Winter weather can slash electric car range drastically

Cold weather can drastically reduce the range of electric cars, a recent test by Germany's respected ADAC motoring club has found.

The ADAC tested just how much power was lost during a simulated motorway journey from Munich to Berlin at 0 degrees Celsius. Only one of the 25 electric cars managed the journey without recharging.

In 18 of the e-models tested, the energy consumption values were 50% higher than the pledges in manufacturer's brochures. For the Volvo EC40, the MG4 and the Ford Capri, the deviations were 80% and more. The Nio ET5 has the lowest deviation at 10%, followed by the Porsche Taycan (23%) and Mercedes EQS (25%).

The Mercedes EQS was the only model to cover the entire distance without stopping to charge. The range of the Mercedes was 600 kilometres in the test, making it the best of all.

However, the EQS arrived with just 18 kilometres of range left in the battery after the test route of 582 kilometres. The ADAC report said most drivers would have recharged on the way so as to avoid the risk of being stranded without power.

Range figures of 500 to 700 kilometres for e-cars are no longer unusual but the range given in the brochure is measured in terms of the legal Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle and determined under "feel-good temperatures," the ADAC says.

The mixed driving style with a lot of city traffic which this reflects is only valid for the measured scenario.

Under other conditions, consumption and range can vary enormously. Especially at motorway speeds and in icy temperatures, electric cars consume more energy and range decreases.

For the laboratory simulation the route between Munich and Berlin on the A9 motorway was recorded during a real journey and imported into the test bench, including inclines, downward slopes and realistic traffic conditions.

This meant that all vehicles had to drive at exactly the same speeds, without the influence of changing traffic density, wind, weather or possible traffic jams.

The ADAC testers chose a maximum speed of 130 kilometres per hour, speed limits on the route were adhered to and there were no traffic jams. This resulted in an average speed of 111 km/h and a pure journey time of five hours and 15 minutes.

The Lucid Air and Porsche Taycan as well as five other electric cars would have managed the trip with one stop to take on electrons. Nine vehicles would have needed two stops and a further eight cars three stops in order to cross the finish line.