Frigid temperatures decrease EV, hybrid performance, AAA study finds
Remember the big chill of January 2024?
The one-two-three punch of high winds, arctic air and a snow-plosion generated myriad war stories from storm sufferers, including EV owners whose batteries conked out.
A new report from AAA goes beyond those anecdotes and digs into how electric vehicles and hybrids react to weather extremes.
“What we’ve found is that temperature changes directly affect how EVs and hybrids operate, which influences their efficiency, range and operating cost,” AAA spokesperson Molly Hart said.
“Cold weather in particular reduces EV efficiency and range. Heat can play a factor but it’s not as notable,” she explained.
AAA researchers used a baseline of 75 degrees, then tested how temperatures of 20 degrees and 95 degrees impacted the performance of the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y, plus hybrid vehicles Toyota Prius, Honda CR-V Hybrid and Hyundai Tucson.
Here are some major takeaways:
· When it’s a torrid 95 degrees, fuel efficiency/mpg for hybrids dipped by 12% compared to the baseline, AAA reported. EVs saw a 10.4% decline (using a miles per gallon equivalency measurement) and an 8.5% loss in driving range.
· At a chilly 20 degrees, fuel economy decreased by 22.8% for hybrids and by 35.6% for EVs, with a 39% drop in range.
· Winter also impacted consumers’ wallets. At 20 degrees, gas for hybrids rose by over $28 per 1,000 miles.
Meanwhile, charging at home costs EV owners about $32 more per 1,000 miles. That spiked to nearly $77 per 1,000 miles at public charging facilities.
The car-by-car survey produced some unexpected results.
When temperatures were 20 degrees, the Ford Mach E sports SUV outshone its EV rivals in terms of energy efficiency and range.
And in warm weather, the Chevy Equinox SUV performed the best.
In the hybrid stakes, Toyota’s Prius led for efficiency in winter conditions while the Hyundai Tucson SUV came out on top in hot weather.
AAA experts advise shoppers to plan for their EV using more energy and experiencing range reductions during extreme heat and cold.
Preventive strategies include preconditioning the cabin while vehicles are plugged in, keeping tire pressure at recommended levels and driving at moderate speeds.
Got a comment or question? Drop an email to mpyke@dailyherald.com.
One more thing
AAA’s study comes amid sky-high gas prices. In the suburbs, a gallon of regular is averaging nearly $5 in contrast with $3.43 a year ago.
In addition to the Iran war inflating fuel costs, other pressures include seasonal maintenance at refineries that hampers production, and switching to the more expensive summer gas blend, Hart explained.
Another factor is a boost in demand with the approaching Memorial Day long weekend signaling the start of summer road trip season, she noted.
AAA offers a mobile app showing the lowest gas prices in your area. It’s available on the App Store or Google Play.
Gridlock alert
So much road work, so little time. Here’s information on two big Illinois Department of Transportation projects kicking off May 18.
Crews will be patching and resurfacing Busse Road (Route 83) in Bensenville, plus adding ADA- compliant sidewalks. The project stretches from Bryn Mawr Avenue to Irving Park Road. Expect on-and-off daytime and nighttime lane closures.
It should all be over in early August.
Over in Huntley, IDOT workers will be repairing Route 47, which means intermittent lane closures. Construction will stretch from Kreutzer Road/Charles H. Sass Parkway to Jim Dhamer Drive/Freeman Road. The project wraps up in September.