Will electric cars be reliable in wintry conditions?

Question

Will electric cars be reliable in wintry conditions?

Answer 1

No.  Batteries lose their efficiency drastically in cold weather in northern places like Minnesota.  Also, you need to produce heat, not only for comfort, but to keep the windows clear.

Answer 2

Think is testing theirs this winter to answer just that question..I see no reason why there would be any really big problems.

Odd thing is, every time one seems to get close to production they add yet another years to their release date, that's why we still see nothing.

Answer 3

Hey,

I just had a Rav 4 Electric Vechile and it worked terrific in all conditions. The change in weather won't have any affect on its quality or range. Where I live it goes under freezing frequently and we used the Rav 4 perfectly. If you are debating on buying a car it will have no factor or anything. And I loved the car, we just sold it to the State of California where they will use it for Air Quality testing.

Hope that helps you a bit. :)

Answer 4

well yes it can.  but it depends on what kinda of batteries the car uses.  if its lead acid , it might not be a great idea depending on how cold.  if you use a more advanced electric car, they have temperature control for the batteries ( an advanced car will use ni-MH or lithium ion batteris)  so...................... depends

Answer 5

Is not for off road   condition.

Answer 6

There is a range of optimum temperatures that all batteries work best in. That includes Lead-Acid where if you double the temperature you halve the performance. (except firefly) That said, it's not a major technical problem.

Cars create heat, even electric, and once the car is running the cool weather is better than warm for performance. Electric cars may have warmers, the same way many Canadians have blankets to warm their engines.

That would only be for northern areas however. Most of the U.S. would be fine. The batteries would still work as long as the active material doesn't freeze, just not quite as good until the heat of working warmed them up.

As far as driving, the electric motor has no close tolerance parts the way ICE do, so there's no cold weather motor worries at all. It's as easy, or easier to have 4 WD electrics, many concepts use in wheel motors that offer the very best traction.

The torque on an electric is instant, so it might take some getting used to starting the car without spinning in ice, but I know of at least one system of traction control that will detect slip and adjust.