Importance Score: 82 / 100 🟢
Navigating icy terrain can be treacherous, even for seasoned drivers. While road testing the Volvo EX30 Cross Country, this journalist experienced a loss of control on a frozen lake outside Lulea, northern Sweden, highlighting the delicate balance required when piloting any vehicle in wintry conditions. Pushing the electric vehicle towards its limits, a corner entered with excessive speed and delayed braking resulted in the tires losing traction, initiating an unexpected spin. Despite efforts to regain command, physics prevailed, transforming a planned drift into a complete 360-degree rotation that concluded in a soft snowdrift off the designated track.
Fortunately, the powdery snowfall provided ample cushioning, ensuring no injuries were sustained, and the Volvo EX30 Cross Country electric SUV remained undamaged. The location, a frozen lake approximately two hours from Lulea, served as Volvo’s challenging proving ground to evaluate its latest electric vehicle under demanding winter circumstances.
The invitation to test drive in such an environment was undoubtedly alluring and enjoyable; however, it presented a critical opportunity to personally validate a fundamental aspect of electric vehicles: that EVs are not merely functional in winter, but can excel in harsh, frigid environments.
Electric Vehicles in Winter: Dispelling Common Myths
The era of electric vehicles as a rarity on roadways has long passed. Projections for 2024 indicated over 1.2 million electric cars sold in the US, a considerable surge from the estimated 326,000 units sold in 2019. Electric cars have proven their status beyond a niche novelty; they are established vehicles delivering pleasurable, dependable, zero-emission transportation to millions globally, regardless of weather conditions.
Nevertheless, misunderstandings persist concerning driving EVs, particularly throughout colder seasons. A quick online search reveals numerous news reports detailing “stranded EV drivers in snowstorms,” articles about EV owners “struggling with the cold,” and various online videos and forum discussions – often disseminating inaccurate or deceptive information. These sources collectively suggest to prospective EV owners that gasoline-powered cars are superior choices for winter driving.
Upon informing a friend about an impending Arctic EV driving trip, the immediate question was, “Do those even function in the cold?”
The core answer is unequivocally affirmative. While complete eradication of EV misconceptions may be unattainable, individuals questioning an EV’s cold-weather resilience need only consider Norway. Despite its severe winter temperatures, electric vehicles constituted nearly 90% of all new car purchases in Norway in 2024.
“Electric vehicles are consistently improving,” Maria Cecilia Pinto de Moura, a scientist with the Clean Transportation program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, explained, “with advancements in battery technology reducing EV costs and extending their operational range.”
In actuality, all vehicles encounter increased difficulties during winter, irrespective of their power source. Lower temperatures diminish any vehicle’s efficiency, while icy roads reduce friction, elevating accident risks. This is particularly pertinent for individuals in rural areas, who typically depend on their vehicles for extended commutes, often across more challenging road conditions compared to urban drivers.
While EV drivers might encounter distinct challenges compared to conventional gasoline vehicle operators – notably fewer public charging locations – operating electric cars in demanding winter environments is entirely feasible.
To ascertain how EVs can thrive in cold climates, a journey was undertaken to Volvo’s Swedish homeland to test drive their latest electric models. The objective was to assess their performance on snow-covered roads and in freezing temperatures, and to identify effective strategies for EV owners to optimize their vehicle’s winter range.
EVs vs. Gas Cars: Winter Driving Dynamics
Despite divergent power systems, in many operational respects, EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) cars exhibit surprising similarities on the road. In certain aspects, EVs may even offer enhanced safety. Their substantial battery packs typically contribute to greater overall weight, which, while potentially increasing braking distances, can also improve traction in slippery conditions. Predominantly, electric vehicles across brands – including Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Tesla, Volvo, VW, and a growing number of others – feature batteries positioned low within the chassis.
This configuration results in a more balanced weight distribution and a lower center of gravity, lending a stable stance and enhanced grip across all wheels. Complementing this are electric motors, which deliver instantaneous torque, enabling smoother acceleration without loss of traction. Numerous EVs also incorporate dual motors, independently powering front and rear wheels, further augmenting traction in adverse conditions.
