Photo Credit: AAA
BOSTON – As much of the country continues to endure freezing temperatures, electric vehicle owners may experience a sizable decrease in driving range.
AAA says new research found that extreme temperatures play a role in diminishing the driving range of electric vehicles. The research revealed that this is especially true when the vehicle’s heating, ventilation and air condition system is used in these conditions – particularly to heat the vehicle in cold temperatures.
“I think this is an interesting piece of research and an interesting report,” said AAA Northeast Director of Public and Legislative Affairs Mary Maguire.
“Basically, AAA Northeast wants drivers of electric vehicles in extreme cold or in extreme heat to know that those extremes or variations in temperatures can have an impact on the charging power of your electric vehicle.”
AAA found that the average driving range of electric vehicles decreases by 41-percent when temperatures dip to 20°F or lower and the HVAC system is used to heat the inside of the vehicle.
This means for every 100 miles of combined urban and highway driving, the range at 20°F would be reduced to just 59 miles.
Cold weather is not the only factor that can influence driving range. AAA’s research also found that when outside temperatures heat up to 95°F or higher and air-conditioning is used inside the vehicle, driving range decreases by 17-percent.
Additionally, an electric vehicle with a compromised driving range will require charging more often, which increases the cost to operate the vehicle.
For instance, AAA’s study found that the use of heat when it’s 20°F outside adds almost $25 more for every 1,000 miles when compared to the cost of combined urban and highway driving at 75°F.
AAA tested five electric vehicles, all with a minimum EPA estimated driving range of 100 miles, in partnership with the Automotive Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center. Real-world driving conditions were simulated using a dynamometer, essentially a treadmill for cars, in a closed testing cell where ambient temperature could be closely controlled.
AAA urges electric vehicle owners to be aware of the reduction in range and to charge more often to minimize the chance of being stranded by a dead battery.
“We’re looking to just make drivers of electric vehicles aware that the weather, whether it’s extremely cold or extremely hot, can have an impact on the charging power and the range of your vehicle’s travel,” Maguire said.
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center
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