Electric vehicle (EV) owners are expressing growing frustration over significant drops in driving range during frigid weather. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – As South Korea braces for its coldest winter yet, electric vehicle (EV) owners are expressing growing frustration over significant drops in driving range during frigid weather.
Online forums have been buzzing with complaints, with many surprised by how much their EV range decreases compared to summer. Questions about efficient heater usage have become common.
The Korea Meteorological Administration reported that the season’s harshest cold snap, along with heavy snow in some regions, has led to cold wave advisories across the country. EV owners are particularly affected, as lithium-ion batteries—commonly used in EVs—are known to perform poorly in low temperatures, with efficiency dropping by 20–30%.
For an EV with a range of 500 kilometers in normal conditions, this could mean a reduction to around 400 kilometers in winter.
Heater usage exacerbates the problem, as EVs require extra energy to generate heat, unlike internal combustion engine vehicles that utilize engine waste heat. Models with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, such as Tesla’s Model Y rear-wheel-drive and Kia’s Ray, are especially vulnerable to the cold, as these batteries are more temperature-sensitive.
With budget-friendly EVs gaining popularity in South Korea, many equipped with LFP batteries face their first real test in the winter cold.
Experts recommend strategies to preserve EV range during winter, including parking indoors, using indoor chargers, and relying on heated seats or steering wheels instead of traditional heaters. Long-distance drivers are advised to plan routes carefully and confirm charging station availability to avoid unexpected battery depletion.
The season highlights ongoing challenges for EV technology in extreme weather, underscoring the need for improved battery efficiency and energy management solutions.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
