Overview
- With temperatures plunging, ADAC and ÖAMTC measurements show parked EVs typically use about 1.5–2 kWh per hour to hold 20°C near minus 10°C, allowing hours of heat if the battery is well charged.
- A Canadian YouTube test documented a Tesla Model 3 losing about 36% charge (around 30 kWh) over 12 hours at roughly minus 18°C with heating on, illustrating a worst‑case drain scenario.
- Geotab’s review of more than three million trips finds higher speed is the chief range killer, with slowing by about 16–24 km/h boosting range by over 20% in many cases and HVAC playing a smaller role at cruising speeds.
- ADAC reiterates winter preparedness advice, urging drivers to carry warm supplies, preheat EVs while plugged in, and for combustion cars to keep at least one‑third of a tank during extreme conditions.
- Expect notable winter range penalties for EVs—often 10–30% in typical use and higher on short, very cold trips—while combustion cars also burn more fuel in cold and can consume roughly 1–1.5 liters per hour when idling for heat.