Electric car battery

[cyberfruits]

Hi just wondering, if one buys a car that says that is rated to be able to do 200 miles on a full charge, how many miles does the battery lose when you got the heating on all the time, say for example on the equivalent setting of medium hot in a diesel car? Is there a way to have heating without using the main battery?

[FreeLitres]

I had an early EV for 6 months (Pug iOn) and the estimated mileage dropped significantly (40%?) when I turned on the heater. It's basically an electrical element that runs off the battery. I ended up driving around with the heater off and wearing a thick coat. On very cold days, ice would form on the inside of the windows where the condensation was freezing.

This was about 9 years ago so things might have changed. The total range has improved for sure so it might not be as much of an issue to lose some range using the heater.

[cyberfruits]

FreeLitres said:

I had an early EV for 6 months (Pug iOn) and the estimated mileage dropped significantly (40%?) when I turned on the heater. It's basically an electrical element that runs off the battery. I ended up driving around with the heater off and wearing a thick coat. On very cold days, ice would form on the inside of the windows where the condensation was freezing.

This was about 9 years ago so things might have changed. The total range has improved for sure so it might not be as much of an issue to lose some range using the heater.

That is what I was worried about, we live 60 miles from the hospital, the nearest large town with large shops and we are in our 60's with health conditions which get worse in damp or cold conditions, hear now with heated wave our average temperature is 15 degree with an occasional spike of 20 celsius, so would need to keep heating on, but round trip is already 120 miles so long way of for us then to be able to get an electric car.

[thebraketester]

Got an EV with a 300 range?

[SpeckledJim]

cyberfruits said:

FreeLitres said:

I had an early EV for 6 months (Pug iOn) and the estimated mileage dropped significantly (40%?) when I turned on the heater. It's basically an electrical element that runs off the battery. I ended up driving around with the heater off and wearing a thick coat. On very cold days, ice would form on the inside of the windows where the condensation was freezing.

This was about 9 years ago so things might have changed. The total range has improved for sure so it might not be as much of an issue to lose some range using the heater.

That is what I was worried about, we live 60 miles from the hospital, the nearest large town with large shops and we are in our 60's with health conditions which get worse in damp or cold conditions, hear now with heated wave our average temperature is 15 degree with an occasional spike of 20 celsius, so would need to keep heating on, but round trip is already 120 miles so long way of for us then to be able to get an electric car.

Most normal modern EVs will be comfortably enough for your needs.

[delta0]

The heating/cooling systems are around 1kW for the heat pumps ones. That would take 1kWh from the battery each hour. How much that impacts range will depend on the capacity. Also that’s a max value, it should be less unless it’s extremely hot or cold out.

[Europa Jon]

Don't forget many EVs can be pre-heated or pre-cooled on a charger so you can set off with a fullish battery and comfortable cabin temperature.

[GT6k]

I remember renting a subcompact car in the USA (Geo Metro I think) that wouldn't climb a gradient on the freeway at 50mph if the aircon was on. But to answer the original question - no there is no other way of heating or cooling, yes it has some effect on range but not huge, and as already stated you start the the journey from home with the car already cooled/heated and at 100% charge.

The ability to precondition the cabin is the great unsung advantage of EVs. Getting into the car in recent afternoons with the seats actually cold to the touch was heaven. Then there's no scraping the windscreen or having to demist a cold damp car in the winter.

[gmaz]

My Kona has a normal range of about 300 miles, which drops to about 250 in winter with the heating on.

The heater uses about 2kW to get to temperature, and then about 1kW to maintain it, So if I got stuck in the snow with a full battery, there would be enough energy for about 2 days constant heating.

[raspy]

FreeLitres said:

I had an early EV for 6 months (Pug iOn) and the estimated mileage dropped significantly (40%?) when I turned on the heater. It's basically an electrical element that runs off the battery. I ended up driving around with the heater off and wearing a thick coat. On very cold days, ice would form on the inside of the windows where the condensation was freezing.

This was about 9 years ago so things might have changed. The total range has improved for sure so it might not be as much of an issue to lose some range using the heater.

Things have changed dramatically. It's not an issue in more modern EVs.

OP, you got nothing to worry about.

[aestetix1]

cyberfruits said:

Hi just wondering, if one buys a car that says that is rated to be able to do 200 miles on a full charge, how many miles does the battery lose when you got the heating on all the time, say for example on the equivalent setting of medium hot in a diesel car? Is there a way to have heating without using the main battery?

It depends on the car. Check reviews for details or ask some owners. Did you have a particular car in mind?

Rough estimate the heating or air conditioning in a car with a heat pump costs you about 5% on average, so 10 miles in your example. Cars without heat pumps are getting rare these days.