FYI: Electric vehicles (EVs) with heat pumps demonstrate greater resilience in maintaining real-world range during winter, offering a practical solution to mitigate cold-weather efficiency loss.
How Heat Pumps Impact EV Performance in Cold Weather
Cold weather presents unique challenges to all vehicles, affecting their overall efficiency. For traditional combustion vehicles, colder air and thicker fluids result in higher fuel consumption due to increased friction and air density. Electric vehicles (EVs), however, face a distinct set of challenges, principally due to the need for heating the cabin without the residual waste heat available in internal combustion engine cars.
In frigid conditions, more energy needs to be drawn from a high-voltage battery to warm the interior, exacerbating range loss. While chemical reactions in batteries naturally slow in the cold, leading to longer charging times and decreased power output, a heat pump can play an essential role in preserving EV range.
Performance Insights from Recurrent’s Study
Recurrent, a startup focused on analyzing EV performance, conducted a study examining over 18,000 electric vehicles in the United States. The findings highlight the advantage of heat pumps in EVs, which, on average, retain 83% of their real-world range at freezing temperatures (32°F or 0°C), compared to 75% in vehicles without heat pumps.
A heat pump functions like an air conditioner in reverse, moving heat from outside into the vehicle using refrigerants and compression. This process is more efficient than conventional resistance heaters, which is reflected in the performance of various EV models:
- Tesla Model X and Tesla Model S with heat pumps maintain 89% and 88% of their range, respectively.
- EVs like the Audi e-tron and Hyundai Ioniq 5 also benefit, retaining 87% and 85% of their range.
- Interestingly, certain EVs without a heat pump, such as the Rivian R1S, still perform well, keeping 83% of their range.
The Volkswagen ID.4 Case Study
According to Recurrent, the Volkswagen ID.4, lacking a heat pump, loses 37% of its range in cold conditions, the most significant drop among popular models. The ID.4’s heat pump was once available to Canadian consumers, but this feature has since been discontinued.
Maximizing EV Range in Winter
To optimize EV performance during cold weather, experts recommend pre-heating the vehicle while it’s connected to a charger. This approach conserves battery energy by utilizing the electrical grid for heating. Additionally, moderating cabin temperature settings and leveraging seat warmers can further preserve battery life.
Conclusion
EV range can be significantly affected by cold temperatures, but strategies exist to mitigate this impact. Incorporating a heat pump provides a notable advantage. As EVs become more mainstream, it is imperative for drivers to be well-informed about winter driving techniques to maximize their vehicle’s efficiency.
For further insights and updates on EV technology and winter tips, please contact us at tips@automotive.fyi, or reach out on Twitter @automotivefyi.
William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
