Battery breakthrough lets electric cars run longer in extreme cold

A boost in battery chemistry could enable electric vehicles to run longer and charge faster, even in extremely cold temperatures. That improvement may prevent long lines at charging stations during the winter.

Both hot and very cold conditions can impact the performance of an electric vehicle’s lithium-ion battery, especially when the vehicle’s heating or air-conditioning system kicks in. This limits its driving range at extreme temperatures. A 2019 study by the American Automobile Association found the average electric…