Electric vehicles (EVs) have been gaining traction globally, but their performance during cold winter months continues to raise questions among consumers. Recent tests conducted under true winter conditions in China highlighted the effects of cold weather on EV range, particularly at temperatures dipping as low as -15°C. Following a previous model evaluation in milder conditions, this latest assessment involved over 40 models, including those from notable manufacturers such as Tesla and Mercedes, and showcased a marked decline in range.
In this comprehensive winter challenge, each vehicle was tested with climate control set to a comfortable 24°C while driving on rural roads at an average speed of 50 km/h, pushing all units until their batteries were depleted. The results are telling: average range retention fell to around 50%, with only a few models achieving closer to 60% of their advertised range. The BYD Han EV 4WD excelled with 60% retention, while Tesla’s Model Y lagged behind, retaining only 48% of its advertised range.
Performance Overview of Tested Models
| Model | Advertised Range | Actual Range | % of Advertised Range | Average kWh/100km Consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD Han AWD | 610km | 366km | 60% | 23.3 |
| BAIC ArcFox Alpha S | 500km | 293km | 58% | 25.4 |
| Nio ET7 100kWh | 675km | 376km | 55% | 25.4 |
| IM L7 | 615km | 328km | 53% | 28.3 |
| XPeng P5 | 600km | 323km | 53% | 22.1 |
| Tesla Model Y LR AWD | 660km | 319km | 48% | 24.6 |
Charging Challenges in Cold Weather
Charging efficiency also suffers significantly in cold conditions. In winter, EV batteries require optimal temperature ranges for effective charging. Consequently, additional power is consumed by systems managing battery temperatures, leading to a decrease in usable energy in charging. For example, while the BYD Seal achieved a full charge in just 69 minutes, the Tesla Model 3 required over 100 minutes to recharge fully, and often fell short of its 250kW charging peak due to the cold. The Toyota bZ4X performed poorly, further highlighting the struggle of some models in harsh weather.
| Model | Battery Capacity (kWh) | Time to Full Charge (min) | Average Charging Rate (kW) | Maximum Charging Rate (kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD Seal 4WD | 82.50 | 69 | 80.49 | 117.91 |
| Tesla Model 3 Performance | 78.40 | 101 | 29.97 | 97.29 |
As these findings indicate, while EVs offer many benefits, their performance in extreme cold conditions presents significant considerations for potential buyers, particularly regarding range and charging efficiency.
Source (in Chinese)
