- Cars like the Tesla Model X, Model Y, and Audi e-tron performed better than average.
- Most of the best-performing EVs are equipped with heat pumps as standard.
- Outliers with heat pumps that performed poorly included the GM’s Equinox and Lyriq.
Anyone who owns an EV has probably noticed that cold weather isn’t exactly range-friendly. When temperatures drop, so does the distance you can travel on a charge. But just how much range do EVs lose when it’s freezing outside? A new study has put some hard numbers on it. On average, it found that EVs see a roughly 20% drop in range when the temperature hits 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius) or lower.
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By analyzing more than 18,000 vehicles across 20 popular models in the United States, Recurrent was able to determine how much range each EV typically loses in freezing conditions. The Tesla Model X performed the best, retaining 89% of its range, positioning it just ahead of the Tesla Model S at 88%.
Other strong contenders include the Audi e-tron and Tesla Model 3, both at 87%, followed by the Tesla Model Y at 86%. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Hyundai Kona also held up well, maintaining 85% and 84% of their ideal range, respectively.
Read: Tesla Shows Off Their Uniquely-Designed Heat Pump That Aids In Cold-Weather Efficiency
Interestingly, 11 of the 13 best-performing EVs in freezing conditions are equipped with heat pumps, while seven of the nine worst-performing models lack them. Heat pumps improve efficiency by transferring heat from outside air into the cabin using a refrigerant cycle, reducing reliance on less efficient resistance heaters. While many EVs offer heat pumps as standard, some still only include them as an option or don’t have them at all.
Two notable vehicles without heat pumps are the Rivian R1S and R1T. Despite lacking this handy feature, they held up reasonably well, retaining 83% and 81% of their range in freezing temperatures compared to ideal conditions.
The EVs That Struggle Most in the Cold
On the other end of the spectrum, some EVs took a much bigger hit in the cold. Among the worst performers were the Nissan Leaf (78%), Ford F-150 Lightning (74%), Chevrolet Bolt (69%), Ford Mustang Mach-E (66%), and VW ID.4 (64%). The Chevrolet Equinox (74%) and Cadillac Lyriq (72%) also performed poorly, despite both having heat pumps. Recurrent is digging into reasons why they’re performing worse than other heat pump-equipped EVs.
Overall, the study concluded that the average EV with a heat pump retains 83% of its range in freezing conditions, while the average EV without a heat pump is only good for 75% of its range. It was also determined that vehicles with lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries don’t perform noticeably worse than NCA alternatives when it’s freezing.
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