Sabrina Venne had bought her vehicle to get to work, a journey of 120 km. We were told that with the E-Golf, there would be no problem
, she says. But, according to her, this is not the case in winter.
Sabrina Venne estimates that her car’s advertised range of 198 km decreases to 110 km when the mercury drops below -20 degrees Celsius. However, last January, such temperatures were observed about one day out of two in Montreal.
Depending on the weather conditions, Sabrina Venne estimates that she will lose between 35% and 45% of autonomy. As a result, her trips take her longer, since she has to recharge her car more frequently on the road.recharge minutes. And sometimes, it’s the traffic at the terminals”,”text”:”You have to plan extra time for that. In winter, it’s between 30 and 45 minutes of recharging. And sometimes it’s the traffic at the terminals”}}”>You need to plan extra time for that. In winter, it’s between 30 and 45 minutes of recharging. And sometimes it’s busy at the terminalsadds the driver.
Jean Groulx is a happy man behind the wheel of his 2021 Mustang Mach-E, a fully electric vehicle from the manufacturer Ford. He appreciates the driving and appearance of his car. But he is disappointed with the autonomy of his car in winter, which melts like snow in the sun.% than 30%.”,”text”:”In winter, I was told that we lost a third of autonomy. It’s really more 50% than 30%.”}}”>In winter, I was told that we lost a third of autonomy. It’s really more 50% than 30%.
According to his observations, the 491 km range advertised for his car drops to some 250 km in cold weather. If I go to see a client in Quebec, I don’t go to Quebec. In the summer, I am able to go to Quebec and almost come back
supports this car enthusiast.
Astonishment of motorists
For Montreal and Quebec, last January was the coldest since 2004. Many owners of electric vehicles have seen the effects, according to CAA-Quebec. This year, the phone did not ring off. Lots of calls from people who didn’t know the range was going to be so short
explains Jesse Caron, automotive expert within the organization.
Jesse Caron, automotive expert, CAA-Quebec
Photo: Radio-Canada / Marie-France Belanger
In fact, electric vehicle batteries react poorly to cold and are designed for a warmer climate.degrees Celsius. We would speak more of a Californian temperature than a Quebec temperature”,”text”:”Their ideal operating temperature is 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. We would speak more of a Californian temperature than a Quebec temperature”}}”>Their ideal operating temperature is 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. We would speak more of a Californian temperature than a Quebec temperature, adds the expert. Interesting fact: cold weather also affects gas-powered vehicles. But the impact is not the same. A gas-powered vehicle also loses a lot of its performance in the winter. The only thing is that we don’t notice it because we can go and put gas at any intersection
he says.
Road tests to measure autonomy
The publisher and owner of The automobile annual, Benoit Charette, wanted to get to the bottom of it. That’s why he conducted his own tests on 21 electric cars in -16 degrees Celsius.
The results of these tests will be published in the next edition of his book. But until then, he has agreed to share some of his observations with us. models that we have tested, let’s say that no one has met the figures that we officially announce. 20% to 30%, it’s the best who lose that in winter. The average is much more between 30% and 50%”,”text”:”Of all the 21 models we tested, let’s say that no one has met the figures that we officially announce. 20% to 30%, it’s the best who lose that in winter. The average is much more between 30% and 50%”}}”>Of all the 21 models we tested, let’s say that no one has met the figures that we officially announce. 20% to 30%, it’s the best who lose that in winter. The average is much more between 30% and 50%
he explains.
Benoit Charette, owner and editor of “L’annuel de l’automobile”
Photo: Radio-Canada / Marie-France Belanger
According to him, a 50% reduction in battery life in cold weather is not anecdotal.% in winter.”,”text”:”It’s quite common to lose almost 50% in winter.”}}”>It’s quite common to lose nearly 50% in the winter. Benoit Charette gives the example of three electric vehicles that he tested this winter and which respectively lost 40%, 45% and 51% of autonomy, even if he says he was careful to save his battery.
