EV range in winter
In the cold, real range drops noticeably. In our fixed −10 °C scenario the median car in the catalogue loses about 21 % against mild conditions; most sit between 18 and 25 %.
Why
Battery chemistry is less efficient when cold, and the cabin heater draws real power. Short trips cost the most, because the cabin is reheated from scratch each time.
The percentage misleads
Heating draws roughly the same power whether the car is frugal or thirsty. That is exactly why it hits efficient cars harder in percentage terms: the same heating load is a bigger share of a small consumption. In our catalogue the thirstiest cars lose least (Mercedes G 580 EQ: 14 %, ~28 kWh/100 km) and the most frugal lose most (Microlino: up to 47 %, ~5 kWh/100 km).
So the number to plan with is not the percentage but the absolute range left. That is what our winter ranking is sorted by — not by the smallest loss.
What helps
- Pre-condition while plugged in (warm the cabin and battery before you set off).
- A heat pump (if fitted) cuts heating energy substantially.
- Seat and steering-wheel heating instead of the blower — warms you directly for little power.
In Evident
Every vehicle page shows real range mild and at −10 °C plus the loss in percent, turns your daily distance into days per charge under “Is it enough for your day-to-day?”, and the long-trip plan turns a winter journey into charging stops and minutes. In the catalogue you can filter and sort by winter range instead of WLTP. How the model works and what it is calibrated against is public on model health.
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