We’ve seen an influx in consumers with electric vehicles in the last couple of years. That’s because electric vehicle purchases are at an all-time high in North America. With the increase in education around green transportation consumers are attracted to the promise of a reduced carbon footprint, making electric cars more appealing than ever.

There could, however, be a costly downside for electric vehicle drivers commuting in extreme cold. We caught up  to discuss the impact of cold weather on electric car batteries.

 

Extreme Temperatures Hit Electric Vehicles Extra Hard

With the increase of electric cars in the market, more research is being conducted on how these cars hold up in the cold. New research conducted by AAA points to the efficacy of electric car batteries and the results conclude that the range of these batteries is tied directly with the external temperature. Research shows that the optimal temperature to get the most out of your EV battery sits at around 21°C with battery power decreasing considerably as the temperature lowers. According AAA’s study, when temperatures drop below -7°C the average driving range of an electric car decreases by as much as 41%! For many motorists in Canada, this could cast some doubts about making an electric car purchase. When you add to this the fact that you’ll be making more trips to charge your drained battery, the cost can really start to add up.

 

 

In their study, AAA tested a range of electric vehicles on the market including the BMW i3, Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt, the Volkswagen e-Golf and the Tesla Model S. The test included a simulation that mimicked real-world driving, including extreme temperatures at both ends of the spectrum. The tests were conducted with and without the use of internal climate control systems, and then compared with normal driving conditions. The impact on the driving range was pretty consistent across all of the vehicles that were tested, proving the direct impact that cold temperatures have on electric car batteries.

If you are considering purchasing an electric vehicle, battery drain from frigid temperatures isn’t the only thing you need to worry about. As temperatures hit both ends of the spectrum, the use of air conditioning and heat will also increase your costs because they drain your car battery more quickly, too.

 

Electric Vehicles Continue to Improve

As the EV market develops, consumers continue to face the dilemma of whether or not these cars can work for their needs. This applies especially to regions that experience extreme temperatures. In many of these areas, car ownership is a necessity to get around, and needs to be reliable all year long. Electric vehicles are definitely the future, but those of us living in extreme cold must consider the wear and tear of the winter, and the associated maintenance and performance hurdles.

We’re still in the fledgling years of the electric vehicle market and many current drivers of EV are still considered to be early adopters. Electric vehicles promise to help reduce the carbon footprint left by commuters–and they’re doing just that. Like any other innovation, improvements in EV technology will continue to surface as the market becomes increasingly competitive.

Fortunately for consumers, more than ever, we have a seat at the table when it comes to how our favourite products are made. There’s no doubt that car manufacturers are paying close attention and making necessary changes to their upcoming electric vehicles.

How do I protect my EV battery in the winter?

Protecting your electric vehicle (EV) battery in winter is key to maintaining its performance, range, and longevity, as cold temperatures can slow battery chemistry, increase energy consumption, and affect charging efficiency. Here are practical steps to safeguard your EV battery during winter, based on established best practices:

1. Precondition the Battery and Cabin

• What to do: Use your EV’s preconditioning feature to warm the battery and cabin while the vehicle is plugged in. This draws power from the charger instead of the battery, preserving range.
• How to do it: Schedule preconditioning via the vehicle’s app or infotainment system (e.g., Tesla, Hyundai, Kia apps) for your departure time. Set the cabin to a moderate temperature (e.g., 68–72°F).
• Why it helps: A warm battery operates more efficiently, improves regenerative braking, and charges faster. Preconditioning can reduce range loss by up to 20–30%.
• Tip: If your EV supports it, enable battery preconditioning when navigating to a DC fast charger to optimize charging speed.

2. Park in a Garage or Sheltered Area

• What to do: Store your EV in a garage or under a carport when possible.
• Why it helps: Keeping the vehicle out of extreme cold (e.g., below 15°F) prevents the battery from getting too cold, which can reduce efficiency and capacity. Even an unheated garage is better than outdoor exposure.
• Tip: If outdoor parking is unavoidable, use a car cover to shield the vehicle from wind and snow.

3. Keep the Battery Charged Within the Optimal Range

• What to do: Maintain a charge level between 20% and 80–90% during winter.
• Why it helps: A higher charge level provides a buffer for cold-weather range loss (typically 10–40%) and prevents the battery from dropping to critically low levels, which can stress lithium-ion cells.
• Tip: Avoid letting the battery drop below 20%, as cold weather can accelerate discharge. Charge more frequently if needed.

4. Use Efficient Heating Options

• What to do: Rely on heated seats, steering wheel, and defrosters instead of the cabin heater whenever possible.
• Why it helps: Cabin heaters (especially resistive ones) can consume 3–6 kW of power, significantly reducing range. Heated seats and steering wheels use far less energy (50–200W).
• Tip: If your EV has a heat pump (e.g., Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 5), use it for more efficient heating, as it can cut energy use by 50% compared to resistive heaters.

5. Drive Efficiently

• What to do: Use ECO mode, minimize rapid acceleration, and maximize regenerative braking.
• Why it helps: Cold air is denser, increasing drag, and aggressive driving consumes more energy. ECO mode optimizes energy use, and regenerative braking recaptures energy to extend range.
• Tip: Reduce speed on highways (e.g., 55–60 mph instead of 70 mph) to conserve battery power, as range loss is more pronounced at higher speeds in cold weather.

6. Monitor Charging Practices

• What to do: Charge at a Level 2 (240V) charger when possible, and avoid frequent DC fast charging in extreme cold unless the battery is preconditioned.
• Why it helps: Cold batteries charge slower and may limit fast-charging speeds to protect cells. Level 2 charging is gentler and allows the battery to warm up naturally.
• Tip: Plug in your EV even when not charging to allow the battery management system to maintain optimal temperature. For long-term storage, keep the charge at ~50–60%.

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