1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

EV Battery Charge and Cold Weather

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Cherazi, Jan 3, 2013.

  1. Cherazi

    Cherazi New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2013
    4
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I live in Los Angeles and charge my car outside. I used to get about 13 miles at full charge. Recently the temperatures have dropped to around 40s and my full charge has dropped to about 9 miles, is this something I should accept? Does temperature have such a significant impact on the EV?
     
  2. priuskitty

    priuskitty PIP FAN

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2011
    2,286
    335
    0
    Location:
    Clawson, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    EV miles is an average of your MPH during EV travel. If you drive slower consistently your average EV miles will go up. Faster, will go down. And Yes colder temps will give you lower averages too
     
  3. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    3,779
    1,282
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Don't feel bad my regular Prius droped about 2-4 MPG when the temps dropped below 40 in San Diego.
     
  4. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2004
    14,487
    2,994
    0
    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    The battery is charged about the same amount. The estimated EV range dropped due to the colder temp -- heating, tire pressure drop, denser air to push, etc..
     
  5. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2009
    2,933
    2,286
    0
    Location:
    Silicon Valley
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    The major effect of a reduced EV miles numbers is due to actually driving fewer miles on a full charge (more use of heat, defrost, seat heaters, lights, colder tires, denser air, etc)

    But, as I've noted elsewhere, I have seen a drop in the Chargepoint reported kwh for a full charge as it has gotten colder*. It is probably a combination of things, but could be:
    - more efficient to charge (hence less losses) when it is colder
    - battery takes fewer kwh when colder (chemistry/physics of battery)
    - software programmed change in charging based on air temp
    - watt meter change in accuracy in colder temp


    *same charging station...
    Summer (~80F): 2.90 - 2.95 kwh (10+ readings)
    Winter (~45F) 2.78 kwh (3 readings)

    This is a 4-6% change in the amount of wall socket power measured for a full charge. If the major effect is not due to a better charging efficiency, then this could result in about 0.5 miles lower EV range during cold weather just due to less energy stored in the battery.

    Mike
     
    Andyprius # 1 and usbseawolf2000 like this.
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    check out the faq sticky for: why are my ev miles dropping?