The point of view of dealers and manufacturers
Motorists, interviewed by The bill, would have liked to have the right time from the seller. They say they only discovered the extent of the problem after the purchase. The Ford dealer, where Jean Groulx bought his Mustang Mach-E, says it is transparent about the effect of cold on battery life. That of Sabrina Venne, who drives a Volkswagen E-Golf, did not answer us.
A charging station for electric vehicles
Photo: Radio-Canada / Martin Guindon
For Jesse Caron of CAA-Quebec, the data on winter autonomy should be more clearly displayed. This information is known. But it is not necessarily listed in large letters in the that the manufacturers make
, he says. Moreover, for Benoît Charette, sellers still know little about the particularities of electric vehicles.
The president of the Corporation of automobile dealers of Quebec (CCAQ) is not of this opinion. Today, I consider that our people are qualified to be able to sell an electric vehicle and explain to people the impact of cold on their vehicle.
explains Robert Poëti.
Robert Poëti, President and CEO of the Corporation of Quebec Automobile Dealers
Photo: Radio-Canada / Marie-France Belanger
The CCAQ argues that it has developed training capsules for salespeople, where the impact of cold weather on the battery is well and truly explained. But according to the manufacturers, implicated in this report, and the CCAQ, the exact loss of autonomy in winter remains impossible to quantify because several factors come into play.: “but your vehicle will have less than 50 autonomy in winter”. This is not exact, depending on the route you take, the speed you do, the heater you are going to use. It’s maybe 30%, but sometimes it can be 40%. Personally, I always calculate 50″,”text”:”You can’t spontaneously say: “but your vehicle will have less than 50 range in winter”. This is not exact, depending on the route you take, the speed you do, the heater you are going to use. It may be 30%, but sometimes it may be 40%. Me, personally, I always calculate 50″}}”>We cannot spontaneously say: “but your vehicle will have less than 50 km of autonomy in winter”. This is not exact, depending on the route you take, the speed you do, the heater you are going to use. It might be 30%, but sometimes it can be 40%. Me, personally, I always calculate 50explains Robert Poëti.
As of December 31, 2021:
- 282,723 electric vehicles* in Canada
- 128,599 electric vehicles* in Quebec
Most popular models in Quebec:
- Tesla 3
- Toyota Prius Prime
- Chevrolet Volt
- Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Nissan Leaf
* hybrid and fully electric
Source : Quebec Electric Vehicle Association
Adapt your driving
At the wheel of her E-Golf, Sabrina Venne says she has changed her way of driving to save her battery. She uses secondary roads rather than the highway, where her car consumes more energy. But despite everything, his electric vehicle does not meet his needs in winter. So she had to borrow her father’s gas-powered car to get through the cold season without hassle. Had I known, would I have bought it? No, no, because it’s an issue. It’s such an issue that it calls into question the purchase.
Jean Groulx, he is still happy to have an electric vehicle with the spectacular increase in the price of gasoline. Especially since the waiting time for the most popular electric models is eight to ten months. There are a lot of savings even if the car is more expensive. I think those who don’t have an electric car would like that, to have mine
he said proudly.
The electric vehicle is becoming more democratic. According to the Association of Electric Vehicles of Quebec, nearly 300,000 people own a hybrid or fully electric car in Canada. Almost half are in Quebec. Many motorists therefore discover in use all the particularities of this relatively recent technology. These are models that have been available to the general public for around ten years. We are still in the experimental phase.
says Jesse Caron of CAA-Quebec.
While waiting for a new generation of battery better suited to winter, motorists have no choice but to adapt their driving to limit the loss of range, in particular:
- plugging in the vehicle at home and keeping it in a heated place;
- by warming the interior of the car when it is still plugged in;
- using seat and steering wheel heating;
- by reducing its speed and limiting sudden accelerations.
« It’s a new apprenticeship, driving an electric vehicle. People think because there’s a steering wheel and then four wheels, it’s the same as a gasoline-powered vehicle. It’s wrong. It’s not the same thing. »
The report by journalist Marie-France Bélanger and director Stéphanie Allaire is broadcast on The bill Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. on ICI Télé.