Automotive
The recent severe winter conditions in North America have highlighted challenges faced by certain electric vehicles in extremely cold temperatures. In Oak Brook, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, where temperatures have consistently dropped below freezing, reports surfaced of public charging stations turning into “automotive graveyards” as motorists struggled to power their electric vehicles.
Tesla owners found themselves in frustrating situations, with cars lined up and abandoned at charging stations, unable to charge within the frigid weather. One Tesla owner, Tyler Beard, shared his experience of being stranded with a dead battery even after hours of attempting to charge. Similar incidents were reported at various charging stations around Chicago, resulting in concerns amongst electric vehicle users.
Despite these challenges, Mark Bilek of the Chicago Auto Trade Association suggested that drivers were overlooking an important aspect of electrical vehicle usage – preconditioning the battery. He explained that, like all latest technology, there’s a learning curve, and drivers need to arrange the battery for optimal charging conditions by raising it to the precise temperature. Nonetheless, preconditioning also comes with a drawback – it drains the battery.
Tesla’s “Cold Weather Best Practices” advise users to activate climate settings well before departure and use the Trip Planner to navigate to a charging location for a minimum of 30-45 minutes before arrival. This process goals to make sure the battery reaches the specified temperature for optimal charging conditions.
The foundation reason for the issue lies in the fundamental behavior of batteries in freezing conditions. Inside electric vehicle batteries, ions move between positive and negative electrodes through a liquid electrolyte. As temperatures drop, this liquid thickens, slowing down the movement of ions and increasing resistance. The greater the resistance, the faster an electrical vehicle loses power.
Various firms, including South 8 Technologies and LG Chem, are working on solutions to deal with this issue. Proposals include a “Liquefied Gas Electrolyte” that operates in a wider temperature range and latest electrode chemistry to enhance charging times and temperature performance. Tesla can be working on battery technology, although its next-gen 4680 cells are facing production challenges.
These incidents function a reminder that electric vehicle battery technology remains to be in its early stages, and enhancements are obligatory to make them more resilient to extreme weather conditions. Until advancements are made, it might be advisable for electric vehicle owners to exercise caution and avoid driving during deep freezes to mitigate potential issues.
Source: MSN Autos
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This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
