Here’s how scorching heat affects your EV’s range
As the US prepares for brutal heat, we found out how high temperatures affect EV range from battery range experts Recurrent.
Thanks to a heat dome over the US Midwest and Northeast, the National Weather Service says millions of people are facing “dangerously hot conditions” over the next five days. Heat index temperatures in the Northeast are expected to reach 105F (41C) in the coming week.
So, I checked out a new study from Recurrent, which provides EV battery health reports for owners, shoppers, and dealers. Recurrent’s study, “Summer & Hot Weather on Electric Car Range,” looked at real-world data from more than 7,500 electric cars in the US.
The short answer is that EVs work mostly fine when the temperature soars. Electric cars only lose 2-5% of range in temperatures below 90F (32C). Electric cars have robust thermal management to keep the batteries cool and safe.
However, Recurrent’s battery readings found that EVs can lose 20-30% of total range in scorching weather, ie, above 95F (35C).
When heat becomes a problem for EVs
Heat adversely affects EVs in two situations:
- Leaving your EV battery at a very low percentage of charge. A car’s thermal management requires energy, so keep your battery charged to help the car keep its battery cool.
- Letting a car sit for weeks in the hot sun. That’s harder on an EV than parking it in the shade or outdoors. If you have to leave your car at the airport for a week, putting it in a sheltered parking spot would be ideal, especially if extreme heat is forecast.
How air conditioning affects EV range
Using your A/C during normal summer conditions won’t reduce your range by a noticeable amount. But interior cooling, of course, requires energy, so extreme heat could cause range loss.
Air conditioning has much less of a negative impact on EV range than a resistance heater, so the range doesn’t begin to dip until the thermometer reaches 85F.
Cooling your EV’s cabin affects the range less than heating it in cold temperatures.
The best way to cool your EV
If you pre-cool your EV when plugged in, the A/C won’t affect your range. The most energy-intensive part of air conditioning is the initial cool down. It may take 3-5 kW of energy to get a 95F car to 70F, but it takes only around 1 kW to keep it at 70F.
Plus, electric air conditioners are simpler than mechanical ones, but still check your air filters and hoses regularly.
How EVs affect heat
If you want fewer days of extreme heat, driving an EV is one of the best things you can do. Fossil fuel-powered transportation is one of the most significant contributors to climate change; EVs help combat that.
Read more: 6 ways to get the best range from your EV in winter
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Tesla’s retro-futuristic diner with Superchargers and giant movie screens is ready to open, and I have to admit, it looks pretty sick.
This project has been in the works for a long time.
In 2018, Elon Musk said that Tesla planned to open an “old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in Los Angeles.” It was yet another “Is he joking?” kind of Elon Musk idea, but he wasn’t kidding.
A few months later, Tesla applied for building permits for “a restaurant and Supercharger station” at a location in Santa Monica. However, the project stalled for a long time, apparently due to local regulations.
Nevertheless, Tesla still moved forward with a Supercharger at the location, but it had to move the diner project to Hollywood. In 2022, Tesla filed the construction plans with the city, giving us the first look at what the automaker intends to build.
In 2023, the automaker broke ground on the site of the diner.
7 years after being originally announced, the project appears now ready to open:
Musk said that he ate at the diner last night and claimed that it is “one of the coolest spots in LA.” He didn’t say when it will open, but Tesla vehicles have been spotted at Supercharger and people appear to be testing the dinning experience inside.
A Tesla Optimus Robot can be seen inside the diner on a test rack. It looks like Tesla might use one for some tasks inside the diner.
Earlier this year, Tesla integrated the diner into its mobile app – hinting at some interaction through the app – possibly ordering from it.
Electrek’s Take
I think it looks pretty cool. I am a fan of the design and concept.
However, considering the state of the Tesla community, I don’t think I’d like the vibes. That said, it looks like Tesla isn’t prominently pushing its branding on the diner.
You can come and charge there, but it looks like Tesla is also aiming to get a wider clientele just for dining.
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Hyundai’s electric minivan is finally out in the open. The Staria EV was caught without camo near Hyundai’s R&D center in Korea, giving us a closer look at the electric minivan undisguised.
Hyundai’s electric minivan drops camo ahead of debut
The Staria arrived in 2021 as the successor to the Starex, Hyundai’s multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Although the Staria has received several updates throughout the years, 2026 will be its biggest by far.
Hyundai will launch the Staria EV, its first electric minivan. Like the current model, the 2026 Staria will be available in several different configurations, including cargo, passenger, and even a camper version.
We’ve seen the Staria EV out in public a few times already. Last month, we got a glimpse of it while driving on public roads in Korea.
Despite the camouflage, new EV-like design elements were visible, including updated LED headlights and a full-length light bar. Although it’s still unclear, the electric version appears to be roughly the same size as the current Staria from the side, but slightly wider from the front.
New images posted on the South Korean forum Clien reveal a test car, expected to be Hyundai’s Staria electric minivan, without camo.
Like most Hyundai test cars, the prototype has a black front and a grey body. It still features a similar look to other prototypes we’ve seen, but you can clearly see the new facelift.
Earlier this year, a Staria EV was spotted in a parking lot in Korea, featuring a similar look. The electric version is nearly identical to the Staria Lounge, but with an added charge port and closed-off grille.
The Hyundai Staria EV is expected to make its global debut later this year. Technical details have yet to be revealed, but it’s expected to feature either a 76 kWh or 84 kWh battery, providing a range of around 350 km (217 miles) to 400 km (249 miles).
Hyundai’s electric SUV arrives after Kia introduced its first electric van, the PV5, which launched in Europe and Korea earlier this year.
In Europe, the Kia Passenger PV5 model is available with two battery pack options: 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh, providing WLTP ranges of 179 miles and 249 miles, respectively. The Cargo version has a WLTP range of 181 miles or 247 miles.
Source: TheKoreanCarBlog, Clien
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