‘No evidence’ electric cars ‘struggle’ with UK cold – AA

There is “no evidence” that electric vehicles (EVS) “struggle” with cold weather in the UK, a motoring organisation has claimed.

The AA said the proportion ofevcalloutsitreceivedforbatteries running out of power in January was 2.3%, the lowest level since September 2023.

Concernsabouttheviability ofevsduringlowtemperatures were heightened last month when drivers in the US city of Chicago reported that their batteries depleted rapidly and took a long time to recharge after temperatures fell as low as minus 18C.

A vehicle recovery worker saidhehad“neverseenthisvolume for electric cars”.

Aapresidentedmundking, who will participate in an onlineeventonwednesdayrunby electric motoring support providerevcafe,said:“therewere lots of horror stories in January,originatingintheusa,that EVS don’t work in the cold.

“There is no evidence that the UK’S colder weather means

EVS struggle, even if range is slightly reduced.

“Ofcourse,evs,likealltypes of vehicles, are not as efficient in the extreme cold, but our data showed they worked well in January in the UK.

“Drivers accept that range willbediminished,particularly if the cold means that drivers are using in-car heating and blowers.

“Many EV drivers adapt to the colder conditions by preheatingandde-icingtheirvehicles remotely before they leave home, and then using heated seats to keep warm as this uses less energy.”

Mr King said it is vital that drivers are encouraged to switch to electric motoring “when they are ready to do so” by purchase incentives, enhanced charging infrastructure and “accurate information rather than myths”.

He added: “It is not surprising that some drivers are hesitant to switch as the combustion engine has been with us for well over 100 years.

“Once drivers have made the switch they will not look back.”

The proportion of EV callouts received by the AA for batteries having limited or no charge was 8.3% in 2015.

This fell to 4.3% in 2021, and was 2.1% last year.

The AA attributes the decrease to the public charging network becoming larger and more reliable, improved range on newer EVS, and better educationandinformationfordrivers. The company expects the figure to ultimately drop to 1%, which would be equivalent to the proportion of petrol and diesel car breakdowns due to running out of fuel.

Atleast22%ofnewcarssold byeachmanufacturerintheuk this year must be zero-emission, which generally means battery EVS, under a mandate introducedbythegovernment.