I figure 20F is just sufficient to prove their thesis (effects of cold on EV cars). I don't think it purports to be an all-encompassing study, especially since there are variables like cabin heating which can have significant effects on range in lower temperatures.
At even colder temps than that EV batteries start having even more problems, for example they become permanently damaged if charged at freezing temps or below, so even more energy has to be used to heat the batteries for the batteries to be able to accept a charge.
Easily mitigated by good charging practices (eg: charge when you finish a drive and the car/battery is still warm, not after leaving it in the cold overnight)
Yes, in very cold conditions, regen braking can be reduced/restricted until the battery warms up sufficiently. The car will warn you about this, so hopefully no surprises!
Agreed, and that’s as someone who grew up in North Dakota and now lives in the milder northeast US, near the ocean.
’d also be interested in seeing it colder for trips back to ND, sure. But the majority of folks in the US live in places where it isn’t as brutal as a North Dakotan winter, so doing a study at 20 F seems reasonable to me.
