I’ve Owned a Chevy Equinox EV for Three Months Where It’s Been 10–25 Degrees and I’m Only Getting 102 Miles of Range which Is Only One Third of What GM Advertised

EV owners will tell you that their cars are better than gas powered in almost every way. The one complaint that we consistently see is that EV range suffers in cold weather. To be clear, all cars (gas and electric) suffer range loss in the winter due to increased rolling resistance, thicker fluids in the drivetrain, dense cold air increases aerodynamic drag, and energy used to heat the car. It can feel more dramatic in EVs because they make energy use visible in miles and percentages where the loss in gas powered cars is hidden behind frequent refueling.

How bad is the cold weather range loss in EVs and is it even worth discussing? We combed through long social media posts to get a feel. One that we looked at was on the Facebook Chevy Equinox EV group page where InspiringElk5014 posted: 

“I’ve owned a Chevy Equinox EV for three months where it’s been 10-25 degrees and I’m only getting 102 miles of range, This is only one third of what GM advertised

Yes it has been cold. It’s been fluctuating between 10 and 25 degrees in Michigan.

I have owned a Chevy equinox EV LT for three months.

Is this electric-mileage acceptable?

I’m getting 1.2mi/kWh.

The battery size of the car is 85 kWh

The math is 1.2 mi/kWh x 85 kWh = 102 miles.

They advertised it running over 300 miles all over the places, while its actual mileage is only 1/3 of that!”

There was a long flurry of responses starting with this from Tanner Bretches:

“Are you preconditioning the car off of shore power? Is this on the turn pike heading into a head wind?

I've driven in negative temps on the interstate and it does around 1.6 - 1.9 mi/kWh”

Terral Artis advised:

“Slow down while driving. I only get 1.2 if it's below 20 degrees F and driving 75 mph with the heater on 74. I drive 120 miles per day. No issues if I charge to 90 percent first when really cold.”

Brad Grier added his observation from driving EVs for years in Nebraska:

“I've been driving Chevy EVs (first a Bolt and now an EQEV) for years in Nebraska. My winter mi/kWh has never been remotely that low but then I precondition and make sure the tires are properly inflated, etc. My average on the EQEV since June of 2024 is 3.6 mi/kWh. That's better than the lifetime average on my Bolt. I assume that's because of the heat pump.”

What is the Chevy Equinox EV Winter Range?

So what is the range of the Chevy Equinox EV in winter conditions? After looking at numerous test, we found that one done by “EV Monitoring” to be the most realistic.

They performed a subzero range test of a 2025 Chevy Equinox EV LT all-wheel drive-in extreme Midwest winter conditions. The test begins at minus six degrees Fahrenheit, later dropping as low as minus twelve. The battery was charged to 100% and preconditioned for about ten minutes, simulating a real road trip departure from a hotel or public charger. 

The Chevy Equinox EV Configuration Chosen for the Winter Range Test

EV Monitoring chose the all-wheel drive LT trim because it offers a rated range of 309 miles, an 85-kilowatt hour battery, and dual motors that significantly improve performance in winter confidence. The AWD system reduces the zero to sixty time from eight seconds to about 5.8 seconds. The tested vehicle had a single $2,000 option package with heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a full safety suite including a 360-degree camera. The total price comes in just under forty thousand dollars.

Driving Method 

The range test was conducted at a steady 75 miles per hour, which EV Monitoring considers more realistic than the 70 mile per hour tests often used elsewhere. Climate control is set to 72 degrees, with heated seats on medium. Wind conditions included a headwind on the outbound leg and a tailwind on the return, using a loop route to balance the effects. Efficiency and range updates are recorded every ten percent of battery usage.

Early Results and Cabin Heating Impact 

At 25% battery usage, the car had traveled only about 35 miles, averaging roughly 1.4 miles per kilowatt hour. EV Monitoring noted that the cabin heating system appeared less efficient than others they had tested, forcing higher fan speeds to prevent window fogging. This additional energy draw clearly impacted efficiency. Despite this, highway comfort and cabin quietness are highlighted as strong points, with the Equinox feeling quieter than many gas and electric vehicles.

Midpoint Observations and Range Estimation 

At around 50% battery remaining, the vehicle had traveled just under 70 miles and efficiency improved slightly to about 1.5 miles per kilowatt hour as the route turned into a tailwind. EV Monitoring pointed out that the miles remaining estimate is wildly optimistic, while the battery percentage provides a much more reliable planning tool. Google Maps range predictions appeared more accurate than the vehicle’s own range estimate, likely because navigation accounts for weather and driving conditions.

Low Battery Behavior and Turtle Mode 

As the battery dropped to around 12%, the vehicle began issuing reduced acceleration warnings, with turtle mode indicators appearing around 11%. This happens earlier than expected compared to other EVs, which usually limit power closer to 5% to 8%. Despite the warnings, the vehicle is still capable of maintaining moderate speeds, though EV Monitoring exited the highway due to traffic and safety concerns rather than complete power loss.

Final Range Result

The test ended at roughly 145 miles driven, with efficiency peaking around 1.7 miles per kilowatt hour thanks to the tailwind. EV Monitoring concluded that a realistic cold weather range for the 2025 Chevy Equinox EV AWD LT in subzero conditions is between 145 and 150 miles. This is far below the advertised rating but reflects the severity of the weather and sustained highway speed.

Bottom Line

This range test shows how dramatically extreme cold and cabin heating can reduce EV range, even in a well-equipped, modern vehicle like the Chevy Equinox EV. While the car excels in comfort, quietness, and winter traction, its subzero highway range is less than half of its EPA rating. The results provide valuable real-world data for winter road trip planning and highlight why temperature, speed, and heating demand matter far more than advertised numbers when conditions turn harsh.

The Chevy Equinox EV

The Chevy Equinox EV is a fun and practical all-electric compact SUV that brings everyday usability to electric driving. It launched in 2023 as part of Chevrolet’s push to expand its EV lineup, offering a comfortable interior, easy handling, and solid technology for daily life. What sets it apart from many other EVs is its value oriented pricing, available all-wheel drive, and a familiar SUV shape that appeals to people moving from gas vehicles to electric. Pricing typically starts around forty thousand dollars, with well-equipped versions landing closer to the mid forty thousand range. It is sold as a five passenger SUV, giving buyers a roomy ride with a familiar hatchback cargo area instead of a sedan or coupe body style.

What Do You Think?

What kind of winter range are you actually seeing in your EV, and how cold does it get where you live?

Did you expect this level of winter range loss when you bought an EV, or was it a surprise?

Chris Johnston is the author of SAE’s comprehensive book on electric vehicles, "The Arrival of The Electric Car." His coverage on Torque News focuses on electric vehicles. Chris has decades of product management experience in telematics, mobile computing, and wireless communications. Chris has a B.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA. He lives in Seattle. When not working, Chris enjoys restoring classic wooden boats, open water swimming, cycling and flying (as a private pilot). You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and follow his work on X at ChrisJohnstonEV.

Photo credit: Provided by author