Test in Norway under temperatures of -32°C exposes chemical limitations of batteries; in the south of the country, loss of range can reach 20% on frost days
The performance of electric cars (EVs) faces a critical bottleneck in icy weather, as the Norwegian Automobile Club (NAF) annual test revealed. The drop in autonomy occurs because cold inhibits chemical reactions within lithium-ion cells, increasing internal resistance and making the electrolyte more viscous. In addition, the absence of waste heat from the engine requires the high-voltage battery to power the cabin’s heating system, draining energy that would otherwise be used for travel.
In Brazil, where recent records in the Serra Catarinense reached -10.4 °C, the impact is less severe than the -32 °C recorded in Norway, but still relevant. Estimates based on technical data indicate that, at temperatures close to 0 °C – common in the southern winter – the loss of autonomy can vary between 10% and 20%. In more intense frosts, this rate can rise to 25% in models without advanced heat pump systems.
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The test conducted by the Norwegian Automobile Club (NAF) and Motor magazine was a real “torture” for the electric cars: 27 vehicles were driven in convoy from Oslo to the Dovrefjell mountains in temperatures of up to -32 °C. The protocol was strict, with the cars running until they came to a complete stop due to lack of cargo. The average loss was 38% compared to the WLTP cycle, but some premium models failed badly. The Mercedes-Benz CLA and Volvo EX90 lost 48% and 49% of their official range, respectively. The Tesla Model Y also fell short, delivering 359 km of the promised 629 km.
On the other hand, Chinese brands such as Xpeng and MG recorded the smallest drops, of about 29%, demonstrating superior thermal management. Another Asian company that did well was Hyundai, with about 39% of losses from the Hyundai Inster.
