Electric vehicle (EV) drivers are encountering challenges with charging their cars amid the current Arctic blast affecting a significant portion of the United States. As freezing temperatures slow down the charging process, EV owners are discovering that winter weather significantly diminishes their vehicle’s driving range.
Reports of lengthy queues and charging difficulties have surfaced in cold-affected areas such as Chicago. Tesla driver Brandon Welbourne shared his experience with CBS News Chicago, stating that what should have been a 45-minute charge ended up taking two hours, with a total wait time exceeding five hours.
The impact of cold weather on EV efficiency is due to the increased energy needed for both vehicle operation and cabin heating, resulting in a reduced driving range. An analysis by Recurrent, an analysis firm, found that, on average, the range of 18 popular EV models dropped to around 70% in freezing conditions.
To navigate these challenges, EV owners in colder climates are advised to adapt their driving and charging routines during winter. Some manufacturers have incorporated heat pump technology to mitigate the effects of cold weather.
Recurrent offers the following tips for EV drivers dealing with freezing conditions:
- Warm up the car while it’s charging.
- Utilize seat warmers, a heated steering wheel, and minimize the car heater while driving to save battery life.
- Anticipate longer charge times due to reduced charging voltage in cold batteries.
- Keep the vehicle plugged in with a maximum charge setting of 70% or 80% when feasible.
As an Arctic outbreak affects a vast portion of the U.S., with wind chill advisories for approximately 90 million people, EV users are urged to follow these guidelines to enhance their winter driving experience. Tesla, in its “Cold Weather Best Practices,” also suggests thawing frozen charge port latches and planning charging stops well in advance to optimize battery temperature.
