Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly popular, but cold weather can significantly impact their performance, particularly driving range. In low temperatures, EVs may experience increased energy consumption due to battery heating and cabin climate control, leading to reduced range. However, some models are better equipped to handle winter conditions, maintaining a higher percentage of their range even in the cold. Tesla is certainly not one of those. The bests performing EVs in cold weather conditions are the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and my preferred choice, the Jaguar i-Pace.
So, what are the best EVs for winter driving?
Tesla Winter range
Popular Tesla models scored the worst in terms of range retention in the winter. The company’s earliest models, the Model S sedan and the Model X large crossover, lost more than half of their range at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to their original EPA range estimates. The best-selling Model Y crossover didn’t fare any better, while the Model 3 sedan achieved just half of its EPA range estimate at 32 degrees.
- Tesla Model S: 45 percent of original EPA estimated range
- Tesla Model X: 48 percent of original EPA estimated range
- Tesla Model Y: 48 percent of original EPA estimated range
- Tesla Model 3: 50 percent of original EPA estimated range
Nissan Leaf Winter Range
One of the original EVs on the market, the Nissan Leaf performed significantly better, according to Reccurent’s data, than any of the Tesla models, through it still lost over a third of its range at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). On average, Leafs retained 62 percent of their EPA range estimate.
Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning Winter Range
Both the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Ford F-150 Lightning were not stellar performers in winter weather. The Mach-E achieved 63 percent of its original EPA estimated range at 32 Fahrenheit, while the Lightning did slightly better, at 64 percent.
Volkswagen ID.4 Winter Range
The popular Volkswagen ID.4 crossover didn’t fare much better than the two popular Ford models, according to the data from Recurrent. At 32 degrees, you can expect the ID.4 to achieve 65 percent of its EPA-estimated range.
Chevrolet Bolt Winter Range
The Bolt has a spacious interior, plenty of tech, good handling, and impressive EPA-estimated range – over 250 miles is amazing for such a compact package. However, in the winter, it doesn’t fare so well; Recurrent says that the Bolt will achieve just 68 percent of its original EPA estimate at 32 degrees.
Audi E-Tron Winter Range
To see the effect that a standard-fit heat pump has, just look at the results for the Audi e-tron crossover, which retains 80 percent of its original EPA estimated range in freezing temperatures, way better than the best non-heat pump vehicle.
Hyundai Kona Winter Range
The Hyundai Kona is one of the best-performing EVs on the market in terms of range retention in the winter and one that preserves 84 percent of its original EPA-estimated range.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Winter Range
With its ultra-long wheelbase, large battery, heat pump, available all-wheel drive, heated seats and wheel, and all of the pre-programmability you could want, the Ioniq 5 retains an amazing 97 percent of its original EPA-estimated range at freezing, which is better than many EVs perform in ideal conditions. That, plus its ultra-fast charging and 800-volt architecture, makes it one of our favorites, and most-recommended EVs.
Jaguar i-Pace Winter Range
Tied for first place with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the Jaguar i-Pace – one of the original, and still best-performing luxury electric crossovers. The i-Pace is beautiful, it’s fast, and it has all of the heated goodies as well as pre-conditioning and pre-heating functions to make life more convenient. It too retains 97 percent of its original EPA range estimate at 32 degrees.
When selecting an EV for winter driving, consider features like heat pumps, battery preconditioning, and AWD systems, as they can significantly improve cold-weather performance. Additionally, adopting practices such as preconditioning the cabin while the vehicle is still plugged in, using seat and steering wheel heaters instead of cabin heat, and planning charging stops in advance can help maximize your EV's range during the winter months.
By choosing an EV with strong cold-weather capabilities and following best practices for winter driving, you can enjoy efficient and reliable performance even in harsh conditions.
J. Michael Dennis
About J. Michael Dennis
Michael Dennis is a highly accomplished professional with a distinguished academic background and extensive expertise in Commercial and Business Law, Public Affairs, and Corporate Communications. A graduate of Ottawa University, he specialized in Commercial and Business Law, with a focus on institutional regulatory compliance, corporate and public officers' liability, collective agreement negotiations, and the impact of corporate fiscal legislation on business decision-making processes.
Following the Union Carbide Bhopal disaster in December 1984, J. Michael Dennis expanded his expertise into public affairs and corporate communications. Over the years, he has provided consulting services in personal, business, and organizational planning, change and knowledge management, operational efficiency, and conflict resolution. His ability to navigate complex challenges and deliver strategic solutions has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor in both the private and public sectors.
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