DU Community Help

Last edited Mon Nov 13, 2023, 06:36 AM - Edit history (1)

The storage capacity of the battery will decrease over time, significantly reducing the car's original range. Also, because cold winter temperatures increase electrical resistance, the car's range may be reduced in wintertime.

In your mild climate, cold temperatures won't be nearly the concern that they are here in Minnesota, where the winter range of my plug-in hybrid is only half what it is in the early summer. However, I think you should expect that over a few years' time your battery's capacity will diminish to the point where you enjoy only about half the range you had when the car was new.

I don't think this should deter you from getting an EV or a plug-in hybrid. I've been very pleased with my own plug-in hybrid these past ten years. I do think, though, that for your long-term planning you should cut the manufacturer's nominal range roughly in half.