Freezing Temperatures Slash Electric Vehicle Range by Up to 32% in New Test

Electric vehicles continue to struggle in freezing temperatures, according to the latest winter range test. The El Prix 2026 event put 24 models through extreme conditions, with temperatures dropping as low as -30°C. While larger batteries offered longer distances, they also faced bigger proportional losses in cold weather.

The test revealed a clear pattern: vehicles with bigger batteries could travel further but lost a larger share of their range in the cold. Some smaller-battery models, by contrast, performed more steadily under the same conditions. This suggests that a high nominal range does not always mean better winter reliability.

Previous years' data, including tests from 2023 and earlier, showed electric vehicles typically achieving 4–32% less range in winter than in summer. Not a single model in those tests matched its official WLTP range rating. The 2026 results, however, remain unpublished in available search records.

Extreme cold stays a major hurdle for electric vehicle performance. Drivers in freezing climates may need to adjust expectations, even with high-capacity batteries.

The findings highlight the ongoing challenge of cold-weather efficiency for electric cars. While larger batteries extend driving distance, their range losses in sub-zero temperatures can be significant. Manufacturers and drivers alike must account for these limitations when assessing real-world performance.