Upstate New York winters could be intense. In my space, we started experiencing climate extra typical of January or February proper round Thanksgiving, inflicting each day excessive temperatures to dip into the low 30s, if we had been lucky. There are many methods to deal with this chill: investing in high-quality wool socks is one method, whereas heading to a hotter vacation spot is even higher.
For electrical car house owners needing to go away their vehicles parked in chilly situations for prolonged intervals, a query arises: how a lot vary are you able to anticipate if you return? Chilly climate is especially detrimental to lithium-ion batteries. Whereas these batteries don’t fare properly in excessive warmth, their efficiency considerably declines as temperatures drop.
When my partner and I mapped out a busy vacation itinerary—spending nearly a month in Texas earlier than my journey to Las Vegas for CES 2025—we determined to conduct just a little experiment with our Kia EV6.
We departed on December 15 and returned on January 10. Earlier than our journey, we charged the EV6 to 80%, a observe we normally comply with except we’ve got an extended drive deliberate, which helps preserve battery life. We left it unplugged in our chilly indifferent storage whereas temperatures fluctuated between 12 and 54 levels Fahrenheit.
There is a frequent fear amongst these unfamiliar with electrical automobiles: leaving a automobile parked for days or perhaps weeks would possibly result in a very lifeless battery upon return. All batteries naturally lose cost over time, even when not in use. So, with our EV6 unplugged and saved in such a cold atmosphere, how would it not carry out? This was a superb alternative to search out out.
For some context, my EV6 is the Twin-Motor AWD Wind mannequin, formally rated at 282 miles of vary. Nevertheless, its projected vary can range tremendously with the climate—a sample that has change into much more pronounced in winter. Earlier than leaving for Texas, the vary learn 183 miles, and after being idle for 28 days, we returned to search out it had dropped to 180 miles at a 78% cost. This minimal discount instructed we misplaced solely about 2% of the vary, which, in sensible phrases, amounted to no vital loss.
Upon checking just a few moments later, the vary show even learn 183 miles as soon as once more. Primarily, we noticed nearly no lower in vary in any respect, indicating that leaving an EV unplugged for an prolonged interval in chilly situations doesn’t lead to an entire battery failure.
Nevertheless, I need to emphasize that it’s important to seek the advice of your proprietor’s guide relating to long-term storage strategies. Most manuals advise conserving the car plugged in if potential, permitting the automobile to keep up a correct cost. As highlighted by battery well being specialists, suggestions can range. As an example, a Hyundai (much like my Kia) ought to be plugged in, whereas Ford suggests unplugging a Mustang Mach-E and disconnecting the 12-volt battery if it is saved for greater than 30 days.
My EV6 guide specifies: if the car is left unused for a very long time, it is best to cost the high-voltage battery as soon as each three months to stop discharging. So, if I had been away for 3 months, I’d seemingly hold the automobile plugged in and periodically verify it through the smartphone app to handle charging as obligatory.
It’s additionally value noting that storing a standard inner combustion engine car for an prolonged interval is not splendid both. The 12-volt battery might die, gasoline can evaporate, and fluids can degrade. In distinction, the EV6 managed the weeks of inactivity higher than many older gasoline-powered vehicles I’ve owned.
In conclusion, whereas one ought to at all times verify their proprietor’s guide, leaving your EV parked within the chilly for an extended stretch most likely gained’t pose vital issues. If in case you have different suggestions for driving or storing EVs in chilly climate, please share them within the feedback!
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