Diesel pickups are for chumps

[Gman]

You have friends that drive an ICE vehicle in the winter due to reduced range? I'm dying to know more details. Even with something like a first generation Leaf the reduced range in the winter will still cover 95% of the average driver's daily needs. I'd like more details because this sounds like a load of horseshit if that's their only reason.

Tested: How Cold Weather Affects EV Range

Range anxiety is real. Take it from someone who has been stranded with his wife in an electric vehicle not once but twice: You’ll want to watch the distance-to-empty gauge of an EV with a close eye. This is even more critical when the temperature drops below freezing, which is exactly why we ran a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy loop in icy February to gauge how low temperatures affect electric range.

Battery chemistry, like Grandpa and almost everything else in the universe, slows down when it gets cold. The result? The battery pack has less energy to propel the car. If some of the battery’s energy is used to warm itself to a more efficient operating temperature, that, too, will reduce the battery’s state of charge and the car’s overall efficiency. All EVs suffer substantial range degradation in cold ambient conditions; we used the Bolt to give us and you an indication of how much.

How to Extend Your Electric Vehicle’s Range During the Winter

Of course, drivers of gas-powered cars also deal with range loss and other issues in the cold, though they are not as magnified. But getting the most out of an EV in winter takes effort, especially when a car’s range is below 100 miles. Here are steps drivers can take to maximize an electric car’s battery life during winter.

Climate Control

Since EVs do not have the manufactured heat of a combustion engine, drivers must find creative ways to stay warm or otherwise sacrifice battery power. Actually, electric cars do not waste the type of energy gas-powered cars do (as heat), so greater efficiency is the source of the problem.
EV drivers have several methods for reducing battery consumption:

• Heating before you unplug. Cold temperatures make a plug-in climate system work hard to warm a car, so there is no point wasting that energy after you stop charging. Before leaving on a trip during winter, heat the car before disconnecting from the power source.
• Heated seats. Your car’s power system uses less energy to heat a seat than it would sending warm air into the cabin. Most EVs come with heated seats or offer the option, so consumers living in cold areas should take advantage of them.
• Layered clothing. The easiest way to conserve battery power is using little to no heat. Always dress in layers when heading out in winter so you can stay warm whether or not the climate control system helps. A scarf, hat and driving gloves complete winter attire in an EV.