Still, initial apprehension arose when first taking the wheel of a Volvo EX90 in northern Sweden for a lengthy cross-country drive. Winding roads were bordered by substantial snowdrifts, lane markings were obscured beneath densely packed snow, and a disorienting moment occurred when glancing at the navigation system, realizing the route proceeded directly across a vast, frozen lake – effectively transformed into a road for the winter season.
However, such concerns proved unwarranted. Driving in these conditions felt not only secure but remarkably… ordinary. Almost uneventful.
The enhanced grip from instant torque and dual-motor all-wheel drive was evident during every intersection departure. The vehicle’s grounded feel, resulting from its significant 2,800kg (6,200 pound) weight, instilled confidence and prevented any sensation of traction loss while cornering. The journey maintained the enjoyment of any typical drive, requiring minimal adjustments for snow beyond maintaining appropriate speed.
On one occasion, a co-driver had to brake sharply to avoid reindeer resting on the roadway. Applying hard braking, the car decelerated effectively, and the reindeer calmly rose and moved aside. No drama, no skidding off-road, and no vehicle damage.
The driving dynamic shifted upon arrival at a frozen lake where Volvo had prepared an ice track to assess vehicle performance off-road. Here, the objective shifted from validating normal winter EV driving to exploring vehicle limits, and frankly, enjoying controlled skidding. It proved exhilarating. Track driving with performance cars, typically focused on preventing slides and barrier impacts, contrasts sharply with ice driving.
On ice, intentionally initiating slides became the aim. The sensation of entering a corner, quickly flicking the steering wheel, and feeling the rear tires lose grip – transitioning into a controlled drift – evoked a sense of channeling the spirit of the renowned Ken Block. Success varied; occasionally, drifts were managed despite traction control interventions, while other attempts resulted in harmless snowbank incursions off-track.
This “controlled recklessness” was a novel driving experience, typically prohibited or hazardous in normal circumstances. However, on a closed track in a secure environment, conventional limits were suspended.
Remarkably, even on ice, significant control remained, especially when driven at sensible speeds. At normal velocities, the car navigated the track with surprising composure. Wheel spin during acceleration from a standstill was minimal, and braking responded predictably.
Winter Tire Importance for EV Performance
Crucially, the test vehicles – Volvo EX90 and EX30 Cross Country – were equipped with studded winter tires, which are paramount in such conditions. Personal experience driving snow-laden roads without winter tires underscored how perilous it can be.
In 2019, a road trip in a VW Golf R (a gasoline vehicle) from Geneva, Switzerland, across Europe to London, turned precarious. A high-altitude mountain pass was attempted. While road signs indicated many routes were closed, the required Julier Pass was marked “open.” Ascending the pass, the dynamic road curves and increasingly impressive vistas were initially enjoyable. However, with altitude gain, road and roadside snow accumulation intensified.
Reducing speed to compensate for diminished traction seemed prudent, trusting the Golf’s all-wheel drive to manage. This proved incorrect when gently testing the brakes, finding them virtually ineffective – as was steering. Panic began to set in as control diminished, making each subsequent corner increasingly challenging.
At this juncture, the decision was made to unbuckle the seatbelt and keep a hand poised on the door handle. Convinced the next bend would send the car sliding off the mountain edge, preparation was made to exit the vehicle, sacrificing the car and luggage for personal safety.
The impending bend arrived, and the car fortuitously slid into a snowdrift, halting with a minor impact. A U-turn and descent followed, finding refuge in a nearby hotel to recover and calm nerves.
This incident served as a significant lesson in winter driving for any vehicle. First, tire suitability for snowy conditions was overlooked. Second, the “open” road status was mistakenly interpreted as safe for all vehicles. It merely indicated no physical barriers, not inherent safety, mandating greater caution and appropriate vehicles with winter tires, studs, or snow chains.
