A new study from Recurrent – which provides electric vehicle (EV) battery health reports for owners, shoppers, and dealers – looked at real-world data from over 7,500 EVs in the US to understand the impact hot weather has on their performance. Recurrent’s study, “Summer & Hot Weather on Electric Car Range,” noted that EVs only lose about 2-5% of range in temperatures below 90F (32C), due to their robust thermal management technology. However, Recurrent found that EVs can lose 20-30% of total range in scorching weather, i.e., above 95F (35C).

Two important tips that can help mitigate battery range issues:

  • Don’t leave your EV battery at a low percentage of charge. Their thermal management systems require energy, reducing range.
  • Don’t let a car sit for weeks in the hot sun – instead park in the shade, if possible, especially in extreme heat.

NOTE: Air conditioning has less of a negative impact on EV range than a resistance heater, so cooling an EV’s cabin affects range less than heating it in cold weather.

The best ways to cool your EV. If you pre-cool your EV when plugged in, the A/C won’t affect your range as much. The most energy-intensive part of an AC is the initial cool down. Also: check air filters and hoses regularly; replace as needed.

Source: Electrek

Article by Black Car News

Black Car News provides breaking news, editorial, and information to drivers, owners, and other key players in the New York City for-hire vehicle industry.

See All Articles