Why is range of EVs so affected by the environment they’re in, compared to cars on gas?

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I see and hear about a random EV that has X range in 20 degree (Celsius) weather, steady speed of 110 km/h, but Y range (significant difference) if it’s 130 km/h. Even more of a difference if it’s 0 degrees.

If it needs to pull a trailer with 500kg it loses, i don’t know, 25% of the range?

There are probably other examples. I’m not talking these specific examples, i just mean in general.

Nobody ever talks about that when it comes to cars that run on gas or diesel, i assume because it doesnt affect them as much. Why?

In: Engineering

10 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Variation with driving conditions can also be pretty significant with ICE vehicles, but we usually talk about it as fuel economy (mpg or liter/100km) instead of range.

The main reasons we talk about it more with EVs are:
– worse refueling (charging) infrastructure – there are fewer chargers than gas pumps
– longer refueling (charging) time – charging takes longer than pumping gas
– less capability to tack more range on (both in vehicle design and in aftermarket options) – batteries take more space and weigh more than gas, so we can’t just throw more on or carry a gas can for more range.
– harder to fix if you run out – ICE vehicles can just bring a gas can, EVs need a tow or a long while charging 

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