Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) frequently offer remote cabin conditioning, allowing drivers to enter warm vehicles. However, cold weather significantly affects their driving range. What can drivers expect in terms of range loss when temperatures drop?
Chinese media recently conducted extensive testing on a variety of popular vehicles, primarily focusing on Chinese models but also including several international brands.
The tests involved 45 widely-used vehicles driven at temperatures between 8-10°C (46-50°F) with maximum energy recovery and climate control set to 25°C (77°F) in economy mode. All vehicles were equipped with all-season tires and operated in eco-driving mode. Three testing scenarios were conducted: 30 km/h in the city (100 km distance), 60 km/h (100 km distance), and 100 km/h on the highway (153 km distance). While 8°C isn't extremely cold, it is sufficient to demonstrate differences in performance among manufacturers as temperatures drop.
The BMW i3 eDrive 35L performed exceptionally, retaining 80.5% (424 km) of its advertised range. Close behind were the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and the Nio ET5, achieving 79.7% and 79.0% retention, respectively.
Among the top 14 vehicles in the test, most retained between 70-80% of their advertised ranges. In contrast, the Volvo XC40 and Arcfox aS HI experienced the most significant declines, losing approximately 40% of their range.
| Model | kWh/100 km @ 30 km/h | kWh/100 km @ 60 km/h | kWh/100 km @ 100 km/h | Actual range | % of advertised range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW i3 eDrive 35L | 15.6 | 15.6 | 18.8 | 424 km (263 mi) | 80.5% |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | 17.4 | 20.5 | 25.0 | 392 km (244 mi) | 79.7% |
| Nio ET5 100 kW | 16.8 | 16.3 | 21.0 | 561 km (349 mi) | 79.0% |
| BMW iX3 | 18.3 | 17.5 | 21.5 | 422 km (262 mi) | 78.8% |
| Audi Q4 e-tron 40 | 14.7 | 18.1 | 23.2 | 470 km (292 mi) | 77.7% |
| Zeekr 001 4WD YOU | 20.2 | 18.5 | 23.8 | 485 km (301 mi) | 74.5% |
| IM L7 | 19.2 | 19.4 | 23.6 | 452 km (281 mi) | 73.5% |
| Rising Auto R7 | 19.3 | 18.9 | 24.4 | 437 km (272 mi) | 72.1% |
| Nissan Ariya 87kWh | 22.1 | 22.4 | 28.3 | 376 km (234 mi) | 70.5% |
| Polestar 2 LR FWD | 18.3 | 19.9 | 23.1 | 387 km (240 mi) | 68.3% |
| Maxus Mifa 9 | 23.5 | 23.0 | 30.3 | 357 km (222 mi) | 66.2% |
| Cadillac Lyriq RWD | 21.4 | 20.8 | 25.4 | 427 km (265 mi) | 65.4% |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge SR RWD | 19.0 | 19.7 | 24.7 | 331 km (206 mi) | 60.2% |
| Arcfox aS HI | 24.1 | 23.8 | 27.8 | 297 km (185 mi) | 59.3% |
Typically, there is a minimal difference in energy consumption when driving at 30 km/h vs. 60 km/h, as heating systems offset the increase in aerodynamic drag. However, cruising at 100 km/h places a considerable strain on the battery, with most vehicles consuming over 20 kWh/100 km, except for the BMW i3, which recorded an impressive 18.8 kWh/100 km.
For the PHEV and EV segment, approximately 70% of the advertised range is retained across the board.
| Model | Advertised battery range | Actual battery range | % of advertised range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geely Emgrand L Leishen Hi-P | 100 km (62 mi, NEDC) | 55 km (34 mi) | 54.6% |
| Changan Deepal SL03 | 200 km (124 mi, CLTC) | 136 km (85 mi) | 68.2% |
| Haval H6 | 110 km (68 mi, NEDC) | 73 km (45 mi) | 66.3% |
| BYD Song Plus | 110 km (68 mi, NEDC) | 94 km (58 mi) | 85.2% |
| Geely Monjaro Hi-P | 245 km (152 mi, CLTC) | 167 km (104 mi) | 68.3% |
| Wey Mocha | 175 km (109 mi, CLTC) | 149 km (93 mi) | 85% |
| AITO M5 | 170 km (106 mi, CLTC) | 133 km (83 mi) | 78.4% |
| Lynk & Co 09 | 190 km (118 mi, CLTC) | 140 km (87 mi) | 73.8% |
| AITO M7 | 200 km (124 mi, CLTC) | 125 km (78 mi) | 62.3% |
| Li L8 | 210 km (130 mi, CLTC) | 152 km (94 mi) | 72.2% |
| Li L9 | 215 km (134 mi, CLTC) | 153 km (95 mi) | 71% |
For further details, you can view the original video, which is in Chinese but includes English subtitles.
If your vehicle is not listed, we provide a handy tool that estimates real-world range in a variety of weather conditions (down to -30°C) and speeds. This tool also supports more models available in Western markets.
