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These 5 EVs Perform Way Worse In Cold Weather
These are the electric cars to avoid if you drive in temperatures below freezing. The average EV retains 80% of its range at freezing temperatures, but some drop a lot more.
After examining data from more than 18,000 electric vehicles that were used over the winter in 2024 and 2025, Recurrent Auto found that EVs with heat pumps retain a lot more of their range at freezing temperatures versus those that use low-tech resistance heaters.
On average, EVs with heat pumps deliver 83% of their stated range when temps drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) while those without heat pumps retain 75% of their range.
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The Chevrolet Equinox EV is another surprise on the list, retaining 74% of its range in the cold. Chevy’s electric crossover uses a heat pump which is supposed to be more efficient. General Motors hasn't provided any guidance regarding the reason behind the poor cold-weather performance nor if an update could help rectify the issue.
It’s surprising to see the Cadillac Lyriq so close to the bottom of this list of the EVs that lose the most range in the cold. Not only is the Lyriq a fresh design, it’s also equipped with a heat pump like the Chevrolet Equinox. Still, Recurrent Auto says Cadillac’s electric crossover retains 72% of its range in freezing temperatures.
The Chevrolet Bolt, which is one of the oldest vehicles on the list, retains 69% of its range when the temperatures hit zero. The Bolt uses a low-tech resistance heating system that isn’t as efficient as a heat pump. The Bolt offers an EPA-estimated 259 miles of range, though that’s clearly dependent on the outside temperature.
Next up is the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which also lacks a heat pump. The Mach-E retains 66% of its range at freezing temperatures, but that’s a far cry from the 86% that the Tesla Model Y, Ford’s biggest competitor for the Mach-E and the best-selling EV in America, manages to retain. Some versions of the Mach-E are estimated to deliver up to 305 miles per charge in ideal conditions.
In last place is the Volkswagen ID.4, which is not equipped with a heat pump. Recurrent Auto says the 2021 version of VW’s electric crossover retains just 63% of its range when temps hit freezing. Interestingly, the Audi E-Tron that comes from the same VW Group parent company performs much better by retaining 87% of its range in cold weather. The ID.4 Pro with an 82-kWh battery is estimated to deliver 260 miles of range, but cold temperatures will lower that figure by a significant amount.
