Tesla EVs come with a heat pump that seems more efficient than rivals.
We know that various external factors can affect the estimated range advertised by EV makers, one of which is temperature, including extreme heat and cold, but it seems that Tesla EVs are less susceptible to the phenomenon in hot weather than rivals. How exactly heat affects range has been studied by Recurrent, which came up with the answer after analyzing battery readings from 7,500 vehicles.
The research included EVs from various brands, including the Chevrolet Bolt EV, the Hyundai Kona EV, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E, to name a few. some cars got more range in hot weather and eventually lost some, while others fell, and the Kona, for example, stayed relatively stable. But the standout models were the Tesla range, which had the least range degradation in hot weather conditions. In fact, the curve is so smooth that you'd think the test was conducted in dissimilar conditions.
According to the research, the slow EV range degradation across varying hot temperatures results from Tesla's use of a heat pump instead of standard automotive air cooling systems.
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Heat pumps are said to be more efficient at cooling in the summer and heating in the winter, but when it activates, more components require electricity, reducing range. This is inevitable, but Tesla's pump seems to be a standout performer.
However, the latest heat wave in the Southern and Western US suggested Teslas are not totally immune to extreme temperatures. In a report by Automotive News, Carlos Nossa, a scientist who drives a Model 3, said that he noticed hot weather affects his EV's range, having fewer miles left at the end of the day.
Charging is also another issue during heat waves. Last year, the states of Texas and California asked EV owners to save energy by not charging their vehicles following a heat wave report.
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The root of EV range degradation is the breakdown of battery components in hot weather conditions. While hot weather typically won't damage EV batteries, cooling systems have to work twice as hard to lower their temperatures, which requires more electricity, and that heats circuits too.
“Once you're above [104 degrees Fahrenheit], you start to have a breakdown of the passive emission layer on the anode, and that breakdown will then cause consumption of the liquid electrolyte, which will shorten the lifetime of your battery,” said Greg Less, technical director of the University of Michigan Battery Lab.
Owning an EV has its pros and cons. But there are ways to mitigate the latter, such as using a slow charger. Charging up to 100% isn't ideal, as it can damage the battery cells. And, of course, avoid extreme temperatures by parking in garages or planning your routes beforehand.
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Keyword: Study: Tesla EVs Lose Minimal Range On Hot Days