For almost a week, extremely cold weather spanning from Chicago to northern Texas has caused difficulties for those who own electric vehicles. This includes decreased driving distance and long periods of time spent waiting at charging stations.

On Monday, news teams in Oak Brook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, discovered Teslas in need of charging at a Supercharger station due to long lines. The temperature had dropped to a frigid -9 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 degrees Celsius).

In areas outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Tesla vehicles were connected to six out of eight charging stations on Wednesday despite the strong winds and a temperature of 7 degrees Fahrenheit (or -14 Celsius). One driver was close to running out of battery.

It is a commonly known fact that electric vehicles experience a decrease in their driving distance when exposed to cold temperatures, particularly below freezing levels like the recent weather in the central part of the country. Research has shown that this decrease in range can range from 10% to 36%.

Electric vehicles also experience slower charging times in extremely cold temperatures. A few Tesla owners living near Chicago have reported that their vehicles were unable to charge at all.

Specialists recognize that low temperatures can pose challenges for electric vehicles, but they suggest that with proper preparation and minor modifications, owners should be able to use their vehicles just as they would in regular conditions.

In electric vehicle batteries, the movement of lithium ions is facilitated by a liquid electrolyte, resulting in the production of electricity. However, in colder temperatures, the ions move at a slower pace through the electrolyte and do not release as much energy. This can decrease the vehicle’s range and lead to a faster depletion of the battery.

The opposite is also true. Due to the slower movement of electrons, the battery is unable to receive as much electricity from the charging plug, resulting in a slower charging process.

One issue that arises is that in colder temperatures, batteries must reach a certain level of warmth for proper electron flow. This is especially crucial at high-speed charging stations such as those used by Tesla.

According to Neil Dasgupta, a professor at the University of Michigan, most chemical substances slow down as the temperature decreases. This is a natural occurrence that we must learn to manage.

At a charging station for electric vehicles in Pittsfield Township, Michigan, located near Ann Arbor, Ankita Bansal had only 7% battery remaining in her Tesla. Despite plugging in, the car did not accept electricity and displayed a message indicating that the battery was warming up. Once it reached the necessary temperature, it would take approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes to reach a full charge, according to the display.

Bansal, a graduate student at the University of Michigan, stated that she has a lot of distance to cover. She hopes to reach a full charge as she does not have access to a charging station at her residence.

According to Bruce Westlake, the president of the Eastern Michigan Electric Vehicle Association, the majority of EVs are designed to heat up the battery when the driver notifies the vehicle’s navigation system of an upcoming trip to the charging station.

According to Westlake, who owns two Teslas, a lot of people who are unfamiliar with electric vehicles may believe that their cars will not charge. This could be due to a lack of knowledge on how to properly “precondition” their batteries.

The individual mentioned that they are still in the learning process and that Tesla may struggle with effectively communicating certain concepts. A request for a response was sent to Tesla.

According to Westlake, when the weather is extremely cold, it may take up to 30 minutes for the battery to heat up and be ready for charging. However, preheating the battery can result in a slight decrease in range, typically only a few miles.

Bansal, who recently acquired her Tesla, was unaware of the need for preconditioning before charging. However, she is now aware of this requirement.

A couple of stalls down from her, Kim Burney’s Tesla Model 3 was recharging at a slightly slower pace than usual due to the colder weather. She had traveled further than expected during her trip to the dentist in Ann Arbor on Wednesday morning and wanted to ensure a full charge for the remainder of her day’s journeys.

She informed the car of her destination at the charging station, and upon arrival, the car was prepared and plugged in.

Similar to Westlake, Burney stated that electric vehicle drivers should make plans in advance, especially during colder temperatures. According to her, the car will provide information on available charging stations and remaining range. “As you drive it more, you become more familiar with how far you can travel and how much charge is needed,” she explained.

According to Burney, her battery range decreases by approximately 15% to 20% in cold temperatures, but the decrease is significantly greater during severe cold spells like the current one.

According to Dasgupta, automakers are expected to develop more effective methods for preserving battery life and heating them for charging in the near future. Additionally, there are ongoing advancements in battery chemistry that can better withstand cold temperatures.

In the near future, Dasgupta stated that with the increase in EV purchases by mainstream consumers and the entrance of more automakers into the market, there will be a development of models that utilize current lithium-ion technology to better suit colder climates. In certain situations, the overall range may need to be slightly sacrificed in order to enhance cold-weather performance.

According to Dasgupta, a large sum of money is being put towards developing advanced battery technology that excels in cold temperatures. This technology will eventually make its way from military, aerospace, and undersea use to being used in electric vehicles.

“He stated that even in a cold climate, one can still drive an electric vehicle. Stay positive and enthusiastic about what’s to come, as things will only improve from this point on.”

Source: wral.com