This photo provided by Kia Corp. shows the company’s all-electric EV6 sedan.
SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Korea Bizwire) — With South Korea mired in an extended cold snap, drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly concerned about the effects of cold weather on battery performance.
The harsh conditions lead to a decline in the driving range for EVs, causing anxiety for those who rely on their vehicles for daily transportation.
According to a survey of 150 EV owners conducted by Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co., the respondents said that the average driving distance of their EVs with the batteries fully charged declined by 33.4 percent in sub-zero temperatures compared to normal conditions.
The driving range for Hyundai Motor Co.’s all-electric IONIQ 6 stands at 544 kilometers at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius but drops to 428 kilometers at a low temperature of -6.7 degrees Celsius, according to the data from the Ministry of Environment.
Some EVs have a range difference of more than 100 kilometers between normal conditions and low temperatures.
The use of heaters also can contribute to deteriorating the performance of batteries. Unlike internal combustion vehicles that operate heaters using the waste heat of engines, EVs operate them by using motors.
Some market watchers pointed out that carmakers should indicate the maximum driving distance under low-temperature conditions in their marketing materials, adding that it would allow EV drivers to be better prepared for the winter season.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
