Even Tesla admits range suffers in the cold, AND they keep their battery toasty.
They posted a blog about a Roadster road trip from California to the Detroit Auto Show, and when they started hitting the cold weather, they stuck snows on it and kept going.
Quote:
3) I have been experiencing some decreased range since we started heading north into the snow. There are many explanations for decreased efficiency, most of which affect gas powered cars too. For example, my new snow tires are “stickier” and when they build up with snow to help me keep my footing, they create more resistance.
Source: http://www.teslamotors.com/roadtrip/2010/01/750-speaks/
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And then they deliver this head-slapper:
Quote:
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Also, since my drivers are intent on keeping me really dirty – my aerodynamics have changed. Really, the range is MOST affected by how my drivers drive me.
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Between Nissan's "no, cold doesn't affect EV's!" and Tesla's apparently road-grime-aerodynamically-impaired Roadster, you have to wonder if anyone technical ever vets these things.