A new study reveals that 4 out of 10 drivers are refraining from buying electric cars because they are afraid of the range of the cars in winter.
A new survey from NAF shows that 4 out of 10 drivers are reluctant to buy an electric car due to concerns about range during the winter months. This concern is not unfounded.
"Electric cars are generally well suited to Norwegian driving habits with short distances and moderate speeds. But the Norwegian winter challenges electric cars.
– It is therefore natural that people are unsure about switching to an electric car when they are worried about the range in the winter, says Nils Sodal, senior communications advisor at NAF, in a press release .
NAF's extensive testing of electric cars shows that range can be reduced by up to 36 percent, even at moderate winter temperatures. "At temperatures between zero and minus ten degrees, our testing shows that you should expect a reduction in range of 20 to 30 percent compared to the summer months," explains Sodal. "When the temperature drops to minus 20 degrees or lower, the range loss becomes even greater."
Since 2020, NAF and Motor have tested most electric car models on the Norwegian market. On January 15, El Prix, the world's largest electric car test, will be held, where electric cars are tested under Norwegian winter conditions. This is the sixth winter test in a row.
The range of electric cars is affected by several factors in winter. Battery performance is reduced in cold weather, and heating the cabin uses a significant amount of energy. In addition, winter tires and difficult road conditions can further increase energy consumption.
To meet these challenges, car manufacturers are continuously working to improve battery technology and energy efficiency in electric cars. For example, Volvo believes that more range can be gained by heating the cars' front and rear windows.
In any case, the Chinese car brand has applied for a patent on the technology for heating car windows at the European Patent Office.
Conversely, Mercedes is pulling in the other direction. The fight to get the longest possible range out of electric cars must no longer go beyond the cars' design, says the boss. Read more about it here .
