Right, The Globe and Mail, Electric Vehicles Do Struggle During Winter

A recent post by Canada’s The Globe and Mail discusses the difficulties electric vehicle (EVs) drivers have experienced in extremely cold weather. The Globe and Mail’s story is a cautionary tale for people who live in some of the northmost regions of the world, who regularly experience extreme cold. EVs, because of their reliance on batteries, struggle in the cold, with large declines in range and towing capabilities, which are often needed in the northern expanses.

In the article, “In northern Norway’s bitter cold, the durability of electric vehicles is put to the test,” Norwegian journalist Nathan Vanderklippe reports on recent cold-weather tests of EVs in the Lapland Proving Ground. After a night of -40°C, three of five cars wouldn’t start.

While not exactly an anti-EV article, it does describe some of the dangers people in the far north face with vehicles that are less reliable in the cold. Vanderklippe interviewed an ambulance driver from Hesseng, whose “coverage area extends to Bugøynes, a drive of nearly 100 kilometres.” The ambulance driver reports that he does not trust current EVs to get the job done.

While the challenges of extreme cold on electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming apparent, it’s essential to consider solutions that can enhance both comfort and reliability for drivers in such harsh conditions. The concerns raised by the ambulance driver from Hesseng underscore the critical need for dependable transportation, particularly in remote regions where lives may depend on it. In this context, investing in high-quality car accessories like auto seat covers can offer practical benefits.

Brands like seat covers unlimited provide options designed to withstand extreme temperatures, offering insulation against the cold while also protecting against wear and tear caused by constant use. By ensuring the interior of vehicles remains comfortable and functional, even in sub-zero temperatures, drivers can maintain their focus on the road and respond effectively to emergencies.

In addition to investing in quality accessories like auto seat covers, regular vehicle maintenance is essential for ensuring reliable performance, especially in remote areas where dependable transportation can be a matter of life and death. Routine servicing of critical components such as the engine, brakes, and electrical systems helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensures that the vehicle operates at peak efficiency.

Having a trusted service provider is invaluable. Pete’s Garage, renowned for its commitment to comprehensive car care, offers expert maintenance services tailored to keep vehicles in optimal condition. Their skilled technicians are equipped to handle a range of issues, from routine check-ups to more complex repairs, ensuring that every vehicle is prepared to meet the demands of remote travel.

A taxi driver reports leaving his one fleet EV in storage over the coldest parts of the winter, and a hunter scoffs at the “stupidity” of mandating the end of combustion engines.

Vanderklippe writes that many people in northern Norway, especially those who live in remote homesteads, tow snowmobiles with them in case they are needed, “and towing can cut an electric vehicle’s range in half, especially in a region where distances are immense.”

Some EV models are reportedly better in the cold than others, but all suffer from decreased range and longer charging times.

Tesla, marketed as a cold-weather friendly model in South Korea, was recently fined by the government for exaggerating the wintertime range of their cars, when testing and experience showed the vehicles’ range dropped far faster and steeper than what Tesla claimed in its advertisements.

In Juneau, Alaska, the city’s first electric public bus could not hold a battery charge long enough to finish its route on the cold days, and requires a heated garage.

Winter is tough on any battery, and increased demand for home-heating also puts strain on the electric grid. This is true in the summer as well, as Californians found out from a Flex notification from the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) last summer, covered by Climate Realism, here. Californians were informed that they should not charge their EVs during heat waves, because it will overload the grid as expected air conditioning use rises.

CAISO told utility customers:

“…grid operators again ask the public to conserve electricity to help balance supply and demand on the grid and avoid service disruptions due to extreme heat across much of the Southwest.”

…

“Pre-charge electronic devices · Close window coverings to keep your home or apartment cool · Pre-charge electric vehicles”

While some EVs do fine when a home has the ability to place the car in a heated garage, or a more expensive model EV with battery-heating technology is used, this won’t work for everyone in places where even gasoline cars can struggle. Both extreme cold and extreme heat can drain batteries quickly, making locations with extended periods of very cold or hot temperatures less than ideal for EV use. Long distances between population centers, harsh subzero temperatures, and suboptimal road conditions all make EVs less appealing. Political mandates that stop the sale of combustion engine vehicles in these parts of the world before EV technologies have improved may not just be inconvenient or expensive, but may actually be deadly. The Globe and Mail is right to point out these weaknesses in EVs, instead of merely flattering EV manufacturers and virtue signaling for climate alarmists.