BMW i4 tops list of electric vehicles most durable in winter
Winter can be tough on electric vehicles, but some models handle the cold better than others. A January 2026 study by B2B car company eCarsTrade examined EVs’ resilience, performance, and safety to determine which vehicles perform best in low temperatures.
The report measured winter range loss, rated range, overall efficiency, and fatal crashes per 100,000 cars sold. Battery specifications such as total capacity and maximum charging rate were also considered, along with vehicle price, to calculate a Winter EV Worthiness Score.
BMW i4 emerged as the most reliable EV during winter. The model loses only 18% of its range in cold conditions, charges at up to 113 kW, and consumes just 168 Wh per kilometer. Safety is also a highlight, with only seven fatal crashes per 100,000 cars sold.
Top EVs for winter performance
Audi e-tron ranks second, with the least range loss at 14.5%. Its rated range is 430 km, and it supports fast charging at 204 kW. The vehicle’s price averages $101.4K.
BMW iX ranks third, balancing affordability at $84.2K with strong safety, losing 17% of its range in winter. Tesla Model Y comes fourth, with a range of 450 km and only 15% winter range loss. It spends 164 Wh per km, making it highly efficient in cold conditions. Tesla Model 3 offers the longest range at 464 km and the best energy efficiency in the top 10 at 143 Wh per km.
Insights and tips for winter EV driving
Filipp Sevostianov, CEO at eCarsTrade, explained that preconditioning EV batteries can cut winter range loss in half. Drivers who warm their car while plugged in can improve efficiency by 5–7% and save 3–4% more battery, adding up to 15–30 extra winter miles.
Sevostianov also noted a safety gap: many buyers are unaware of features that could prevent cold-weather hazards. Automakers must educate owners to fully leverage EV capabilities and reduce liability risks.
