to be more resilient in hot climates. Anyone buying a used EV should consider how the vehicle has been stored and used during previous ownership.
Finally, the researchers strongly recommend owning a car with an active thermal management system, which owners should leave plugged in when not in use. According to Recurrent, this allows the vehicle to initiate battery cooling at lower temperatures than when it’s unplugged.