This lesson was vividly recalled during a 4,000-mile journey in a Lotus Eletre EV to Barcelona the previous year. After a charging stop at a rural northern Spain station, a route through forests leading into hills was selected. Rapid snowfall accumulation triggered familiar alarms, prompting a course reversal and alternative route planning.
This time, however, the predicament involved an EV, not a gasoline car. Charging point calculations were based on the initial route. Reversing and rerouting significantly increased the planned distance, abruptly raising range anxiety.
Electric Vehicle Range Performance in Cold Weather
An EV’s range is a primary consideration for prospective buyers, and concerns about battery range reduction in cold temperatures are understandable. No one desires to be stranded due to unexpected range depletion, especially when replicating summer routes in winter. A 2024 Canadian Automobile Association survey revealed that over two-thirds of Canadians cite winter range reduction as a major EV concern.
Battery performance undeniably decreases in colder temperatures. Cold conditions thicken the electrolyte fluid in lithium-ion batteries (prevalent in EVs), impeding lithium-ion movement between anode and cathode.
In simpler terms, cold temperatures reduce a battery’s charge capacity. Studies indicate EVs can lose up to 25% of their maximum range in freezing temperatures. Beyond range, battery inefficiency also slows charging, potentially extending charging times at public stations.
Before reconsidering EV purchases, context is crucial. While EVs can experience up to 25% range reduction in cold, some studies show gasoline cars can suffer up to 20% fuel efficiency loss under similar conditions. Both electric motors and internal combustion engines exhibit reduced efficiency from cold starts. Batteries are inefficient cold, as are internal combustion engine components and fluids. Efficiency improves upon reaching operating temperature.
Combustion engines generate substantial heat during operation, providing “free” cabin heat. EVs produce minimal natural heat, necessitating artificial cabin and battery heating via electric heaters powered by the car’s battery, potentially draining range significantly.
Simple solutions exist. Most EVs allow preheating activation remotely via smartphone apps. This “preconditioning” warms the car while still plugged in, drawing grid energy and preserving full battery range for driving. With a pre-warmed cabin, heated seats might suffice for warmth, minimizing battery-draining interior heater use.
Indoor, heated garage parking significantly aids EV readiness, although not universally accessible. For outdoor parking, snow removal or protective covers during extended periods can accelerate battery conditioning.
EV technology rapidly advances. Regenerative braking, standard on most EVs, converts electric motors into generators during deceleration, recapturing energy for battery replenishment. Estimates suggest regenerative braking can recover up to 20% of EV range, while also reducing brake wear.
Many newer EVs now offer heat pumps, either standard or optional. Similar to home or office heat pumps, EV heat pumps efficiently transfer heat between batteries and cabin, using less energy than traditional electric heaters. Heat pumps are vital for optimal EV and battery performance, making them a worthwhile option for winter-conscious EV buyers.
Battery technology itself continuously improves for all-weather performance. Volvo’s battery testing facility in Gothenburg, Sweden, showcases vast chambers resembling walk-in ovens. These chambers subject battery cell stacks to temperature cycling from -30 to 70 degrees Celsius (-20 to 158 Fahrenheit), with varying humidity levels.
Battery cells undergo charge and discharge cycles simulating real-world usage. This facilitates Volvo engineers’ understanding of temperature impacts on battery performance, optimization strategies for diverse conditions, and enhancing overall battery longevity in any climate or season.
While Volvo is not unique in possessing these facilities, its location in a country experiencing both extreme cold (-20 Celsius/-4 Fahrenheit) and heat (30 Celsius/86 Fahrenheit) offers a natural advantage in developing EVs adaptable to diverse climates.
“We are still learning how battery electric vehicles are to be optimized for different temperatures, including cold climates,” stated Karin Almqvist, Volvo’s head of propulsion and energy. “Developing cars in a country with extreme subzero temperatures provides a distinct advantage, building upon extensive historical knowledge.”
Addressing the Rural EV Range Challenge
While EV range is a universal purchasing concern, for rural drivers, extended range holds even greater significance. Rural residences are often farther from amenities, workplaces, and services, resulting in longer commutes compared to urban drivers. Public transportation is typically less accessible or nonexistent, increasing reliance on personal vehicles beyond urban levels.
