{"id":100765,"date":"2026-08-20T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ru.law\/?p=100765"},"modified":"2026-08-17T15:11:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T13:11:32","slug":"e-auto-reichweite-im-winter-normal-oder-mangel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ru.law\/en\/e-auto-reichweite-im-winter-normal-oder-mangel\/","title":{"rendered":"Range loss in winter for electric cars \u2013 normal effect or real defect?"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to distinguish weather-related losses from a technical defect and refute the most common objection of the dealer.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The range of every electric car decreases in winter; this is normal and usually not a defect. However, the situation is different if the reduction is permanent or persists even in milder temperatures. This article explains how to distinguish between these two scenarios and when a closer look is warranted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why the range decreases in winter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several technical reasons why an electric car has a shorter range in cold weather. The most important is that, unlike a combustion engine vehicle, which generates waste heat while driving, an electric car has to actively heat its interior using energy from the drive battery. This energy is then no longer available for propulsion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the battery itself has a comfortable operating temperature, roughly between 20 and 40 degrees Celsius. In cold weather, the conductivity in the cells decreases, the usable capacity temporarily drops, and the thermal management system heats the battery up even more. Winter tires with higher rolling resistance, the denser cold air, and weaker regenerative braking also contribute to increased energy consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to ADAC studies, the range loss in sub-zero temperatures is often around 20 to 30 percent. On short trips or in severe frost, it can be even higher. A heat pump and preheating at the charging point can noticeably mitigate this effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is your electric car losing significantly more power in winter than these figures would suggest? Have it checked to see if the cold weather is still the cause or if there's already a defect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Normal effect: when winter loss is not a deficiency<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A weather-related loss of range is not legally considered a defect. It is to be expected and affects every electric car. Two characteristics are crucial: the loss only occurs in cold weather, and it disappears again as soon as temperatures rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As long as the range recovers in spring and reaches its usual levels in summer, everything points to a normal temperature effect. In this case, the dealer's frequent objection that it's simply due to winter is justified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those wishing to mitigate the effect can preheat the vehicle at the charging point so that the energy comes from the grid and not the battery, use an existing heat pump, and opt for seat heating instead of pure air heating. However, these measures do not change the legal assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does your range recover in the spring? Then everything is usually fine. If it remains low, you should take a closer look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the loss indicates a genuine shortage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It can no longer be considered a mere winter effect if the loss is persistent or significantly exceeds the usual level. Several indicators then point to a technical defect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n