How much range does an electric car lose in winter?

When we are looking for a electric car As our next vehicle, there are many factors to consider. Design, power, equipment, price. But in this case we also add consumption and range as key aspects. Something that we must also add is the impact that low temperatures have on it. Now an extensive study shows us which cars suffer more and which less when temperatures drop in winter.

The drop in temperatures has a major effect on the range of electric cars. On the one hand increases the consumption of indoor air conditioning, which drains energy. It also means that the battery has to make a greater effort to maintain its ideal temperature, causing the cooling system to work more intensely. The result, higher consumption and therefore less range.

But this does not affect all vehicles equally. To find out more about reality, the British comparator portal What Car? has carried out a series of tests during the winter months with a very varied group of electric cars, to find out how much range they lose when the thermometers drop at this time of year.

How much range does an electric car lose in winter?

The 24-kilometre route that has simulated real driving conditions, with 4 km of stop-and-go urban driving, 6.4 km at a constant speed of 80 km/h, and 13 km at a constant speed of 112 km/h.

In total there have been 12 electric cars that have participated in this study, where it has been verified that the worst placed has been a Chinese model, the ORA Funky Cat, which has seen how its final figure has been 32.8% less range approved under the WLTP cycle.

The Asian compact has seen how the official figures, 310 km range they stayed in 209 real kilometers. The largest decrease of the entire comparison.

The second classified has not been very far, the Renault Megane E-tech Electric. The French model has also suffered an intense loss of its range, remaining 32.1% below the approved figures.

In third position has been placed the Cupra Borngoing from 410 km WLTP to 293 km, a difference of 28.7%, while the MG 4 has been placed in the fourth. Another Chinese model that has seen like in winter its official range of 435 kilometers has dropped to 315 kilometers, or 27.6% less.

On the other side of the scale are those that have made the least difference with respect to the official figures, and in first position has been placed the nissan ariya, 87 kWh version. The Japanese crossover has managed to complete 432 kilometers in real conditions, or 16.4% less than the 518 km approved.

Just behind the Ariya, we find the Tesla Model Y Long Range. The American model has managed to travel 437 kilometers, or 17.8% less than the official 533 km.

According to those responsible for the test: «More and more people are considering buying an electric car, and it is important that they understand the pros and cons of this technology, especially in terms of actual range in different conditions..”

A test that is designed to offer customers a clearer and more realistic picture of the range possibilities of electric cars when temperatures drop, and efficiency suffers, with the consequent temporary loss of range.

How much range does an electric car lose in winter? Summary