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from CBC, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ev-cold-northern-bc-1.7082896 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ev-cold-nort...: ====
by canucker2016 3y ago
from CBC, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ev-cold-northern-bc-1.7082896 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ev-cold-nort...:
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In 2023, Seattle-based firm Recurrent measured range loss in EVs at temperatures between –7 C and –1 C, and found 18 popular models had an average of 70 per cent of their range in freezing conditions, though there was a wide discrepancy depending on the vehicle.
Starting with a full charge, Vejvoda's long-range 2020 Tesla Model 3 predicted he'd get to McBride with five to 10 per cent charge remaining.
Instead, he said, the vehicle did better than expected and had about 25 per cent when he reached the charging point.
He said the vehicle had about a 40- to 50-per-cent loss in efficiency.
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"That just goes to show that these cars have come a long way … but [this loss] would be the worst-case scenario," he said, adding he's only seen eight per cent loss during regular city use in –20 C weather.
"The highway is not where an EV shines to begin with … and it's going to have more trouble because of the air flow under the battery being so cold."
Rowell says it's important to note gas vehicles also lose efficiency in cold weather as frigid temperatures can affect fuel economy.
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- NoPicklez 3y agoCould the "better than expected" aspect be partially because once the car is travelling there is heat generated within the bottom of the vehicle from both the engines and the battery use. Presumably that may warm up the area to a higher temperature.