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
Internal combustion engines(ICE) are terribly inefficient, often wasting 60% of the fuel energy to heat waste.
Modern electric vehicles are very efficient, most are 95% efficient or more.
So when its cold outside and we need to siphon off some energy to heat the cabin, there is tons available from from an ICE but with the EV we need to just waste battery power creating heat to warm the cabin.
When it’s hot outside and we need to run an AC compressor, the inefficient ICE engine, already spinning it rotating mass, doesn’t really mind spinning the AC compressor too, but on the EV again we are sucking down battery range to run the compressor.
This is also why we see only a moderate drop in fuel efficiency from ICE when towing or hauling heavy loads, but with EVs we see huge losses in range when towing. We’re essentially only paying 40% for the added weight with ICE, but paying nearly 100% for the added weight with an EV. Because of their respective efficiencies.
The other factor is that to maintain the EV battery’s performance and longevity, it needs to be operated at a specific temperature, typically around room temperature. This means we’re also using the AC and electric heaters to heat/cool the battery to room temperature.
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