Which Electric Cars Have the Best Range in Winter?

Electric Car Range in Cold Weather

With winter fully upon us in some parts of the country, many potential electric car owners are increasingly asking how well popular electric car models perform in colder temperatures and how much range they lose. Similar to gasoline cars, electric vehicles don't achieve the same full "tank" range of electrons in cold conditions as they do under ideal circumstances. EVs, however, tend to experience a more significant range reduction in winter due to their inherent efficiency.

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Unlike gasoline engines, which generate a lot of residual heat useful for cabin warming, electric cars need to actively heat the cabin with energy drawn directly from their batteries. According to a new study by Recurrent Auto, an industry data aggregator, some electric vehicles manage winter conditions better than others. The study found that some EVs could lose nearly half their range when temperatures drop below freezing.

How Do I Choose the Best EV for Winter?

If you're in the market for an electric car, there are a few key features to minimize range loss in cold weather. We have recently published a detailed article about finding the best EV for winter driving conditions. If you plan to regularly drive your EV in cold weather, look for the following features:

• Heat pump: Unlike resistive heaters, which use electricity to generate heat, heat pumps work by moving heat from both inside and outside the vehicle to boost its temperature. This could save up to 8 kW of consumption, significantly improving the vehicle's range.
• Heated seats and steering wheel: Heating your body directly instead of warming the cabin air is more efficient. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel can make you more comfortable while reducing the burden on the electric car's heating system.
• Pre-heating and pre-cooling: Pre-heating the vehicle before you drive off can save a lot of range. By programming the desired departure time, the EV heats the cabin while it's still plugged in, ensuring a warm car without depleting the battery on the go.
• Pre-conditioning: Batteries charge faster at their optimal operating temperature. Pre-conditioning warms up the battery before a charging session, reducing the time spent plugged in.

These features play a crucial role in the range an electric car can retain in freezing conditions. Here’s a closer look at Recurrent's findings, ranking EV performance in winter from worst to best.

Tesla Winter Range

Popular Tesla models scored the worst in terms of range retention in winter. The Model S and Model X saw more than half of their range diminish at 32 degrees Fahrenheit compared to their original EPA range estimates. The best-selling Model Y and Model 3 did not fare much better, with Model 3 achieving only half of its EPA range estimate at the same temperature.

• Tesla Model S: 45 percent of original EPA estimated range
• Tesla Model X: 48 percent of original EPA estimated range
• Tesla Model Y: 48 percent of original EPA estimated range
• Tesla Model 3: 50 percent of original EPA estimated range

Notably, Model S and Model X vehicles from the 2021 model year onwards include a heat pump, which significantly improved their winter performance. Although all Model Y versions come with a heat pump, they still failed to achieve high scores. However, Tesla models do offer the convenience of cabin pre-heating via the Tesla app while plugged in.

Nissan Leaf Winter Range

One of the original EVs on the market, the Nissan Leaf performed significantly better than any Tesla models according to Recurrent's data, retaining 62 percent of its EPA range estimate at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). Despite this, the Leaf lacks a heat pump, and Nissan advises against storing the Leaf below -13 degrees Fahrenheit for over a week, as the battery risks freezing.

Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning Winter Range

The Ford Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning did not excel in winter weather. The Mach-E retained 63 percent of its original EPA estimated range at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, while the Lightning fared slightly better at 64 percent. For winter towing, plan ahead as a trailer will further reduce the range.

These Fords have most features suitable for a winter EV, such as all-wheel drive, heated seats, and steering wheel. They even offer programmable departure times for pre-heating. However, the absence of a heat pump means relying on resistive heating, which drains more battery power as temperatures drop.

Volkswagen ID.4 Winter Range

The Volkswagen ID.4 crossover performed similarly to the Ford models, according to Recurrent's data. Although it features heated seats, steering wheel, pre-heating, and pre-conditioning, its lack of a heat pump hurt its cold-weather performance, achieving 65 percent of its EPA-estimated range at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The 2024 models of ID.4 promise increased range, which should help mitigate some of these issues.

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Chevrolet Bolt Winter Range

Known for its value, the Chevrolet Bolt packs a lot into a compact frame, including an impressive EPA-estimated range of over 250 miles. Unfortunately, the winter months see this range significantly drop; Recurrent reports the Bolt retains just 68 percent of its original EPA estimate at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The next-generation Bolt, set for release in 2025, is expected to perform better.

Audi E-Tron Winter Range

The Audi e-tron crossover, equipped with a standard heat pump, retains 80 percent of its original EPA estimated range in freezing temperatures, outperforming many other EVs. This luxurious Audi also features all the conveniences for winter driving, and the 2023 refresh, now sold as the Q8 e-tron, offers a larger battery and optimized software for even greater range and efficiency.

Hyundai Kona Winter Range

The Hyundai Kona is one of the top-performing EVs for winter range retention. Equipped with a heat pump, pre-conditioning, pre-heating, and heated seats, it offers a compact yet feature-rich package that retains 84 percent of its original EPA-estimated range. The 2024 Kona Electric, now available, is expected to perform even better.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Winter Range

The Hyundai Ioniq 5, a larger and more versatile crossover than the Kona, excels in winter performance. Built on a dedicated EV platform, it includes the latest technology such as a large battery, heat pump, and available all-wheel drive. The Ioniq 5 retains 97 percent of its original EPA-estimated range at freezing, better than many EVs in ideal conditions. Its ultra-fast charging and 800-volt architecture make it a highly recommended EV.

Jaguar i-Pace Winter Range

The Jaguar i-Pace, one of the original luxury electric crossovers, matches the Hyundai Ioniq 5 with winter range retention of 97 percent of its original EPA estimate at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The i-Pace combines aesthetics, speed, and all the features needed for a convenient winter driving experience.

Which EV Should I Buy for Winter Driving?

Recurrent Auto’s reports are based on real-life data from over 18,000 vehicles equipped with its software. They not only track how each vehicle performs against its EPA range estimates but also monitor dashboard readings at various temperatures. You can check their comprehensive study for more insights.

How it works: EV cabin heating without the energy drain

Hyundai and Kia’s heat pump technology debuted six years ago on the first-generation Kia Soul EV and has since been further developed for new EV models. This advanced heat pump captures significantly more energy by recycling waste heat from power electrics (PE) modules such as drive motors, on-board chargers, inverters, and even the battery pack and slow charger.

This system uses the heat generated by these components to vaporize refrigerant from liquid to gas. High-pressure gas is then compressed and forced into a condenser, converting it back into a liquid and generating additional heat which is recycled by the heat pump to warm the cabin.

This method improves HVAC system efficiency, reducing battery power consumption and optimizing electric driving range by decreasing the energy drain from the HVAC system.

Throughout years of testing, including severe cold weather conditions in Northern Sweden, where temperatures can drop to -35°C (-31°F), Hyundai and Kia have perfected this technology, ensuring the heat pump operates effectively even in the coldest environments.

Contact us to discuss your requirements for an Automotive Heat Pump. Our experienced sales team will help you identify the best options for your needs.