Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

[SS MAYFLOAT]

I'm curious to know how these cars are going to do in the single and minus degrees in temp. Just how much of the electrical power is going to go into being able to heat the interior of the car. Seems logical to think that it would reduce you mileage capacity substantially. I know one will not be in my near future. Any thoughts?....Thanks.........SS

"0*" here this AM and to be in the negative temps tomorrow AM......

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

I do not have any knowledge of FULLY electric cars but I am familiar with Hybrids. I do know that the hybrid mpg suffers since the use of heat requires more use of the gas engine.

Even my regular gas engine car suffers a mpg loss due to the weather and snow tires.

 

[rwise]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

maybe they'll go to a heater like was used back in the 30's, they ran on gas

I have wondered the same thing, they must use more of the battery even just to keep visibility!

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

And to run ac in the summer what then ??

 

[QC]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

FWIW, trucks are going to indpendent, diesel fired heaters to reduce idle time.

Also, a friend of mine was just at a Ford dealer for a problem with an Escape hybrid. She was told the battery costs $10K It has not been diagnosed as the problem, and it might be covered by extended warranty, but I don't recall hearing/seeing that before . . .

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

The Ford/Mercury Hybrid (Nissan too) are all using earlier production Toyota technology. They all use 330 volt NiMH batteries which actually last a long time. Many times the dealership knows it is covered under warranty but pumps the price to impress the consumer!

No way does that battery cost 10K...... closer to half that. The actual cost is close to $3300. The battery warranty is 100K miles or 8 years.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

I'd be surprised if it's $10K as that's the number being mentioned for batteries for the upcoming VOLT and it's all electric, with a motor as backup.

But an interesting question. Where I live it can go from -25C to 40C so I run both a heater and air conditioner (I'm not talking the same day here). Not sure what they do for that.

 

[QC]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

Yeah, I did some further research too and your numbers look more like what I am reading. It turns out that she (my friend) was talking to a late night drop off service clerk person deal thing and now I question anything she said . . .

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

A couple of other things that can be problems for the electric cars in the winter is road salt and wheel slippage on ice/snow. I think for seasonal use or down south, they would be alright. I just think that winter use would be a major downfall for them. For what they cost and having to only use them when weather allows, I might as well get a nice fully dressed Harley.

 

[rwise]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

The AC is working great on my Harley right now it blows about 0*
With the computers we have to run electric motors today I don't think wheel slippage would be a problem. Now if ya want to see an electric car with wheel slippage google *white zombie electric car* and watch the vids,,,,

We are spoiled when it comes to creature comforts in our vehicles, I remember one of my first cars had a chunk broke out of the drivers door glass, in the winter I poked my head out of to see where I was going

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

in even hybrids the battery does not come on until the car is at a certain operating temperture, both for interrior comfort and to prolong battery life..

Right now the heat is still the basic heat off the radiator not an electric heat source that a pure electric car would use.

Then if the car cools down the gas will kick back on until temps rise to the needed temp.

THey do this to maintain the max lfe of the battery.

i would imagine in a pure electric car,with the state of todays batteries, if the heat was on you would see your mileage available drop very quickly.

Like diesels current electric cars are not made for extreme temps.

tomatolord

 

[mthieme]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

Maybe we can recycle all the 2-stroke OB motors for heaters!!!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

FWIW, trucks are going to indpendent, diesel fired heaters to reduce idle time.

.

they have had these for years
The units made by ProHeat were real nice about 15 or 20 years ago.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

Like diesels current electric cars are not made for extreme temps.

tomatolord

???

diesels seem to work fine in the cold where I have driven -- blizzard conditions across North Dakota at -20* F

 

[roscoe]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

THinking your range is going to be severely shortened with the cold temps acting on the battery.
And when they go to Li ion batteries, it may be worse.

 

[rwise]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

and that seems to be the battery of choice!

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Electric Cars vs Extreme Cold ?

diesels require a glow plug and are hard to start in low temps, once they are running then tempertures really do not matter.


The chevy guys have been pretty straight up with their technology, saying how it will work what their thoughts are about batteries etc.


Lithium is the current energy source but there are "battery" tech's being worked on.

THe demand for these new batteries is not only for cars but from the electric companies. They could run the nukes at a steady pace and store the energy at night then release it during the day.

Same thing for hydro and wind, if you could store it for when you need it.