Why Does EV Range Drop in Both Winter and Summer?

Why Does EV Range Drop in Both Winter and Summer? 

Many electric vehicle owners have noticed that their driving range tends to shrink in both winter and summer. This is not a vehicle malfunction, but rather a result of the physical properties of the power battery and the additional energy consumption caused by extreme weather conditions.

Winter range drops mainly because batteries "hate the cold" and cabin heating "consumes a lot of power."

Most EVs today use lithium-ion batteries. In low temperatures, the lithium ions inside become less active, the electrolyte thickens, and the discharge efficiency decreases—reducing the usable capacity. According to authoritative tests, at -7°C with the heater on, the average vehicle range drops by nearly 40%. Additionally, unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, EVs cannot use engine waste heat for cabin heating. They must rely on energy-hungry PTC heaters or heat pump air conditioning, which further reduces range.

Summer range also drops, mainly because batteries "hate the heat" and cooling "adds to the load."

The ideal operating temperature for lithium-ion batteries is between 20°C and 30°C. High temperatures accelerate internal side reactions, and may even damage the protective layer on the battery anode, consuming electrolyte and causing performance degradation. At the same time, to prevent overheating, the battery cooling system continuously consumes power. When combined with air conditioning use in summer, overall range typically drops by 10% to 25%. Studies show that range begins to decline above 32°C, and at 38°C the drop can reach as high as 31%.

The good news is that with the growing adoption of heat pumps and advances in battery thermal management technology, the seasonal impact on newer EV models is gradually decreasing.

Additional Note:

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries have an olivine structure, which makes it harder for Li-ions to move at low temperatures—resulting in poorer winter range. However, this stable structure holds up well under high temperatures, giving LFP batteries excellent heat resistance.

Ternary (NMC/NCA) batteries have a layered structure with wider interlayer spacing than LFP, allowing them to maintain better capacity retention even at relatively low temperatures (e.g., -10°C), while also supporting fast charging. Ternary batteries perform better in cold climates.

So, ternary batteries are better suited for colder regions, while LFP batteries offer better cost-effectiveness in the warmer regions.