Heat waves are slamming drivers across the U.S. this summer, and with them comes one familiar question: what drains EV range more, the A/C or speed?
The good news: Geotab’s latest data, compiled by analyzing more than 3 million real-world EV trips, settles it.
The bigger range killer is how fast you’re pushing down the highway. Not how you’re cooling the cabin.
Let’s break it down:
A typical electric van at 50 mph in 86°F heat can hit around 143 miles of range.
Push that same van to 80 mph, and you’re down to 88 miles, a 39% drop.
Similarly, an electric sedan at 50 mph pulls off about 277 miles.
But at 80 mph, that sedan’s range drops to 200 miles—a 28% hit.
That’s a crystal clear signal that the faster you go, the harder the battery has to work to overcome aerodynamic drag, which means less range, regardless of the A/C.
Why it matters to drivers: Geotab points out that EV buyers often expect the same behavior they’re used to in gas cars.
However, EVs don’t get more efficient at higher speeds; they burn through range faster.
That mismatch is where frustration starts. Because when the car doesn’t perform how owners expected, they feel misled.
Based on Geotab’s findings: There are simple ways to offset that hit to range.
For example, dropping speed by 10–15 mph can stretch range 10–20%
Pre-cooling the cabin while plugged in draws from the grid, not the battery
And if we are talking A/C usage, opting to use recirculate mode and parking in the shade helps lighten the load.
Why dealers should care: Instead of letting buyers fixate on the A/C because it’s what they notice, it’s a chance to show how speed quietly kills range. That kind of effort sticks and helps close the deal.
What they’re saying: “If drivers know what to expect, they can be wowed by their experience, rather than confused (or worse: disappointed),” Liz Najman, director of market insights at Recurrent, told CDG News.
Big picture: The car shopper who gets the full story upfront (the good, the bad, the fine print) is the one who comes back, buys again, and sends their friends.
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