AAA Study: Extreme Temperatures Drain EV and HEVs


   
Maria Eugenia Garcia
DTN Energy Editor

   HOUSTON, TX (DTN) --Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric 
vehicles (HEVs) suffer meaningful efficiency losses in extreme temperatures -- 
with cold weather delivering the steepest blow, according to a study of the 
American Automobile Association (AAA) released on Friday (5/1).

   AAA tested six vehicles -- including the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Ford Mustang 
Mach-E, Tesla Model Y, Toyota Prius, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Hyundai Tucson 
Hybrid -- at 20F, 75F, and 95F.

   At 20F, BEVs saw a 35.6% drop in efficiency (MPGe) and a 39% reduction in 
calculated range compared to the 75F baseline. Hybrids fared better but still 
lost 22.8% in fuel economy under the same frigid conditions, the AAA study 
showed.

   Hot weather (95F) proved less damaging: BEVs lost 10.4% in MPGe and 8.5% in 
range, while hybrids declined 12% in fuel economy.

   Cold-weather BEV operating costs rose by $32.11 per 1,000 miles at home 
charging rates and $76.93 per 1,000 miles at commercial charging stations. HEV 
costs increased $28.44 per 1,000 miles in the cold, according to the study.

   Public charging stations nationwide have increased from about 55,000 in 2022 
to roughly 80,000 as of today, AAA said.




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