BCAA and CAA’s Winter EV Performance Study Shows Winter Temperatures Reduce Battery Range

February 10, 2025, Burnaby, B.C. – Driving an EV in a Canadian winter just got the ultimate stress test in a real-world winter EV performance study conducted this week by the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) in partnership with the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).

Vehicles representing more than two-thirds of Canadian EV sales were driven from Ottawa to Mont Tremblant in sub-zero temperatures. The BCAA & CAA EV Winter Test measured how many kilometres EVs drove before their batteries died, and how long it took to get a reasonable recharge.

“BCAA is responding to a top concern of BC drivers when it comes to EVs,” said Shawn Pettipas, BCAA’s Director, Corporate Purpose & Mobility Marketing. “We measured the effective range of electric vehicles in cold weather and how quickly they charge. These insights are critical for both current EV owners and those considering making the switch.”

In a recent poll, close to 60 per cent of EV drivers in B.C. said that they would prefer to drive their gas vehicle on long trips in extremely cold weather and close to 60 per cent also say lower battery range in extremely cold weather has been a problem.

Officially posted Canadian EV ranges are based on overall, year-round numbers. BCAA & CAA’s test shows the difference winter makes. Across the board, the vehicles drove 14 to 39 per cent less than their official range. Two vehicles in particular performed well in the cold, the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the Polestar 2. Both drove just 14 percent less than their posted range.

CAA found the cold weather affected EVs very differently, with some doing better than expected while others did not. The full list of vehicles and their performance is in the chart below.

“The vast difference in results highlight the importance of understanding EV range in winter conditions and comparing numbers if winter performance matters to you,” said Pettipas. “BCAA encourages drivers to plan ahead for longer trips in cold weather, and to do their research if they’re planning on purchasing an EV.”

The BCAA & CAA EV Winter Test featured 13 EVs, which includes 7 out of 10 of the top sellers in Canada. Models came from sport, luxury, SUV, sedan and truck categories, capturing a diverse range of vehicle types. Temperatures during the drive varied between -7 and -15 degrees Celsius, representing a typical Canadian winter.

Each vehicle was driven until the battery ran completely out of power to determine range in winter conditions. The results were compared to the estimated driving range published by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). In Canada, only a single average is published, so consumers don’t have an accurate picture of winter range.

BCAA and CAA also put to the test charging speeds, a critical factor for longer trips in an EV. In BCAA and CAA’s recent survey of EV owners, 4 in 10 Canadian EV drivers said significant slower charging in extreme cold weather is a problem.

Each vehicle in the winter driving test was connected to a DC fast-charger. The test measured how many kilometers of range were added in a 15-minute session. On average, EVs managed to add around 100 kilometers of range, which amounted to 28 per cent of battery charge. The Tesla Model 3 charged the fastest, adding over 200 kilometers in just 15 minutes. BCAA and CAA found significant variations in how much charge an EV could gain in 15 minutes, highlighting the importance of considering charging rates for those who frequently drive long distances.

The BCAA & CAA EV Winter Test is the latest initiative in BCAA’s consumer education on electric vehicles, which includes providing unbiased information about the price and performance of electric vehicles in CAA’s EV Buyer’s Guide.

BCAA has a few tips for drivers on ways to maximize EV performance in cold weather:

1. Precondition the EV: Warm the cabin while it is plugged in before starting your drive. Many EVs allow you to schedule preconditioning for a specific departure time, which maximizes range and comfort.
2. Clear Snow and Ice: Remove excess snow and ice from the vehicle to reduce weight and aerodynamic drag, helping to extend your range. In fact, in some provinces this is the law, ensuring drivers can see where they are going and keeping roads safer.
3. Use Heated Seats: Heated seats consume less energy than cabin heaters, allowing you to conserve battery power.
4. Park Indoors: Whenever possible, park in a garage or other sheltered area to keep the battery warmer, which can improve both range and charging speed. If not possible, park the car on the sunny side of the street.

Complete results of the BCAA & CAA EV Winter Test are contained in the charts below. Information about the BCAA & CAA EV Drivers Poll is available on bcaa.com.

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Range test

*Calculation was adjusted to reflect that Chevrolet Silverado EV started at 73% state of charge and that Ford F-150 Lightning started at 89% state of charge.

Charge Test

Note: Honda Prologue was not included in the charge test as it encountered an error and data was unavailable.

Mobile charging was provided by CAFU, an on-demand charging solution designed to enhance convenience and accessibility for electric vehicle owners.

Some vehicles were provided by Plug ‘n Drive, a non-profit organization committed to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles through education, advocacy, and innovative programs that promote sustainable transportation.

About BCAA

Driven by its purpose to move British Columbians forward, BCAA (British Columbia Automobile Association) is a long-standing BC Top Employer (Mediacorp) and provides over 1 in 3 B.C. households with industry leading mobility and protection services including Membership, Insurance, Evo Car Share, Evolve E-Bike and E-Scooter Share, BCAA Auto Marketplace and Auto Service. BCAA invests in programs and initiatives to make a positive impact by protecting the people and province of BC, recognizing that the place we call home is all of ours to protect. BCAA holds itself accountable to its purpose by setting goals related to its impact on People, the Planet and Prosperity, and sharing results in its annual Impact Report. 

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