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[ashnazg]

Took my first "cold ride" this morning.  40mph in 32F = 16F... not cool    We don't go outside much in Alabama when it's that cold :-P

Can't say I noticed any performance or range issues, though I was not actively looking for either.  The XU is a short range bike, so my 7 miles to work used half a charge as usual.

[protomech]

We do when we have to get to work : P

Also, hi ash. I think I've been talking with you recently?

[kbfcanada]

So here's my recent experience with cold temperatures in an EV. Unfortunately not with my Zero, as the roads are WAY too icy and snowpacked to take it out. Last month I received my Tesla Model S, and it is sweet. It arrived in the middle of a cold snap, and in Manitoba that means COLD. The lowest temperatures I drove it in were -32*C with a (standing) windchill of -43*. Everything worked well, even after standing outside for several hours in an exposed parking lot. The car will turn off regen braking if it is too cold, because it can't charge up the battery below freezing, but discharge is fine. I've had no trouble with electronics. Range obviously decreases, although part of it is because the Tesla has a thermal management system that heats up the battery pack (so that it can be recharged, and regen kicks back on after driving for about 10 minutes in -30*).

I'm GUESSING that in extreme conditions the Zero should drive alright, with seriously reduced range, but don't expect to charge outside a garage. I just don't have the gear right now to drive in our crazy cold (I need to borrow my dad's snowmobile helmet & suit, and get some serious winter tires on, maybe chains). Maybe next winter! Do we know if Zero has done any cold-weather testing (and not just Californian cold)?

[Richard230]

I think it hit 40 degrees F in Scotts Valley this morning.   

[dahlheim]

just to add info to the database.

been mostly storing my 12ds9 in the attached garage where it's about 10F above ambient.  we had an inversion in our valley which held single-digit daily temps for several weeks this winter.  on a coupola very cold days i noticed the flashing pattern in the com window was different, and i assumed thanks to this forum that it was likely too cold to properly charge/maintain the battery.  anyway, the manual said leave the bike plugged in when not in use so i did.  unplugged it finally recently a coupola days in a row and it just fired up and ran like it always does.  no noticeable performance difference.  it did consume a bit more energy according to the kill-a-watt on recharging after riding in 25-30F and storing the bike outside in those temps for 9h.  how much i'm not sure due to inconsistent monitoring on my part.  anyway, i'm happy

[benswing]

After a few weeks of miserable weather, I finally got to ride my Zero S in 30-40 degree weather but the sun was shining!  She ran like a champ and I went a little more than 55 miles, mostly on highways and returned home with one bar remaining.  Based on past experience, temperature and my throttle preferences (ie-bat out of hell) this is what I estimated at the beginning of the day. 

Motorcycle had been plugged in without being used for about 3 weeks and ran like a beauty as soon as I turned her on.  Man I love this bike!

[Richard230]

Here is someone who took a cold ride on his new Empulse R.  It looks to me like the Empulse's batteries don't like to be cold:

http://freepz.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/i-hate-cold-weather-and-so-does-the-empulse/

[kingcharles]

If you want good cold weather batteries than you can always go for NiMH...
Li just does not like cold weather.

That is why I will only trade in my NiMH bike for a Li bike which has battery heaters.

[spelunker]

I'm guessing it would be impractical to have winter batteries and summer batteries.

[ZeroSinMA]

This is my 3rd cold weather test ride. All three similar results.

Storage temp: 40F
Riding air temp: 34F
Distance: 30mi
Ave. speed: 35MPH
Bars used: 4

Virtually the same as in warm weather.

[WindRider]

This was a cold ride.   There were people riding snowmobiles right next to this photo.

I made a 67 mile loop on this ride and had one bar left when I got back to base.

[Richard230]

Well, I'm impressed.   

[spelunker]

What was your average speed?

[WindRider]

45-60 MPH on the loop.   Average probably somewhere between 50-55 MPH.

[ZeroSinMA]

45-60 MPH on the loop.   Average probably somewhere between 50-55 MPH.

How do you keep your hands and feet warm for that long?