Electric Vehicles Lose Up to 44% Range in Extreme Heat Spain Test

Recent testing by What Car? reveals that electric vehicles (EVs) experience a significant reduction in battery range during extreme heat, with losses up to 44%. The study involved driving a Citroen e-C3 Max, Kia EV3, and Tesla Model 3 in temperatures from 32°C to 44°C in southern Spain, where the Tesla Model 3's range dropped by 44%, the Kia by 32%, and the Citroen by 29% compared to their official WLTP ranges. This average 35% shortfall in range during heatwaves exceeds the reductions seen in winter tests and raises concerns as global temperatures rise. Will Nightingale, reviews editor at What Car?, emphasized the challenge for EVs to cope with increasingly common heatwaves, noting the importance of technological advancement to improve EV performance in extreme temperatures. Despite these challenges, the efficiency measured by miles per kilowatt-hour showed the Tesla as the most efficient among the tested vehicles. The findings highlight a critical issue for EV users and potential buyers, especially as climate change contributes to more frequent and intense heat conditions.