Real reason electric vehicles drop miles in certain weather conditions revealed

It’s not uncommon for battery efficiency to decline dramatically in when the temperatures drop. But a new study reveals how many you actually lose on your electric when the mercury takes a tumble.

New research suggests that common electric vehicles' mileage can dip up to 30% to 40% during winter. , a well-known and trusted source for car buyers in the UK, providing expert reviews, comparison tests, and practical advice, recently conducted a range test on the efficiency of electric vehicles in different seasons.

The range test was done at a proving ground in Warwickshire and saw popular electric car models follow a simple test route of roughly 19 miles. It includes 2.7 miles of simulated stop-start urban driving, 5.5 miles at a steady 50mph, and 11 miles at a constant 70mph.

READ MORE:

To ensure accurate results, every car is first charged to 100% and then left in the open overnight for roughly 14 hours. During the summer tests, the vehicles are typically left at 15-21C; in winter, they tend to be at 0C-2C.

EV range differences revealed

The following day, before their test drive, every car is then recharged to 100%. While also going through tyre checks. The vehicles are set to an equal temperature with their headlights switched on. Then, each model is repeatedly driven around the test route until the battery runs completely flat.

The findings indicate that the most energy-efficient car is the 2023 Nissan Ariya, which experiences a 16.5% decrease in range during winter. In contrast, the least efficient is the 2022 Fiat 500, which shows a range difference of 40.4%.

The significant mileage difference stems from engines taking longer to warm up during the colder months. It also factored in increased use of interior heating, windscreen wipers, and lights, which also reduces the miles-per-gallon figures achieved in warmer months.

Electric cars generate significantly less waste heat than internal combustion engine vehicles. Petrol and diesel cars will capitalise on this by utilising the waste heat from the engine to warm the cabin when the heater is activated in petrol or diesel cars.

By comparison, the drivetrains in EVs are generally between 75 and 90 per cent more efficient, and the moving parts in the electric motors don't generate surplus heat. That means electric car drivers will have to rely on the vehicle's heating system to get warm when they drive, sapping power from the battery and reducing range.

Before investing in an electric car, consider where you will store the vehicle and which model and make are best for you.