How much range do I lose in winter?

Expect a 20-30% loss significantly below freezing temperatures. If your car uses resistance heating (no heat pump), losses can exceed 40% on short trips.

Does speed affect range?

Yes, drastically. Aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed. Driving at 80mph consumes 25-30% more energy than driving at 65mph.

Range Loss Estimator

High speeds and cold weather kill range. Find out how much.

🚗 Vehicle Baseline

Rated Range (EPA miles):

Has Heat Pump?

Older EVs mostly use resistance heating.

🌨️ Conditions

Average Speed (mph):

65 mph

Outside Temp (°F):

32 °F

Climate Control:

The Cold Truth

Batteries are like humans—they like to be at 70°F (21°C). When it gets cold, chemical reactions slow down, and range drops.

Resistance vs Heat Pump

Resistance heaters (common in older EVs) are like giant toasters—they burn a lot of energy to create heat. Heat Pumps (in newer Teslas/bZ4X) move heat rather than creating it, saving massive range in winter.

The "Short Trip" Penalty

In winter, your car uses huge energy to heat the battery and cabin for the first 15 minutes. If you run 4 short errands (heating up 4 times), you will lose far more range than one long continuous drive.

Preconditioning

Always "Precondition" (heat up) your car while it is still plugged into the wall charger at home. This uses grid electricity to warm the battery, preserving your range for the road.