As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular across the world, understanding how extreme weather conditions affect their performance is also very crucial. Having an EV can be challenging, with seasonal changes requiring different approaches to maintain efficiency. Both winter and summer weather pose unique challenges. In this article we will learn how hot summer weather can significantly impact EV range and overall efficiency. Here’s an in-depth look at how heat affects EVs and what you can do to mitigate its impact.

The Impact of Heat on EV Range

A recent study by Recurrent analyzed battery readings from 7,500 electric vehicles and found that EVs can lose up to 31% of their advertised range in extreme heat. This significant range reduction is primarily due to the energy required to cool the cabin and maintain optimal battery temperatures. Here’s a breakdown of potential range loss at various temperatures:

These figures highlight the importance of temperature management in maintaining EV efficiency during hot weather.

Why Hot Weather Reduces EV Range

The main reason for the range reduction in hot weather is the increased use of the air conditioning system. Cooling the cabin when temperatures soar can consume a significant amount of energy. According to Recurrent, the initial cooldown of an EV cabin can use 3 to 5 kilowatts (kW) of power, and maintaining the set temperature typically requires around 1 kW.

In addition, excessive heat accelerates chemical reactions within the battery, leading to a faster depletion of active lithium which is crucial for energy production. This not only reduces the immediate range but can also affect the long-term health and lifespan of the battery.

Best Practices for Managing EV Range in Hot Weather

1. Preconditioning

One of the best practice to keep your electric vehicles performance up to mark is Preconditioning. It involves cooling the cabin and the battery before driving while the car is still plugged into a power source.

How to Use It:

• Many modern EVs come with automatic preconditioning features.
• Use your EV’s mobile app to start preconditioning remotely.
• Set your navigation to a charging station to trigger this process.
• Schedule preconditioning to start a few minutes before your usual departure time.

Additional Tips:

• Precondition the cabin while the vehicle is charging to conserve battery power for driving.
• Utilize this feature during extremely hot days to ensure the cabin is cool and comfortable before you start driving.

2. Avoid Frequent DC Fast Charging

Electricity is the fuel to the electric vehicles. We changes our electric vehicles as per needs and range. But frequent use of DC fast chargers can lead to thermal throttling, where the Battery Management System (BMS) reduces charging speed to prevent overheating.

Recommendation:

• Opt for Level 2 charging stations whenever possible, especially during peak heat hours.
• Use DC fast chargers sparingly, primarily during long trips or emergencies.

Additional Tips:

• Plan your trips to include stops at Level 2 chargers.
• Monitor your charging sessions to ensure the battery doesn’t overheat.

3. Limit State of Charge (SoC) to 80%

EV owners can also effectively increase the range of their EV with proper charging. Charging a EV to 80% instead of 100% helps them to prevent overheating and extends battery life. It also meets the desirable daily driving needs and can reduce charging time.

Implementation:

• Adjust the SoC limit in your EV’s charging settings.
• Some EVs allow you to set a maximum charge level via their mobile app.

Additional Tips:

• For daily commuting, an 80% charge is usually sufficient and helps maintain battery health.
• Use the full charge only when planning long trips.

4. Charge in the Shade

While charging EV temperature is naturally increases like that happens with out phones and other electronic gadgets. So it is recommended to owners should charge and park their electric vehicles in shaded areas that can help them to keep the battery cooler and reduce the need for air conditioning.

Recommendation:

• Whenever possible, choose charging stations located in shaded or covered areas.
• Park your EV in the shade when not in use to keep the interior cooler.

Additional Tips:

• Use car covers or sunshades to protect your EV from direct sunlight.
• Seek out parking spots under trees or in parking garages to minimize sun exposure.

5. Optimize Driving Habits

Apart form other tips this might change your way of driving. While driving we generally go with high range and race that put the pressure on the vehicles. To cope with the there are several mode provided by the automakers that keep your driving in check. For example:-

• Eco Mode: Use Eco or Chill mode to reduce power consumption and help keep the battery cooler.
• Gentle Driving: Avoid aggressive acceleration and high speeds to conserve battery power and reduce heat generation.

Additional Tips:

• Plan your routes to avoid heavy traffic, as stop-and-go driving can increase energy consumption.
• Use cruise control on highways to maintain a steady speed and improve efficiency.
• Monitor your driving habits via the EV’s dashboard to optimize performance and range.

Real-World Examples

• Chevrolet Bolt EV: The discontinued Bolt EV showed a 5% to 8% range loss at 60°F and 95°F but performed better than advertised at 80°F, according to Recurrent data.
• Hyundai Kona Electric: This model consistently outperformed its estimated EPA range in all warm weather conditions, offering 122% to 130% of its advertised range at temperatures between 60°F and 95°F.

• Ford Mustang Mach-E: The Mach-E showed a slight drop in range at 60°F but performed well at higher temperatures, with a range exceeding EPA estimates at 80°F to 95°F.
• Tesla Models: Tesla EVs, equipped with highly efficient heat pumps, showed consistent range performance across various temperatures but typically achieved about 60% of their advertised range in real-world conditions.

Understanding how hot weather impacts your EV’s range is essential for optimizing performance and ensuring a smooth driving experience during the summer months. By following best practices such as preconditioning, avoiding frequent DC fast charging, limiting SoC, charging in the shade, and optimizing driving habits, you can mitigate the adverse effects of heat on your EV.