Less range in winter? This is normal (and this is not)

1. Why cold reduces the range

A battery is chemistry, and chemistry works slower in the cold: the battery can deliver less energy and takes it in more slowly when charging. On top of that comes winter's biggest power consumer: the heating. Where a petrol engine has free waste heat, an EV has to take the cabin heat from the battery. Short trips are the hardest — the car keeps reheating a cold cabin and a cold battery.

2. How much loss is normal?

As a rule of thumb: 10 to 30% less range around freezing temperatures is completely normal — the exact loss depends on the model, trip length and whether the car has a heat pump. Important to know:

• The loss is temporary — in spring the range simply comes back
• A heat pump makes a big difference, especially on long trips
• Fast charging is slower in the cold; that is protection, not a defect
• The health (SOH) of the battery does not change — only the momentary range

3. What you can do yourself

• Preheat while plugged in — the cabin gets warm on grid power instead of battery power
• Seat and steering wheel heating use far less energy than heating the whole cabin
• Keep tyre pressure up — cold air shrinks, soft tyres roll heavier
• Eco mode and gentle driving while the battery is cold
• Charge shortly before departure — a battery that has just charged is already a bit warm

4. When is less range NOT normal?

Cold explains a temporary dip — not a permanent loss. If the range clearly stays behind what the car once achieved even in spring weather, that is a sign of battery wear, and that is measurable.