As you know, electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular. More and more car brands are jumping on the EV trend with announcements for new EV series happening all the time. One of the big questions involving the future of EVs is when we are going to see electricity as the only choice of energy we can get for our cars. While this question remains unanswered, there are quite a few options today if you are looking to go green.
With the start of Winter just two days away, the question arises how well these gasless machines work in the cold weather climate. What happens if you live in a cold area, especially one with a lot of snow? Will your EV be fine? How are Electric Vehicles on snowy roads? With these questions in mind, we wanted to explore further the advantages and disadvantages of owning an EV in the winter.
Advantages of EVs
One positive about EVs is that their batteries are large and heavy which makes their weight suitable for winter driving conditions. Heavy vehicles have better traction on snow and ice. Also, electric engines are gearless, making getting up slowly on snow or ice effortless.
As we have all experienced on a cold morning day, air-dependent gasoline engines take a few minutes to warm up. However, this is not the case with electric vehicles as their engine takes no time at all to warm up.
Another advantage is that most EVs come equipped with active thermal management which can be accessed through an app. This allows for EVs to be warmed up without the need for an engine start. This allows the windows and mirrors to defrost for visibility. The owner can also control many of the vehicle’s actions like turning on the heating right from their phone without even going to the car.
The owner can do all of this while the vehicle is plugged in, to prevent wasting battery life. Unlike gasoline vehicles, there is no loss of emissions when you take that extra time in the morning to warm up your car.
Disadvantages of EVs
Now that we looked at the many advantages electric vehicles have in cold winter conditions, it’s time to take a look at some of the disadvantages.
EVs typically come equipped with tires with higher pressure for lower energy consumption and low rolling resistance. This provides less traction than softer alternatives. These high pressure tires are terrible for harsh winter weather.
Another disadvantage when it comes to winter driving is instant electric torque. With internal combustion engines, they need to rev itself up slowly to reach higher torque numbers. With EVs, it’s either on or off, so it’s instant. This creates a skidding problem at standing starts and could be very dangerous for new or inexperienced drivers.
Another disadvantage is that according to professionals, cold winter weather may reduce an EV’s range by up to 40%. Features often used in cold weather like the AC, heated seats and steering wheel can contribute to even more reduction in electric range. If you have a hybrid vehicle, chances are it won’t use its electric battery much in the cold because of their high energy demands. The downside to this is that the fuel economy may not benefit as much in the hotter weather.
So, are Electric Vehicles a good choice in the winter?
After analysis, yes, it appears electric vehicles are a fine choice for cold winter conditions. With the electric vehicle continually evolving, and the new entry of different models into the market, they are getting better all the time. With improvements every year, cold weather will affect EVs less and less as new technology is developed.
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As electric vehicles are becoming more mainstream, you may be wondering if their prices are ever going to decrease. According to Kelley Blue Book the average price of an electric vehicle in the United States for August 2022 was $66,000. While we keep hearing how much better EVs are for a healthy environment, not everybody has that kind of money lying around to spend. Fortunately, the outlook for EVs in 2023 looks a little better.
Though generally still more expensive than comparable gasoline vehicles, there are some 2023 EV models that are available now that won’t break the bank.
Below is a list of the top four most affordable EVs you can buy, listed by cheapest to most expensive.
Chevrolet Bolt EV, EUV
Starting price: $26,595
EPA-estimated range: 247-259 miles
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV saw a $5,900 price cut ahead of their summer production start date making them the most affordable all-electric vehicles you can buy, with a starting price of $26,595. GM is also offering to help buyers with the cost to install a 240-volt home charger.
Nissan Leaf
Starting price: $28,895
EPA-estimated range: 149-212 miles
The Nissan Leaf was one of the first fully electric vehicles available nationwide when it rolled out in the U.S. as a 2011 model. Today, the 2023 Leaf is a small four-door hatchback, and has improved range and added safety tech. Over the years the Nissan Leaf has also gotten a longer-range sibling with a bigger battery, the Leaf Plus. In 2023, the Leaf’s lineup is simplified to a standard-range Leaf S and longer-range Leaf SV Plus. The Starting price of the 2023 Nissan Leaf is $28,895.
Mazda MX-30
Starting price: $34,695
EPA-estimated range: 100 miles
The MX-30 was Mazda’s first full EV sold in the U.S. and went on sale in California in October, with a national rollout expected “over the coming years,” according to the automaker. The interior of the vehicle includes environmentally friendly materials like cork in the center console, animal-free upholstery and recycled plastic bottle fibers for the door trim. The Mazda MX-30 only has an overall range of 100 miles, but Mazda throws in a few other perks such as preset number of complimentary loaner vehicles for road trips, and $500 in ChargePoint credits. The starting price for the Mazda MX-30 is $34,695.
Hyundai Kona Electric
Starting price: $34,845
EPA-estimated range: 258 miles
This four-door subcompact SUV shares a similar style and interior layout with the ICE Kona. The Kona is equipped with DC fast-charging capability that can go from 10% to 80% charge in as little as 47 minutes. For 2022, the Kona line was freshened with the Kona Electric getting its own styling updates and wheels, plus interior changes. The Kona Electric remains mostly unchanged for 2023. The Kona Electric is only offered at dealers in a limited number of states, specifically those with targets for zero-emission vehicle sales. The starting price for the Kona Electric is $34,845.
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