As temperatures plummet across Canada, electric vehicle (EV) owners are grappling with decreased battery performance. James Hart, President of the Manitoba Electric Vehicle Association, notes a 50% increase in consumption during extreme cold, translating to a 40-50% decrease in range when temperatures drop below -15°C. In a Chicago suburb, sub-zero conditions led to long waits at Tesla Superchargers, with some batteries drained and 10 cars requiring towing.
Auto research firm Recurrent found that in winter conditions, Hyundai Kona demonstrated one of the best ranges, while Tesla models lost nearly 25% of their range, and the Chevrolet Bolt lost about a third. General Motors, Chevrolet's parent company, asserts their EVs are designed for extreme temperatures, undergoing testing as low as -40°C.
Alberta's record-breaking cold prompted an energy conservation plea, including unplugging EVs. As Ottawa aims to phase out gas-powered vehicles by 2035, concerns arise about EV infrastructure readiness. National standards mandate 20% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2026, 60% by 2030, and 100% by 2035, necessitating 442,000 EV charging stations, according to the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association.
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