As you might have heard, the UK is facing its worst heat wave in living memory. With temperatures as high as 40°C in parts of the country, portable fans and paddling pools aren’t quite cutting it. To beat the scorching heat, drivers are turning to their cars’ air conditioning as a much-needed relief from houses that are starting to feel like pizza ovens.
Every summer, an old argument resurfaces once again – that the range of electric vehicles decreases significantly in hot weather. In spite of all the benefits they bring to the table, some drivers are still reluctant to swap their old petrol or diesel car for an electric vehicle.
With this in mind, we have decided to debunk four myths about EVs and their range in hot weather.
1.Air conditioning drains an EV’s battery range
One of the most common arguments against EVs is that their battery range is drastically reduced when the air conditioning is on. While it’s true that your battery consumption will be higher with the air con on, the same could be said about petrol/diesel cars. According to research, using air conditioning will increase the fuel consumption of a petrol/diesel car by around 10%.
And what about EVs? Because electric cars are still relatively new, no definitive study has been conducted on the impact of air conditioning on their battery. That being said, early research suggests that the impact is about the same as in a petrol/diesel car.
Put simply, hot weather doesn’t dramatically reduce an EV’s range any more than it does for the vehicles we’re used to. In fact, the impact of air conditioning on an EV’s battery is less noticeable than that of heating. So don’t worry – the chances of being stuck on the road because you turned the air conditioning on are extremely slim.
2.Air conditioning in EVs is weaker
This is yet another misconception about EVs. The logic is as follows – because their air conditioning isn’t as strong as that of petrol/diesel cars, you’ve got to keep it on at all times. This means that your energy consumption is higher, leaving you with a drastically reduced range. But is that accurate? Not really.
The truth is that the air conditioning systems in electric vehicles are the same as in petrol/diesel cars. The only difference is that, because an EV has no engine, it is the electric motor that powers it. But in terms of user experience, you would never be able to notice the difference.
In fact, some EVs – such as Teslas – use a heating and air conditioning system designed with a compressor similar to a kitchen refrigerator. This compressor works off 400 volts and usually sits at the front of the car. It sends refrigerant liquid through the vehicle’s chilling unit. This in turn cools the air before it reaches the air conditioning vents – making it even stronger.
3.There are barely any convertible EVs
As great as air conditioning is, there’s no better remedy for the heat than cruising down the motorway on a convertible with the roof open. Apart from being easy on the eye, convertibles are great value for money. Because you don’t need to use the air conditioning that much, convertibles help you keep energy costs at a minimum.
Fortunately, convertibles are not just the preserve of diesel vehicles. While it’s true that the market of convertible EVs was fairly small a decade ago, the number of electric convertibles has grown considerably in recent years.
In fact, more and more car manufacturers are jumping on the convertible EV bandwagon. For example, the BMW Group has recently announced that they’re currently developing an EV version of their classic Mini Cooper. Expected to be available by 2025, it will be a welcome addition to the already substantial catalogue of convertible electric vehicles.
And if luxury is what you’re looking for, look no further than the Tesla Roadster. Capable of going from a standstill to 60mph in less than 2 seconds, driving this fully electric rocket is just like standing next to a massive fan at full power. After six years in production, the new Roadster will be launched in 2023.
But you don’t have to wait that long to drive a quality electric convertible. A classic hatchback like the Fiat 500 is already available in its convertible version. With an electric range of 199 miles, this is a great option for drivers keen on going on weekend trips away with family or friends.
Other electric convertibles include the Smart EQ Fortwo Cabrio.
4.EVs get hotter than petrol/diesel cars at a standstill
Of all the false myths about EVs in hot weather, this might be the easiest one to debunk. Almost every EV on the market includes a preconditioning setting that keeps it at an optimal temperature even during extreme weather. And all it takes is a few taps on your phone.
Most EVs are smart vehicles, which means that they come with a phone app that allows you to change their internal temperature accordingly. Let’s say that you have a long trip ahead and the weather is hotter than usual. All you need to do is input the weather forecast into your app and it will turn the air conditioning on while it is re-charging.
On top of cooling your car’s interior, pre-conditioning will also keep your battery temperature low. This means that your driving will be safer and more energy-efficient. And if there’s a sudden change of weather, you can pre-condition your EV to adjust it to colder outside temperatures. Instead of the air conditioning, your car’s smart system will turn the heating on.
Best of all, pre-conditioning can save you hundreds of pounds a year. Why? It’s easy. By keeping your car at a low temperature before you hit the road, you won’t need to use the air con as much. And even better, by pre-conditioning your car, you’ll be cooling it with your house electricity instead of with your car battery. This will keep charging expenses to a bare minimum, as charging at home will always be cheaper than on the road.
Protect yourself from the heat with an EV
Don’t be fooled – anything that a petrol/diesel car can do, an electric car can do (and in some cases better). With thousands of charging points available across the UK, there has never been a better time to start driving an electric vehicle. So don’t get left behind – contact our expert account managers today for the best EV leasing deals currently available.