Terrain also contributes. Steeper inclines, winding roads, and greater weather exposure make rural routes less fuel-efficient for all vehicle types. Combined with limited rural charging infrastructure, it’s understandable why EV adoption rates are 40% lower in rural US areas versus urban zones.
Consequently, long vehicle range becomes even more crucial for rural drivers, amplifying the impact of cold weather. Yet, even in these contexts, rural EV ownership can thrive.
In 2024, Pinto de Moura from the Union of Concerned Scientists interviewed rural EV owners across harsh winter regions, including Alaska, Michigan, and Virginia. She found that despite challenging conditions, all drivers reported comfortably operating EVs in all weather, even extreme Alaskan winters.
However, Pinto de Moura’s research confirmed that rural public charging station availability remains a problem. Extended cold-weather journeys, while achievable, demand more meticulous planning to mitigate range anxiety. This reinforces findings from a 2024 Plug In America survey, indicating that most EV drivers in cold states felt confident undertaking long drives but acknowledged the need for extra planning steps.
“Range is clearly a major concern for winter driving,” Pinto de Moura emphasized. “Given rural driving patterns, it’s logical that range anxiety is more pronounced in rural contexts.”
Nevertheless, average EV range has more than tripled in the past decade. Current models like the Lucid Air offer ranges exceeding 500 miles per charge. This represents a significant leap from the 2014 Nissan Leaf’s meager 84-mile range, which was often optimistic in real-world driving.
Alongside range improvements, public charging point numbers have dramatically increased. The Federal Highway Authority reported in August 2024 that US public charging points had doubled in three years, reaching approximately 190,000 at the time of the report.
In 2015, personal experience of rural UK EV driving revealed infrastructural limitations. While urban public chargers were emerging, and some existed along major highways, rural areas were underserved. In 2015, the UK had roughly 2,200 public EV charging points, expanding to over 73,000 by late 2024.
A Nissan Leaf test journey, with a theoretical 100-mile range (realistically closer to 70), necessitated numerous charging stops for a 500-mile trip.
Finding chargers proved difficult, and finding fast chargers even more so. An early stop at a Nissan dealership – the sole area charger – opened over an hour after anticipated arrival, requiring an unplanned prior stop. A later hotel, advertising EV charging, offered only a non-functioning extension cord attached to a fence.
The return trip worsened. A carefully planned charging stop at a major gas station revealed the sole charger was out of service, and helpline assistance proved unhelpful. Ultimately, the car required towing to a functional charging station. It was a debacle.
Toward Anxiety-Free Electric Vehicle Operation
Fast forward to 2023 and a thousands-mile journey across the UK and Europe in a VW ID5. The car’s 300+ mile quoted range, coupled with abundant fast chargers, particularly on French highways, transformed long-distance EV travel into a seamless, anxiety-free experience. This journey solidified the viability of extensive electric-powered travel.
The Volvo winter driving experience in Sweden demonstrated that winter EV driving need not be more complex than operating gasoline vehicles. In fact, experiencing their electric cars on public roads and frozen racetracks underscored that EVs can feel secure and enjoyable even under extreme driving conditions.
Range – and its potential cold-weather reduction – remains the primary EV winter challenge. However, this concern diminishes with increasing EV range, battery and heating system enhancements, and growing public charger accessibility.
Ultimately, driver behavior remains crucial for winter EV success. Implementing basic measures – fitting appropriate tires for enhanced grip, preheating while plugged in to minimize battery drain, and meticulously planning longer routes – significantly alleviates winter driving anxiety.
Norway’s overwhelming EV new car sales majority is perhaps the most compelling real-world evidence. Snow, ice, and cold are no match for these vehicles or their drivers. With thoughtful planning, your EV will perform as capably in winter as in summer.
Editors’ note: Travel costs related to parts of this story were covered by the manufacturer, which is common in the auto industry. The judgments and opinions of FASTNET’s staff are our own.