As temperatures drop throughout various parts of the U.S., concerns have been raised about electric vehicles’ (EVs) ability to function in sub-freezing weather. The issue appears to be solved in Norway however, Fast Company reports.
Cold temperatures can negatively impact an EV’s battery, driving range and ability to recharge. This partly due to the fact that EVs rely on battery power to for driving purposes as well as to heat and defrost the vehicle (gas-powered vehicles can use their engines to heat their cabin—EV engines can create that much heat). The more power an EV uses to warm up the vehicle, the less that’s available to actually drive it.
So, what is Norway, a global EV adoption leader and deals with average temperatures of 19 degrees, doing to sidestep this issue? The key is preparation, according to Ståle Frydenlund, test manager for the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association.
“(EVs are) quite able to cope with winter if you know what you’re doing,” he told the Globe and Mail in 2023.
Recommended preparation includes pre-heating EVs while they are still plugged into their home charger (also known as preconditioning) or just use the steering wheel or seat heating mechanism to stay warm for short-range trips. Those heating options typically use less battery power than heating up the car’s whole cabin.
Additionally, EV drivers are encouraged to park their vehicle inside a garage if possible to shield it from the cold, as well as keep an eye on the battery temperatures—lithium ion batteries are at their best between 60 and 80 degrees. Battery blankets are an option for those who can’t store their EV indoors.
Drivers should also monitor their EV battery level—it can take a long time to bring it back to full charge in the cold if it’s too low. A lot of EVs limit how fast their batteries can charge when they’re cold to prevent extreme temperature fluctuations, Fast Company reports. Home chargers are another option because EV owners an keep their vehicle plugged in overnight, which will keep the battery warm.
How will commercial EVs fare in cold temperatures?
Norway may have found some solutions to help EVs survive frigid temperatures, but they appear to fit more for individual, passenger vehicles. Sure, an EV owner can charge their lone vehicle at home overnight, but does a company that owns a fleet of commercial EVs have that same luxury?
Consider a township that has a fleet of electric school buses; if they don’t have somewhere to store them inside overnight or the EV charging infrastructure to keep the batteries warm—or both, there’s a chance they won’t be operational in morning to go on their routes. The same could be said for businesses that use commercial trucks and heavy equipment to transport materials. Their work could suffer if their vehicles can’t be used because they are too cold or will take too long to charge.
A lot of work must be done to ensure electric fleets can function during all seasons. This includes building out reliable EV charging infrastructure so these vehicles remain powered up during the winter months, as well as having more EV charging stations on the roads so commercial EV drivers can work peace of mind knowing there’s somewhere nearby to recharge if necessary. Given that EVs lose their standard range in cold weather, having more EV charging solutions available is critical in the winter.
The current cold weather tips for EVs are a good start, there’s still a ways to go before commercial EV owners can feel good about their fleets’ survival chances when temperatures fall below freezing.
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