Cold Weather Could Cut Your Tesla’s Range by Over 75 miles—Here’s What You Need to Know

As winter temperatures drop, electric vehicle (EV) owners notice a significant reduction in their driving range, with some vehicles showing a discrepancy of more than 100 kilometers (75 miles) compared to the range displayed on the dashboard. A recent South Korea Consumer Agency study has highlighted this issue, particularly among top EV brands, including Tesla, Hyundai, and Kia.

The agency’s test involved driving fully charged electric vehicles in temperatures as low as -1°C (30°F), compared to driving at around 18°C (64°F) in more typical conditions. The results were striking: for the Tesla Model 3, the actual range was up to 120 km (75 miles) shorter than what was shown on the dashboard. In contrast, Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and Kia’s EV6 showed less significant differences, with the Ioniq 5’s range differing by 35 km (22 miles) and the EV6 by 22 km (14 miles) in the cold.

When tested at room temperature, the Ioniq 5 and EV6 range discrepancy diminished significantly, aligning more closely with manufacturer estimates. However, the Model 3 still showed a difference of about 30 km (19 miles) despite the warmer conditions.

The Impact of Cold Weather on EV Batteries

Cold weather affects the performance of electric vehicle batteries, which are more sensitive to temperature changes than their internal combustion counterparts. As temperatures drop, the electrolyte in the battery can solidify, reducing the battery’s efficiency. Additionally, the increased use of interior heating systems in cold weather demands more energy from the battery, further impacting the driving range.

An official from the South Korea Consumer Agency advised that consumers should not rely solely on the vehicle’s range display when driving long distances in winter. Instead, it’s crucial to plan by checking the locations of charging stations and considering the impact of cold on battery performance.

Managing EV Battery Health in Winter

Proper battery management during winter is essential for maximizing efficiency and lifespan. POSCO, a global steel producer, recommends parking EVs in indoor or underground spaces to help maintain an optimal battery temperature and reduce energy consumption caused by excessive heater use. Also, avoiding rapid charging is important, especially when the battery is below 20%. Charging slowly once a month to 100% helps balance the cells in the battery pack, ensuring longer-lasting performance.

Maximizing Efficiency with Heating Systems

A heat pump is recommended when heating the interior of an electric vehicle. In the case of internal combustion engine vehicles, the heat energy wasted from the engine is used for heating. Still, EVs do not generate enough waste heat to operate the heater, so the heater is powered by battery power. Therefore, using a heat pump system that utilizes waste heat generated from parts such as the electric motor in the electric vehicle to heat the interior of the electric vehicle allows for more efficient battery management. As a bonus, the driving distance increases due to reduced power consumption.

In addition, you should actively utilize battery heating systems, heated seats, and heated steering wheels. Besides battery efficiency, air pressure can decrease in winter, so you should check the air pressure periodically. In addition, since calcium chloride spreads on the road due to snow removal work and can stick to the vehicle, there is a possibility of corrosion, so you should thoroughly wash the underbody periodically.