Frigid weather can cut electric vehicle range and make charging tough. Here’s what you need to know

Ankita Bansal prepares to charge her Tesla on Jan 17, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. A subzero cold snap across the US has exposed a big vulnerability for electric vehicle owners. It’s difficult to charge the batteries in single-digit temperatures. Experts say it's simple chemistry, that the electrons move slowly and don't take in or release as much energy. — AP

PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, Michigan: For nearly a week, frigid temperatures from Chicago to northern Texas have made life painful for electric-vehicle owners, with reduced driving range and hours of waiting at charging stations.

In Oak Brook, Illinois, near Chicago, on Monday, television reporters found Teslas that were running out of juice while in long lines for plugs at a Supercharger station. The temperature hit a low of -9°F (-23°C).