polar vortex leaves electric car owners out in the cold
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
polar vortex leaves electric car owners out in the cold
Here's an issue I wasn't aware of. Cold weather is bad for lithium batteries. Might have to rethink this EV thing.
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/05/tesl...ng-temps-.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/05/tesl...ng-temps-.html
#2
Lexus Test Driver
I feel like I've missed something here...
but yeah it's nothing new that batteries aren't as strong in really cold, before you can do ludicrous mode on the Tesla you even have to press a button that warms up the batteries for 10 minutes
but yeah it's nothing new that batteries aren't as strong in really cold, before you can do ludicrous mode on the Tesla you even have to press a button that warms up the batteries for 10 minutes
#3
Lexus Fanatic
You didn't miss anything the OP made a thread bashing BEVs without thinking about the fact that cold weather affects ICE cars even more. At -36 degrees a Tesla still drives no problem although some things are disabled like regen. A petrol burner at that temperature will be lucky to start and will get terrible gas mileage.
#4
Lexus Fanatic
You didn't miss anything the OP made a thread bashing BEVs without thinking about the fact that cold weather affects ICE cars even more. At -36 degrees a Tesla still drives no problem although some things are disabled like regen. A petrol burner at that temperature will be lucky to start and will get terrible gas mileage.
#5
Lexus Fanatic
#6
Lexus Fanatic
#7
Lexus Test Driver
You didn't miss anything the OP made a thread bashing BEVs without thinking about the fact that cold weather affects ICE cars even more. At -36 degrees a Tesla still drives no problem although some things are disabled like regen. A petrol burner at that temperature will be lucky to start and will get terrible gas mileage.
is saying cheese and rice actually a thing?
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#8
Super Moderator
You didn't miss anything the OP made a thread bashing BEVs without thinking about the fact that cold weather affects ICE cars even more. At -36 degrees a Tesla still drives no problem although some things are disabled like regen. A petrol burner at that temperature will be lucky to start and will get terrible gas mileage.
#9
Pole Position
#10
Lexus Fanatic
#11
Super Moderator
-35F ambient, -56F windchill. Q7 was getting 19-20 like it always does, X1 continued to average 23 (atrocious for a vehicle that size) like it did the entire time I had it. And that's despite significant warming time (for the human's benefit, not the car's) prior to setting off in both cases, which should drag down overall economy.
#12
Lexus Fanatic
-35F ambient, -56F windchill. Q7 was getting 19-20 like it always does, X1 continued to average 23 (atrocious for a vehicle that size) like it did the entire time I had it. And that's despite significant warming time (for the human's benefit, not the car's) prior to setting off in both cases, which should drag down overall economy.
BTW denser air becomes a factor at highway speed and basically negates any hp gains.
#13
Just out from AAA: "Cold weather can cut electric car range over 40%."
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/bu...ther/39020225/
And if I understood the desk clerk correctly when we visited Fairbanks last summer, modern ICE (ha!) cars do much better in very cold weather than in the past. 0-20W oils, computer controls, and all that.
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/bu...ther/39020225/
And if I understood the desk clerk correctly when we visited Fairbanks last summer, modern ICE (ha!) cars do much better in very cold weather than in the past. 0-20W oils, computer controls, and all that.
#14
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
from what i read in other articles, it's not about lithium batteries being 'less efficient' or whatever in the cold, it's that the HEATER goes on in the cold (for both the passengers, and apparently the battery cooling system - if liquid i guess to make sure it's not frozen?) and that uses a lot of battery power on most electric vehicles. in alex on autos review of the kona ev he mentioned that on the lower end trim levels they have electric heating elements which eat loads of battery, but on the high end trim level you get a heat pump which is MUCH more efficient. i'm sure at -35 a heat pump's pretty useless anyway, so i expect there's backup heating elements, just like in a home heat pump.
same in high temps... the a/c running chews up ev battery, especially on short trips, not so bad on long cruising trips.
same in high temps... the a/c running chews up ev battery, especially on short trips, not so bad on long cruising trips.
#15
Lexus Fanatic
Just out from AAA: "Cold weather can cut electric car range over 40%."
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/bu...ther/39020225/
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/bu...ther/39020225/
Fuel economy tests show that, in short-trip city driving, a conventional gasoline car's gas mileage is about 12% lower at 20°F than it would be at 77°F. It can drop as much as 22% for very short trips (3 to 4 miles). The effect on hybrids is worse. Their fuel economy can drop about 31% to 34% under these conditions.