I found this interesting, regarding the cold...........

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demarpaint said:
I saw this on the news this morning, and then checked online.
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EV drivers struggle to keep batteries charged
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Ive had zero issues with my ev6 GT. -2f at present.

Advantages to EV:

-Instant heat.
-Superior traction on snow and ice.
-Superior if you get gridlocked in traffic or truly do get stuck. It will keep you warm for days without suffocating you with carbon monoxide.
-Can power the essentials in your home for days on end if the power goes out.

Disadvantages:

-If you don't charge at home, some charging networks are less than stellar reliable.
-You tend to have to witness stupidity and ignorance on a mass scale online from people who know nothing about an EV, much less own one.

After owning multiple EVs and putting a total of 40k miles on them, as well as owning multiple ICE cars over the years, I prefer EV strongly for sub zero temps and snow.
 
I am surprised this hasn't been an issue before. Perhaps more of them on the road now. But this is something I've thought about and couldn't figure out how they were getting around the issue of "cold and batteries don't mix well". Has anyone used their phone for a flashlight to look under the hood and set it aside for a few minutes? The battery charge goes down so rapidly.

EDIT: It just occurred to me that many people use their garage for car parking instead of projects. But even with that, what about the car sitting outside at work all day?
 
whiplash473 said:
Getting stuck is sort of a wash since they all have wheels and tires. However, I've never had an issue starting any of my vehicles in negative-degree temps if proper maintenance is kept up.
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Ive found EVs are better on ice than even my acura with sh-AWD. This is because you can modulate throttle perfectly, with zero driveline shock from tq converter, turbo boost, shifting, or cam surge at low speeds with a manual. This allows superior traction on very slick surfaces. My c40 got me home through the Ozark mountains, 20% plus hills with mid descent corners, etc in an ice storm so bad I could barely stand on the road. I have no clue how that car on PSAS4s stayed on the road. None of my ice cars could have come close.
 
I sat at the gate at O'hare on Sunday and waited 2.5 hours for fuel because 50% of the fuel trucks wouldn't run.

It isn't just BEV's that have a hard time when it's that cold.

Where was the news crew?
 
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Ws6 said:
Ive found EVs are better on ice than even my acura with sh-AWD. This is because you can modulate throttle perfectly, with zero driveline shock from tq converter, turbo boost, shifting, or cam surge at low speeds with a manual. This allows superior traction on very slick surfaces. My c40 got me home through the Ozark mountains, 20% plus hills with mid descent corners, etc in an ice storm so bad I could barely stand on the road. I have no clue how that car on PSAS4s stayed on the road. None of my ice cars could have come close.
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Interesting point. I've never driven one for any decent length of time, much less in terrible conditions.

Weight may also be a factor in that. I'd imagine (I have not checked) that an EV is heavier than a comparable combustion vehicle.
 
My son (who lives in Northern Vermont, and has solar power, and is engaged to a young lady who works in the solar power industry) and I were talking about an EV for them. I think a EV makes sense, given their power, and how they drive most of the time.

They have his 2001 Volvo (that I rebuilt and is running strong at 130,000 miles) and her 2016 Subaru with 180,000. He works from home, so, most of the time, he doesn’t even need a car. They can charge at home, and their power is subsidized by the solar.

At some point in the next year or two, they anticipate replacing the Subaru.

Now, when he does need a car, it is often for a 250 mile or greater trip, with no convenient charging on the far end (visiting his soon to be in-laws in CT, or getting to Boston airport for a flight, as examples). So, range is a consideration, as is charging when arriving at destination.

And when it gets to -25F, as it has been more than once, or even down to 0F, there is a concern about range reduction.

Long story short - not yet. Cold performance and range are too big of a concern for them.

It’s not about ”EV Good” vs. “EV Bad” for them, it‘s the reality of where they live, even with the ability to charge at home at a reduced rate.
 
oil pan 4 said:
It's 0F this morning. I drove my gas guzzling Dodge Dakota. Left the leaf at home.
Even the Dodge heat is a bit weak at zero effs.
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Is that a Dodge issue? I've owned dozens of vehicles in my life and lived in areas where 0F and below are normal occurrences during the winter months. Never have I had a vehicle that's operating properly have issues with heat at 0F. Just takes a bit longer to get to operating temp. But I've also never owned a Dodge.
 
