When temperatures rise, many electric car drivers become concerned – not about the heat itself, but about the air conditioning. The fear: that she will use too much electricity on the go. But current measurements and analyzes show a completely different picture. It’s not the cooling that affects the range the most.
Cooling is not the problem
For a long time, air conditioning was considered one of the main suspects when it came to explaining the range of electric cars in summer temperatures. But a practical test by the ADAC now brings more clarity. A Tesla Model Y was tested under extreme conditions – eight hours at 35 degrees outside temperature, direct sunlight and the air conditioning running continuously. The result was surprisingly unspectacular. The power consumption for cooling was constant at 1.3 to 1.5 kilowatts per hour. Extrapolated to the battery, this corresponds to a loss of range of around 64 kilometers, i.e. around 16 percent of the battery capacity. The air conditioning may draw electricity, but at a manageable level.
The key is the pace
A large-scale analysis by the telematics specialist Geotab shows where energy consumption can really get out of hand. Over three million trips were evaluated – in summer conditions and with a focus on real consumption data. The result: the higher the speed, the more the range shrinks. A van with a 65-kilowatt-hour battery loses almost 40 percent of its range at 128 km/h compared to 80 km/h. Even for classic sedans, the difference is still a good 28 percent. There is no complex technology behind it, just simple physics. Air resistance increases with the square of the speed. If you drive twice as fast, you have to expect four times the energy expenditure. And this effect is particularly noticeable in electric cars, especially large or poorly aerodynamic models.
Drive slower, go further
An article by Charlotte Argue from Geotab also confirms that a moderate pace pays off. The expert explains that just 16 to 24 kilometers per hour less on the speedometer can improve the range by over 20 percent. The effect is measurable – and a relevant factor for commuters, frequent travelers and holidaymakers with intermediate charging stops. If you want to get the most out of a battery charge, you don’t have to do without air conditioning, but rather take your foot off the pedal. This applies on country roads as well as on motorways.
Other factors
In addition to driving behavior, the weather also plays a role. The range of many electric cars drops in freezing temperatures. According to another analysis by Geotab, vehicles at minus 15 degrees only deliver 54 percent of the WLTP range on average. In the ideal range of around 20 degrees, they can even easily exceed this, according to Geotab. Another means of increasing efficiency is so-called preconditioning. The car is brought to the correct operating and interior temperature while it is still connected to electricity. Anyone who uses this function saves energy when driving, especially in extreme outside temperatures. The driving style is also noticeable: gentle acceleration, less abrupt braking and targeted recuperation can noticeably regain range, explains Geotab.
Editorial team finanzen.net
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