"... say goodbye to Tesla as a reliable companion if the mercury is in single digits.
... People with Teslas and other electric cars (e.g. Volt) have discovered much to their chagrin that electric batteries do not like the cold.
Severe, low temps rapidly drain the batteries of their charge, and the next thing you know you are stranded next to a corn field in a lonely stretch of road.
... This discovery is leading many formerly happy owners of the electric cars to dump them as fast as they can get themselves into a gas-fueled pick up truck or SUV capable of plowing through a snowdrift."
" Cold weather poses extra challenges for EVs
... Charge until it is time to go ...
EVs don’t usually need to be charged 24/7.
... That’s not true in the winter ...
It’s easy for electric vehicles to lose their charge when the battery gets cold.
... EV owners should remember to keep them plugged into their power source until they leave the house.
... It can also help to heat your garage (to) keep the battery warm, which makes the car charge faster overall.
... your vehicle might heat the battery automatically.
... if you have a Tesla Model 3, you can turn on a feature called “climate control” to warm it up.
EV owners can expect their vehicles to achieve more range as a result.
Expect lower mileage
Many of today’s EVs can get up to around 200 miles before they need to be charged.
It’s smart to prepare for half that capacity during colder weather.
... If you keep your car plugged in between uses, you’ll be able to drive as far as possible.
Be sure to map routes that include various charging station options, so you don’t run out of power.
It’s also a good idea to heat the car’s interior less often to preserve electricity."
" ... Although the range of most electric vehicle models has improved significantly in just a few short years, a limited driving range does present a challenge to many drivers.
... A cross-country trip in an electric vehicle would require some careful planning, and likely some inconvenient stops.
A study by AAA found that vehicle range went down by 41% when the temperature dipped to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and the heater was on.
... A standard wall charger can take 8 hours to charge a Tesla Model S, whereas a supercharger would take 1 hour.
Many chargers that you will encounter out and about will take at least 2 hours to charge a discharged battery fully.
Lack of Charging Infrastructure
... If you can charge at home and/or work and you don’t travel long distances, you might be all set.
Some city or apartment dwellers ... aren’t able to charge at home due to a lack of a driveway or garage.
... they must rely on public chargers in parking garages and shopping centers — or agreements with friends or neighbors.
Even if vehicle chargers are conveniently located, they might be occupied.
Tesla drivers have the added advantage of being able to use Tesla Supercharger Stations.
The electric vehicle charging infrastructure varies widely by area, but this is an important consideration before buying an electric vehicle.
Higher Upfront Cost
... Although a high-end Tesla costs a pretty penny ... The Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Ioniq start at around $30,000, but they both have ranges under 200 miles.
Difficulty Finding a Mechanic
... electric cars require less maintenance and fewer repairs,
... 97% of mechanics are not qualified to work on electric vehicles.
Of the 3%, ... many ... work for dealerships.
... people ... experienced working on hybrid cars are not necessarily knowledgeable about all-electric models.
... electric vehicle owners typically visit their mechanics less because their cars require fewer fluids (like transmission fluid and oil) and have fewer moving parts.
" ... cold weather does impact an EV's efficiency and performance.
Low temperatures slow the battery chemistry, resulting in less energy for acceleration.
It takes more energy to keep the battery at an efficient operating temperature, and a little more energy still to keep the cabin (and you) warm.
... this results in less efficient performance, which means you might not have as much range as you think.
... In 2018, we ran a Chevy Bolt EV in cold weather to compare it against a 2017 test we did in nearly ideal conditions.