'Electric Car Pride' Shrinks in Cold Wave... "Can't Even Turn on the Heater"

Performance Decrease of Electric Vehicle Lithium-Ion Batteries in Winter
Heating Also Affects... "Afraid to Turn on Heater in the Cold"
Use Dedicated Antifreeze and Recommend Underground or Indoor Parking

An electric vehicle charging station in the parking lot of a building in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

As the recent cold wave continues, complaints from electric vehicle (EV) owners are increasing. Typically, when temperatures drop below freezing, battery performance decreases, resulting in slower charging speeds and unexplained fire incidents.

On the 24th, Dominic Nati, a radio host from Virginia, USA, posted on his social media, "Tesla ruined Christmas Eve because it wouldn't charge in the cold wave." He stated, "On the 23rd, when the temperature was minus 7 degrees Celsius, I connected my Tesla Model S to a fast charger, but it didn't work properly, so I couldn't move."

EV Driving Range Decreases by Up to 30%

In winter, EV battery performance drops, reducing driving range by nearly 30%. This is similar to how smartphone batteries drain quickly in cold weather. According to the Ministry of Environment's Zero-Emission Vehicle Integrated Website on the 29th, the driving range per single charge of EVs available on the market differs by more than 100 km between normal temperature (25°C) and low temperature (minus 7°C).

The driving range of Hyundai Motor's Ioniq 6 is 544 km at normal temperature but drops to 428 km in low temperature; the Ioniq 5 also decreases from 423 km to 362 km. Kia's EV6 has a driving range of 407 km at normal temperature and 380 km in low temperature. Tesla's Model 3 Long Range has a driving range of 527.9 km at normal temperature but decreases by 90 km to 440.1 km in low temperature. The Model Y shows a difference of nearly 70 km, with 348.6 km at normal temperature and 279.3 km in low temperature.

The reason for the reduced driving range of EVs in winter lies in the lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries, mainly used in EVs, consist of liquid electrolytes that freeze as temperatures drop, increasing internal resistance and reducing efficiency. At low temperatures, battery charging speed significantly slows, and efficiency decreases, causing EV users to feel the most noticeable changes in battery performance during winter.

EV Owners Say "Afraid to Turn on the Heater"

Additionally, the heating system in winter also affects efficiency. Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles that use engine heat for heating, EVs operate heaters using battery power. This is why some owners say, "I'm afraid to turn on the heater because it's cold." In fact, posts on online communities mention that the driving range noticeably decreases every time the heater's wind strength is increased.

Repeated EV fires are also causing anxiety among owners. Fires occur even without battery impact, and once an EV battery catches fire, it is difficult to extinguish. On the 26th, an EV caught fire while charging in a residential alley in Beondong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, and on the same morning, a Tesla EV caught fire while driving in Busan.

Typically, EV fires are known to be caused by battery thermal runaway, but fires have occurred even when vehicles were parked and stationary, making it difficult to identify the cause. Of the 14 EV fires that occurred in the first half of this year, half remain unexplained.

"Main Cause of EV 'Frostbite' Is Overnight Parking... Use Underground or Indoor Parking"

Meanwhile, the Citizens' Coalition for Automotive Safety advises that EVs and new cars within the warranty period must use the dedicated antifreeze recommended by the manufacturer. Cold wave malfunctions caused by antifreeze can lead to fires or engine replacements. They also state that the main cause of EV frostbite is 'overnight parking,' recommending that when parking, use underground or indoor parking as much as possible, and if parking outdoors, park facing a wall or east to maintain minimal insulation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.