Charging hot and cold — a tale of two Niros

Tale of two Niros

A New Year’s day travel itinerary took the Kia Niro to temperatures as low as 12°F. The results were far worse than expected and results in this tale of two Niros.

This is our second winter with the Niro electric vehicle (EV) and last year’s experience was generally quite positive, with range never dropping below 235 miles. However, this winter has brought generally colder weather with many more overnights in the twenties. But actual travel in temperatures below this were rare to non-existent.

Moreover, we touted the car’s warm weather range, topping out at 325 miles. The contrast could not be more acute and we are left to wonder if the vehicle will recover the extraordinary number seen just six months ago.

First charge

We did a 100% charge to start the trip, with an expected range of 255 miles after a ~35°F charge. This was honestly a confidence builder.

However, it took an additional two charges to reach our destination some 300 miles away. The first leg featured a lot of uphill, which chewed up additional miles and by the time we hit our first charge point, temperatures were in the teens. Range dipped to ~200 miles and never recovered.

Final charge

The range figure seen in the second image is at 83% charge, or 200 miles extrapolated to 100%. We charged to that number to cover the rest of our distance with a 40 mile cushion. On arrival, there was but 25 miles remaining.

It was a rough showing on the range side. On the plus side, the car otherwise never missed a beat.

Its useful to note that at the outside temperatures encountered we used at least a small amount of heat the entire time, which tends to reduce range about 10%.

Temperatures here in the east are set to recover into the 40s and the intent is to give the Niro a charge boost and cross our fingers…

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