How Long Can an EV Stay Warm if Stranded in Freezing Temps?

What happens if you get stranded in an electric vehicle in the cold? Volkswagen wanted to find out how long its ID.4 Pro S electric vehicle could keep you warm if you found yourself stranded on the road during a winter storm.

To find out, Volkswagen put its 2021 ID.4 Pro S (with an 82-kWh battery) to the test.

For the test, Volkswagen parked its EV vehicle for three hours with an initial cabin temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit (to simulate a car that’s already been driving), an outdoor temperature of 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and climate control set at 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Only the driver’s seat was occupied with the seat-heater at level 1.

During the three hours, Volkswagen measured the battery voltage and current consumed. Then the company calculated the energy consumption from the voltage and current values.

If a driver starts with a fully charged battery and an outdoor temperature of 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the ID.4 HVAC could keep a cabin temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 41 hours while parked, according to Volkswagen.

Real-world conditions like temperature, state of charge, and battery age could affect how long an EV can maintain a warm cabin, added Volkswagen.

The brand says that the ID.4 Pro has an EPA-estimated 280 miles of range, an increase of 20 miles from the 2021 model.