Real-World Testing Reveals EV Range Challenges in Sub-Zero Temperatures

As electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity, understanding their performance in extreme conditions becomes crucial. A recent winter test conducted in China has shed light on how varying temperatures, particularly sub-zero conditions, impact EV range. Following a previous test in milder winter weather between 8-10 °C, this latest trial focused on true winter conditions, ranging from -10 °C to -15 °C. The results reveal significant reductions in range for most models, highlighting the challenges that cold weather poses for EVs.

In this test, over 40 EV models were rigorously evaluated while using climate control set to a comfortable 24 °C. The drivers maintained a steady average speed of approximately 50 km/h until the vehicles ran out of charge. The findings indicate a stark range reduction across various models, with only a handful managing to retain a significant percentage of their advertised range.

The results demonstrated an average retention rate of about 50%. The standout performer was the BYD Han EV 4WD, retaining an impressive 60% of its claimed range. Another strong contender was the Nio ET7 100kWh, which secured third place with a 55% retention rate. In contrast, Tesla's Model Y struggled, achieving only 48% of its advertised range, illustrating the varying performance levels among even the most popular brands.

Model	Advertised Range	Actual Range	% of Advertised Range	Average kWh/100km Consumption
BYD Han AWD	610km	366km	60%	23.3
BAIC ArcFox Alpha S	500km	293km	58%	25.4
Nio ET7 100kWh	675km	376km	55%	25.4
IM L7	615km	328km	53%	28.3
XPeng P5	600km	323km	53%	22.1
BYD Yuan Plus	510km	272km	53%	22.2
BYD Seal 4WD	650km	341km	52%	23.3
Nio ES7 100kWh	575km	302km	52%	33.2
Smart #1 Brabus	500km	260km	52%	25.4
Leap C11	550km	284km	51%	31.7
BYD Dolphin	401km	208km	51%	21.6
Zeekr 001 YOU	650km	327km	50%	30.6
Leap C01	630km	316km	50%	28.5
GAC Aion S	602km	302km	50%	23.1
XPeng G9 Performance	650km	323km	49%	30.3
Nio ET5 100kWh	640km	312km	49%	32.1
Tesla Model Y LR AWD	660km	319km	48%	24.6
XPeng P7	562km	270km	48%	30.0
Hozon Neta S	650km	310km	47%	29.4
GWM ORA Lighting Cat	600km	285km	47%	29.3

Regarding overall range, the Nio ET7 100kWh emerged as the top performer with 376km, followed closely by the BYD Han AWD at 366km. The prominent Mercedes-Benz EQE finished in fourth place with 331km, largely due to its sizable battery, despite having only a 46% retention rate. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 Performance lagged with ranges of 319km and 312km, respectively, before depleting their batteries.

Model	Advertised Range	Actual Range	% of Advertised Range	Average kWh/100km Consumption
Nio ET7 100kWh	675km	376km	55%	25.4
BYD Han AWD	610km	366km	60%	23.3
BYD Seal 4WD	650km	341km	52%	23.3
Mercedes-Benz EQE	717km	331km	46%	29.0
IM L7	615km	328km	53%	28.3
Zeekr 001 YOU	650km	327km	50%	30.6
XPeng G9 Performance	650km	323km	49%	30.3
XPeng P5	600km	323km	53%	22.1
Tesla Model Y LR AWD	660km	319km	48%	24.6
Leap C01	630km	316km	50%	28.5
Tesla Model 3 Performance	675km	312km	46%	25.1
Nio ET5 100kWh	640km	312km	49%	32.1
Hozon Neta S	650km	310km	47%	29.4
GAC Aion S	602km	302km	50%	23.1
Nio ES7 100kWh	575km	302km	52%	33.2
BAIC ArcFox Alpha S	500km	293km	58%	25.4
GWM ORA Lighting Cat	600km	285km	47%	29.3
Leap C11	550km	284km	51%	31.7
BYD Yuan Plus	510km	272km	53%	22.2
XPeng P7	562km	270km	48%	30.0

In addition to range loss, the test also highlighted significant challenges with EV charging in cold temperatures. Batteries require optimal operating conditions for efficient charging, which means extra energy is consumed by the heating systems, leading to longer charging times. While the BYD Seal managed to complete a full charge in a commendable 69 minutes, the Tesla Model 3 took over 100 minutes and struggled to approach its peak charging rate. The Toyota bZ4X performed particularly poorly, showcasing how winter conditions can drastically affect charging efficiency.

Model	Battery Capacity in kWh	Time to Full Charge in Minutes	Average Charging Rate in kW	Maximum Charging Rate in kW
BYD Seal 4WD	82.50	69	80.49	117.91
Changan Deepal SL03	58.10	69	49.60	84.52
BYD Yuan Plus	60.48	76	50.59	73.78
BYD Dolphin	44.90	77	39.45	66.63
BYD Han AWD	85.40	80	68.87	94.64
Nissan Ariya	90.00	81	65.58	77.23
Leap C11	89.97	82	63.92	105.50
Mercedes-Benz EQE	96.10	83	68.10	91.61
Nio ET7 100kWh	100.00	87	64.64	92.29
Nio ET5 100kWh	100.00	88	65.50	87.42
GAC Aion S	69.90	90	44.59	67.91
Leap C01	90.00	93	63.06	105.89
Tesla Model Y LR AWD	78.40	93	55.55	97.29
Geometry E	39.40	94	22.31	34.74
GWM ORA Lighting Cat	83.49	95	51.25	88.66
Zeekr 001 YOU	100.00	96	61.04	108.87
Nio ES7	100.00	96	59.14	68.08
Tesla Model 3 Performance	78.40	101	29.97	97.29
XPeng G9	98	103	62.11	86.20
XPeng P5	71.40	112	39.97	64.58
Hozon Neta S	91.00	117	48.07	56.45
XPeng P7	80.90	120	36.17	46.71
BAIC ArcFox Alpha S	74.59	183	27.28	60.63
Smart #1 Brabus	66.0	193	20.83	35.83
IM L7	93.0	208	27.81	87.26
Feifan R7	90.0	214	26.89	105.90
Toyota bZ4X	66.70	423	10.53	42.92
Chery QQ Ice Cream	13.90	339	2.06	2.20
Wuling Mini EV	9.30	452	1.38	1.50
Changan Lumin	17.65	549	1.97	2.10

This extensive testing emphasizes the importance of considering cold weather performance when selecting an electric vehicle. As EV technology advances, so too must the strategies to accommodate various driving conditions.

Source (in Chinese)