ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

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)?

Is there a big problem with leaving it uncovered? Obviously if one is riding in serious mud it might be hard to clean after, but have there been any issues with water getting in? I just leave it, rain or shine, and have blown dust out of it a couple of times (and I drive a lot of gravel roads and occasionally in the rain). But I don't want to mess up my bike!

Were we supposed to get a belt tension tool (I have a 2012 DX)?

I also prefer the belt over chains - I like to ride as quietly as possible!

I took a short ride this afternoon around the block, carefully since I don't have winter tires. LOTS of snow. It was about -13 C (8.6F) with a windchill of -23 (-9.4F). It did fine, but of course I do keep it in a garage, here! I probably should have worn a helmet, but I'm a crazy canuck and it wasn't THAT cold...

I would strongly encourage you to be cautious while testing the lower operational limit - make sure you have a backup plan for transportation if the bike shuts down (or more likely, refuses to start up after a cold soak) while you are exposed to the environment. I don't know what the freezing point for the electrolyte in the batteries is, but you obviously want to avoid that as well. (EIG says -30C / -22 F is the minimum storage temperature).

All that said.. I'd love to read what you find out.

I work at home over the winter, so it would just be around the neighbourhood. Definitely not into being stranded on a gravel road in winter!

I wouldn't mind getting cruise control; although setting my DS to eco mode is kind of like cruise on the highway (full throttle is a tad fast for our speed limits, but for my commute it works)