Myth: You can't run the A/C in an EV withÂout killing your battery.
Myth BustÂed: RunÂning the A/C in an EV in 90°F weathÂer results in a range loss of only 5% on averÂage.
There are many instances that would lead peoÂple to believe that runÂning the A/C in an EV would sigÂnifÂiÂcantÂly deplete the batÂtery range. For starters, it is known that EV range is impactÂed by cold weathÂer temÂperÂaÂtures, so why wouldn't the same be true for hot weathÂer temperatures?
In the winÂter time, there is a largÂer difÂferÂence between a desirÂable temÂperÂaÂture inside the car and outÂside. This requires more enerÂgy to balÂance the temÂperÂaÂture inside your vehiÂcle. HowÂevÂer, in the sumÂmer time there is a much smallÂer difÂferÂence between a desirÂable temÂperÂaÂture inside the car and outÂside. So runÂning the A/C in an EV is much less enerÂgy demandÂing than runÂning the heat.
The required range intenÂsiÂty for coolÂing an EV can be furÂther reduced through easy efforts such as utiÂlizÂing sun shades, parkÂing inside or in a shady spot, as well as coolÂing your EV while plugged in.
A batÂtery analyÂsis conÂductÂed on over 7,500 EVs found that runÂning the A/C in 85°F (29°C) weathÂer had litÂtle to no impact on the range. Even when the outÂdoor temÂperÂaÂture rose to 90°F (32°C), the analyÂsis indiÂcatÂed only a minÂiÂmal averÂage range loss of 5%. This analyÂsis debunks the myth that you can't run the A/C in an EV withÂout killing your battery.
For more inforÂmaÂtion and a furÂther look into A/C impacts on range by vehiÂcle make and modÂel visÂit: https://www.recurrentauto.com/research/what-a-c-does-to-your-range?
Source: Hough, Blake. What A/C does to your range. SumÂmer surÂvival guide for elecÂtric cars.