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> The same is true for your EV. I don't think that's exactly true. -30F and below is cold enough to permanently damage the battery in an EV. Letting the electr

> The same is true for your EV. I don't think that's exactly true. -30F and below is cold enough to permanently damage the battery in an EV. Letting the electrolyte freeze just once will ruin your battery. It doesn't matter how many -40 days you get, you really do have to be prepared for them. Your ICE car may not start if it's that cold, but it will work like new once it's warmed back up. The solution is simple - just keep your EV plugged in, and it will heat itself as necessary. If you don't have a place to charge 24/7, probably don't get an EV in these climates.

bmicraft 4y ago
I'm pretty sure Teslas keep their batteries heated to above cell-freezing level even without them being plugged in. The expectation is that you would recharge it before the battery gets to low to continue heating.
- dahfizz 4y ago
  That's true, but my understanding is that the Tesla will only be able to keep itself warm for a day or two. So you need to charge the thing every day - really only practical with home charging.
grecy 4y ago
> Your ICE car may not start if it's that cold, but it will work like new once it's warmed back up. no, no it really won't. It's extremely common to tear CV boots past -40, and the wear and tear you do on the engine in the first few minutes (when the oil has the consistency of butter) is permanent. If you start your engine at -40 and it's not plugged in multiple ways, you're doing permanent damage. It's really funny to see all the Kias and Hyandais and other "cheap" brands in the Yukon - they last a winter or two before the engines grenade. Also if your starting battery freezes, it's finished. Hence a battery blanket. > The solution is simple - just keep your EV plugged in, and it will heat itself as necessary. It does not have to be plugged in to keep itself warm. Obviously if you let the battery drain that's a huge problem, so you just have to keep an eye on it for those "once or twice" a year days. Not at all unlike an ICE vehicle where if you let the starting battery freeze it's done for.

bmicraft 4y ago

I'm pretty sure Teslas keep their batteries heated to above cell-freezing level even without them being plugged in. The expectation is that you would recharge it before the battery gets to low to continue heating.

dahfizz 4y ago
That's true, but my understanding is that the Tesla will only be able to keep itself warm for a day or two. So you need to charge the thing every day - really only practical with home charging.

grecy 4y ago

> Your ICE car may not start if it's that cold, but it will work like new once it's warmed back up. no, no it really won't. It's extremely common to tear CV boots past -40, and the wear and tear you do on the engine in the first few minutes (when the oil has the consistency of butter) is permanent. If you start your engine at -40 and it's not plugged in multiple ways, you're doing permanent damage. It's really funny to see all the Kias and Hyandais and other "cheap" brands in the Yukon - they last a winter or two before the engines grenade. Also if your starting battery freezes, it's finished. Hence a battery blanket. > The solution is simple - just keep your EV plugged in, and it will heat itself as necessary. It does not have to be plugged in to keep itself warm. Obviously if you let the battery drain that's a huge problem, so you just have to keep an eye on it for those "once or twice" a year days. Not at all unlike an ICE vehicle where if you let the starting battery freeze it's done for.