Winter driving conditions and cold temperatures can have a significant effect on a vehicle’s fuel economy.
December 14, 2020
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Winter driving conditions and cold temperatures can have a significant effect on a vehicle’s fuel economy. For a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle, fuel economy at 20°F in city driving is about 15% lower than at 77°F. The effect of temperature on electrified vehicles is even more pronounced. Hybrid vehicles, which rely on a larger battery, can experience a decrease in fuel economy of around 30% while all-electric vehicles can experience a decrease in fuel economy of nearly 40% in cold temperatures. Tests were conducted in a controlled laboratory setting. For more information on the effects of winter conditions on fuel economy, visit Fuel Economy in Cold Weather.
Note: The term hybrid vehicle refers to a conventional hybrid and not a mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle. Actual fuel economy will vary by vehicle, driving conditions, and many other factors.
Source: The U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website, "Fuel Economy in Cold Weather."