BISCUT said:
Is that a Dodge issue? I've owned dozens of vehicles in my life and lived in areas where 0F and below are normal occurrences during the winter months. Never have I had a vehicle that's operating properly have issues with heat at 0F. Just takes a bit longer to get to operating temp. But I've also never owned a Dodge.
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Might be…I will say that this is one area where Volvo is amazing. In 0F, the old 240 would be making heat at 1/4 mile into the drive. The coolant loop circulated coolant through the heater core even with the thermostat closed. So, the instant the engine began to warm up, so did the people inside the car.

It’s almost like the car was designed by people who live where it is cold…
 
BISCUT said:
Is that a Dodge issue? I've owned dozens of vehicles in my life and lived in areas where 0F and below are normal occurrences during the winter months. Never have I had a vehicle that's operating properly have issues with heat at 0F. Just takes a bit longer to get to operating temp. But I've also never owned a Dodge.
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VW TDI's of yore have a problem making enough waste heat because they are so efficient. I watched my coolant gauge fall to almost nothing on a 1 mile downhill. My uncle's 12V Cummin Ram was similar, diesels need to work somewhat hard to make heat. Even trolling down the highway empty is not enough in 0F unless you block off the front. The Colorado is kinda like that, you can feel the difference vs. highway & putting through the city.
 
This article was about the wait lines getting to a charger; my car suggested I pick a different location once due to full Superchargers. The algorithm forecasts availability.
Charging issues are the #1 reason people go back to ICE from EV.
These cars are not for everyone. Just because our Model 3 works for me doesn't mean it will be a good choice for everyone.

The linked article added O'Hare's ATS transport system was down for some time as well.
 
Trav said:
I have to go to Boston later today and it is snowing. I have a full tank and the ICE is going to start first turn of the key and make plenty of heat within a mile. If it was an ev out there I would not feel very confident in getting back.
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Exactly. You need to understand how these cars fuel up to avoid problems. I am not familiar with other EV makes, but Tesla's Supercharger network is a big advantage, but there can be wait times, even in places like California that have a lot of Superchargers.

I have seen lines; I would hate to be waiting. In sub-zero temperatures, it could be really dangerous.
 
alarmguy said:
You beat me to it, but I didn’t feel like getting out of bed this morning.
I wonder what the few promoters in here will try to do to justify more facts just like the Fox News thread I posted a couple days ago.

Unbelievable how people can deny facts.
I cant help but to believe this is going to put a significant dent in future sales of electric vehicles. We may not notice it on paper, but let’s face it people who live in these cold areas are getting an education on how EV’s behave in the cold.

The cold wave isn’t even on the East Coast yet and will just be approaching the East Coast starting tomorrow with another cold wave coming in on top of that on Friday.

The lack of critical thinking from people denying this limitation just amazes me, but the public got an education today and it will continue for the coming week.
This is a good thing before people start getting stranded and God forbid find themselves in some medical situation from a dead battery.

There’s nothing wrong with electric vehicles as long as you know the limitations compared to ice vehicles.
For most people in the cold north, this would mean dependable gasoline primary vehicle for extreme weather.

And about that second cold wave coming to the Carolinas on Friday?
This weekend weather forecast is to have low temperatures in the upper teens in the Carolinas and much colder up the coast to Maine.
if you need to rely on an electric vehicle for long distance travel you should prepare and be aware of the limitations.
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There is a difference between knowing the limitation and testing it vs. just being an ignorant buffoon like the general public tends to be in all things.

There should be a litmus test for procreating, and you'd find a lot of these problems would disappear however eugenics isn't a popular subject.

Some people think cars are an appliance that is either on or off and unfortunately EVs validate that somewhat. They are like my wife, get in, go, complain when it doesn't work, don't tell me for 3 weeks, or and I need gas and the range is 0. :cautious:

If I had to get an EV I wouldn't rely on one charging network even if it was free but some people refuse to think critically as you said, like my wife. :ROFLMAO:
 
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