Winter Test Drives: Chinese EVs Face Inner Mongolia’s Chill

Chinese Electric Vehicles Undergo Rigorous Winter Testing

China’s largest automotive publication, Autohome, conducted winter tests on electric vehicles in the harsh conditions of Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia. A total of 31 models were put through their paces, ranging from budget to premium vehicles. These cars traveled at a speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) until their batteries were completely drained, facing air temperatures between -10°C to -25°C.

Leading the results were sedans and liftbacks, benefiting from better aerodynamics: the YangWang U7 from BYD, a flagship sedan with a gigantic 135.5 kWh battery, covered 372.9 km (231 miles), but also displayed high energy consumption of 40.2 kWh/100 km. The second-generation Xpeng P7 offered a good balance, managing 366.7 km (228 miles) with a 92.2 kWh battery. Meanwhile, the Zeekr 001 2026 version, equipped with 925 hp engines and a 103 kWh battery, achieved 362.1 km (225 miles). Tesla’s Model 3 secured fourth place with a distance of 361.8 km (224 miles), showcasing excellent energy efficiency.

Significant Performances in Various Segments

Crossover category leaders included the Geely EX5, covering 260.9 km (162 miles) among mass models, while the Xiaomi YU7 excelled in the premium segment with 319 km (198 miles). In specialty versions, the 6-seater Tesla Model Y L, designed specifically for China, traveled 270.9 km (168 miles). The MG 4 hatchback displayed a respectable result for its class with 225.8 km (140 miles).

The ArcFox T1 hatchback showed the poorest result overall. Despite its compact size, it consumed a lot of energy and was only able to reach 160.8 km (100 miles) out of the claimed 425 km (264 miles). The electric ‘G-Class’ (Mercedes-Benz G580) also underperformed with 216 km (134 miles) at a substantial consumption of 51.9 kWh/100 km.

This test demonstrated that in winter conditions, the real-world range of electric vehicles can be reduced by 40-60% of the manufacturer-reported values. Industry experts have noted the critical need for innovations that can enhance battery performance and efficiency in cold weather. Since these results have been made public, manufacturers have been actively exploring ways to optimize thermal management systems and improve overall battery technology.

Global Implications and Future Outlook

As global automakers face increasing pressure to deliver robust EV performance in diverse climates, these test results offer crucial insights. They emphasize the relevance of formidable winter performance for enhancing consumer confidence in regions with harsh winters. Automotive companies are likely to focus on enhancing battery life and coping mechanisms for extreme weather, which could drive significant advancements in EV technology globally.