A new study by the AAA has shown extreme temperatures reduce efficiency, range, and increase operating costs for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids.
Researchers tested six vehicles at cold, moderate, and hot temperatures to examine how electrified powertrains perform under non-ideal conditions.
Building on their 2019 study, the AAA automotive engineering team, in partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center, evaluated the powertrains of three EVs and three hybrids.
Testing was conducted on a chassis dynamometer a device like a treadmill for cars with the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) set at 72 degrees in the vehicles and the temperatures in the laboratory test cell at 20°F, 75°F, and 95°F.
The study found in hot temperatures (95°F), hybrid vehicles experienced a 12% decrease in fuel efficiency (miles per gallon, MPG). While EVs showed a 10.4% reduction in efficiency (MPGe, miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent) and an 8.5% loss of driving range compared to moderate temperature (75°F).
In cold temperatures (20°F) hybrids lost 22.8% in fuel economy in the study while EVs demonstrated a 35.6% drop in MPGe and a 39.0% decrease in calculated driving range.
“EVs are efficient in moderate temperatures but lose significant range in the cold,” said Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering and research at AAA. “We expected this from our previous research, but were surprised by the 23% reduction in fuel economy for the hybrids in cold temperatures. Drivers should consider climate, energy costs, and driving patterns when choosing a vehicle that best fits their lifestyle.”
