Everything contracts when it gets cold, because the molecules slow down. The atomic particles move closer together and take up less space, resulting in a smaller overall volume. This thermal contraction affects not just batteries. In fact, if you have an old sports injury, it may be elbowing you right now.
How Starter Batteries Just Slow Down in Winter
It’s not just your imagination that starter battery performance drops during a cold snap. The scientific reason is that its chemical reactions slow down. Lead-acid starter batteries may recover after an auto engine warms them. But lithium-ion batteries can suffer permanent damage, and store less energy.
Not only batteries are affected this way. Lubricating oil becomes thicker in gasoline motors on chilly mornings. This means that starter motor batteries, already straining with slower chemical reactions, have to work even harder.
This is often the point where the starter cranks slowly, the motor refuses to start, and we become frustrated.
The best defence is parking the auto in a warm garage overnight, according to ABC 17 News, but we don’t all have that privilege. If we resort to a jump start, or a push from friendly neighbors, we ought not to drive off right away.
We should rather wait for the motor and lubricating oil to reach normal operating temperature, assuming it is safe to do so.
How Cold Weather Affects EV Performance
Pretty much the same logic applies to lithium-ion electric vehicle battery performance. In other words, EV owners may notice their driving range is shorter in winter, and that it takes longer to charge the batteries.
However, the slower recharging rate is not down to a cold battery charger. The truth is the slower battery molecules are unable to absorb all the energy available from that charger.
An EV battery works best in a temperature range from around 20-40 degrees celsius, although individual models vary according to Mer.Eco. These batteries warm when in use, improving their performance.
We reach the same conclusion as we did with starter batteries. Park the EV in a warm garage overnight during winter (if you can). Otherwise purchase a thermal blanket, but this may be very much second prize.
More Information
Winter and Electric Cars in Portland, Maine
