With electric cars slowly starting to take over our daily driving needs, a lot of us will be asking questions about range. That's especially the case when it comes to range during the winter months, as this is when EVs really suffer.
Range is one of the main reasons many of us are still reluctant to own an EV, along with other known difficulties EVs can have when the weather gets cold. There's also the issue with whether you should go for RWD or AWD, and how much that'll affect performance in the winter, and how you should heat your car up before driving off in the first place.
While this range loss is a worry, there are some EVs where it's a much smaller issue than most. In fact, some EVs on the market right now only lose a few percent of their range during the winter. Some serious research has been carried out into the range losses EVs experience in wintry conditions, and there are definitely some serious winners among them.
9 Audi Q4 E-Tron 50 S Line Quattro – 30.6% Est. Range Loss
The Audi Q4 e-tron hasn't been around for very long, but it's already received a lot of praise. Much of that has come from how good its range is. That doesn't stop when winter sets in, as the 50 S Line Quattro model has an estimated range loss of 30.6% in cold conditions. That might not be anywhere near the best that you'll find on this list, but it's still a very good figure.
Audi is already creating a great reputation for itself of building competent EVs. The Q4 e-tron is yet another one of those, and that confidence you'll have in its range (and capability, thanks to its AWD system) during wintry conditions only bolsters that.
8 Kia EV6 GT-Line RWD – 30.4% Est. Range Loss
The Kia EV6 has taken the EV market by storm recently. It's not hard to see why, as it's a fantastic mix of performance and practicality. It also doesn't have anywhere near as much range anxiety as other electric Kia models. That carries on into its winter performance, as it's managed an estimated 30.4% loss in range in colder conditions. While that's more than quite a few of the options on here, it'll still give you quite a lot of confidence in its range when things get cold outside.
The Kia EV6 has already asserted itself as a serious option in the premium EV market. Having relatively low range losses in winter only makes it a more attractive choice.
7 Tesla Model 3 Long Range – 24.8% Est. Range Loss
The Tesla Model 3 was the first decently affordable EV for many. While it's fallen out of favor now, much like other Tesla models, it's still a great benchmark to compare other EVs with. It's also fairly capable in winter conditions, as it only loses an estimated 24.8% of range.
For those of us who want an electric car without breaking the bank too much, the Tesla Model 3 is still one of the best options out there. That's cemented even further by how confident you can be with its range when the weather gets colder.
6 Porsche Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus – 20.1% Est. Range Loss
The Porsche Taycan has quickly gained a reputation of being one of the best luxury EVs on the market. The 4S Performance Battery Plus is one of the best overall options within the Taycan lineup, with a great mix of range and performance and a fantastic AWD powertrain. It also holds on to its range fairly well in winter conditions, with a 20.1% estimated range loss compared to Porsche's claims.
The Porsche Taycan is an expensive proposition when it comes to EVs. It is a Porsche, after all. But, it's definitely a very good one to consider if you're worried about winter performance. You won't lose much range from the battery, and the AWD will help you a lot with keeping grip in the snow and ice.
5 Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range RWD – 18% Est. Range Loss
The Ford Mustang Mach-E has been a controversial model among enthusiasts. What isn't controversial though is that it's a very good electric SUV, and this even extends to its range. The Mustang Mach-E barely loses any range during the winter compared to its peers. It only loses an estimated 18% of its claimed range in the winter.
Ford is one of the few manufacturers to actually offer advice to owners on how to get as much battery life as possible out of an EV during the winter. Combining this with the Mustang Mach-E's relatively low estimated range loss during colder conditions, it seems like Ford is really thinking about how suitable its electric cars are for more wintry climates. This kind of thinking can only be positive, and it could really give Ford an edge in a more electrified future.
4 Tesla Model X – 15% Est. Range Loss
Although it's fallen out of favor in recent years, the Tesla Model X is still a yardstick by which other EVs get measured. It's also one of the EVs that loses the least amount of range during the winter. The Model X loses an estimated 15% of its claimed range in winter conditions. While that isn't the best, it's certainly better than quite a few of its peers.
The Tesla Model X might be a bit old and out of date compared to the newer generation of EVs appearing on the market right now. But, it's definitely one that works well during the winter. The dual motor AWD powertrain means it has plenty of grip in the snow and because it doesn't lose a lot of range, you can feel confident about how long it can go on a single charge.
3 Tesla Model Y – 15% Est. Range Loss
Like its Model X sibling, the Model Y has fallen out of favor recently in the EV market. But, it's still a good yardstick to measure other similar cars by. Like the Model X, it also doesn't lose a lot of range during the winter. The Model Y has been recorded as having an estimated 15% loss of range compared to Tesla's claims. Again, like the Model X, that's not the best among its peers, but it's still very good.
Tesla is a bit of a controversial manufacturer right now. But, the Model Y is definitely a solid choice for anyone who wants an EV but has concerns about colder conditions. You can be confident in the amount of range you'll get out of it, and its AWD system makes winter driving relatively easy thanks to the huge amount of extra grip it can get.
2 Audi E-Tron – 8% Est. Range Loss
The Audi e-tron is quickly becoming a top choice among the premium end of the EV market. It's got performance and practicality in spades, and Audi has really seemed to nail what an EV should be like.
It's also been recently discovered to lose very little range during the winter. In a study carried out by Recurrent Auto, the e-tron managed to only lose an estimated 8% of its claimed range. That's one of the lowest estimated range losses out of any electric car on the market.
If you live in a colder climate, the Audi e-tron is undoubtedly an EV you should consider. Even when it's absolutely freezing outside, you should get very close to the manufacturer's claimed range.
1 Jaguar I-Pace – 3% Est. Range Loss
You wouldn't necessarily think that the car that would lose the least amount of range during the winter on this list would be a Jaguar. The Jaguar i-Pace only loses an estimated 3% of its claimed range in cold conditions.
The Jaguar i-Pace has already proven itself to be a great choice in the world of electric SUVs. With the knowledge that it's one of the best for keeping its charge during the winter too, that just makes it an even better choice. Adding to that, the dual motor AWD system no doubt helps with traction in the tricky winter conditions. If you live in a colder climate, the i-Pace is likely to be one of the best EVs out there for you.