Why do electric cars lose range in winter?

Heating the cabin takes energy, and a cold battery works less efficiently. In a Norwegian winter test, 23 cars lost 21.7% on average against their WLTP range.

Explained in

eMobility and EV basics · Stop 06What does range depend on?Speed, temperature, heating and height: why the range on the display moves, how the official WLTP figure is measured, and what a Norwegian winter test showed.
  • Speed. The force of air drag grows with the square of speed, and the power is force times speed, so the power for air drag grows with the cube of speed. In the example car, air drag becomes the larger force above about 80 km/h.
  • Temperature. Heating the cabin takes energy, and a cold battery works less efficiently. Heating cabin and battery takes energy from the battery, and the battery works best at about 20 to 40 °C; many manufacturers offer a heat pump as an extra, which ADAC calls a sensible investment where winter range matters.
  • Height. Climbing stores energy that regeneration recovers only in part (stop 05).
  • Load. More weight adds rolling resistance and energy for every climb and acceleration.
From “Four things that cost range”, stop 06

Terms

  1. Regenerative brakingSlowing down with the motor working as a generator, which returns part of the car's energy of motion or height to the battery.
  2. WLTPThe test procedure set in EU law for consumption and range: a 30-minute cycle at an average of 46.5 km/h.
  3. Heat pumpA heater that moves heat from outside air into the cabin and needs less electricity for the same warmth than a simple electric heater.
  1. Why does range drop on the motorway?Air drag grows with the square of speed, and the power needed with its cube. Above about 100 km/h, it dominates consumption.
  2. What is the difference between a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid?A hybrid takes all its energy from fuel; its small battery is filled by the engine and by braking. A plug-in hybrid also charges from the grid, so everyday distances can run on electricity.
  3. What is the difference between LFP and NMC batteries?NMC stores more energy per kilogram. LFP contains no cobalt and costs less: in 2025, LFP packs were on average more than 40% cheaper per kWh.
  4. What is the difference between kW and kWh?kWh is an amount of energy, for example what the battery holds. kW is a rate, how fast energy flows; time equals energy divided by power.
  1. LEIFIphysik (FWU Institut für Film und Bild): Grundwissen: Luftreibung, air drag grows with the square of speed. https://www.leifiphysik.de/mechanik/reibung-und-fortbewegung/grundwissen/luftreibung. Checked 13 Oct 2026.
  2. LEIFIphysik (FWU Institut für Film und Bild): Grundwissen: Leistung, P = F · v. https://www.leifiphysik.de/mechanik/arbeit-energie-und-leistung/grundwissen/leistung. Checked 13 Oct 2026.
  3. ADAC: E-Auto im Winter: mehr Verbrauch, weniger Reichweite (heating, battery temperature, preheating on the grid). https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/elektromobilitaet/laden/elektroauto-reichweite-winter/. Checked 13 Oct 2026.