A recent study by AAA highlights the impact of extreme temperatures on the energy consumption of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars.

Temperature's Impact on EV and Hybrid Efficiency

The study examined six vehicles on a dynamometer, testing their efficiency across a range of temperatures. Results indicate that EVs experience a more substantial reduction in range during cold weather compared to hybrids.

EVs and Cold Weather Performance

EVs demonstrate a larger decrease in fuel economy when temperatures drop. This reduction in efficiency means drivers need to recharge more frequently to cover the same distance.

Hybrids' Key Advantage

Despite EVs generally being cheaper to operate, hybrids possess a key advantage in extreme temperatures that can reverse this benefit. The study found that EVs are typically more cost-effective to drive due to lower home electricity rates.

Charging Costs and Total Mileage

However, when relying solely on public charging stations, the cost of driving 1,000 miles in an EV can exceed that of a hybrid, regardless of the ambient temperature. AAA’s testing showed the most significant cost difference between moderate and 20°F temperatures for EVs.

The study emphasizes that as efficiency declines, the distance traveled on a single charge or tank of gas decreases, leading to more frequent refueling or recharging.