How much it drops
Recurrent looked at more than 30,000 US cars across several winters. On average they kept 78% of their range at 32°F and 70% at 20°F. The best model kept 88% at 32°F; the worst kept 69%. Short trips with lots of stops do worse, because you keep heating a cold cabin.
Why
- The cabin heater runs on the battery. A gas engine heats the cabin with waste heat.
- Cold batteries give up less energy and take a charge more slowly.
- Winter tires and snow add drag.
Lose less
- Preheat the car while it is still plugged in.
- Use seat and wheel heaters. They use far less than the cabin heater.
- Navigate to fast chargers in the car, so it warms the battery first.
- Choose a heat pump if the car offers one.
- Park in a garage if you can.
How to shop
On every model page we show EPA range and a winter estimate at 70%. If that number covers your week, you are fine.