Cited by 110Electric Vehicles and InfrastructureBattery Modeling and ManagementElectric and Hybrid Vehicle Technologies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 203 of the 203 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 319 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Electric Vehicles Under Low Temperatures: A Review on Battery Performance, Charging Needs, and Power Grid Impacts

Open access

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining mainstream adoption as more countries introduce net-zero carbon targets for the near future. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, the most commonly used energy storage technology in EVs, are temperature sensitive, and their performance degradates at low operating temperatures due to increased internal resistance. The existing literature on EV-power grid studies assumes that EVs are used under “perfect temperatures" (e.g. 21 Celsius) and temperature-related issues are ignored. In addition, most of the countries/regions with high EV penetration (e.g. Norway, Canada, northern parts of the US and China, etc.) experience harsh cold months, making it extremely critical to understand EV performance and consequently their impacts on the electrical power networks. In this paper, we present a systematic review of the literature that considers the combined investigation of Li-ion battery technology and power networks, with a focus on their operation under suboptimal weather conditions. More specifically, we review: (i) the impact of low temperatures on the electrochemical performance of EV batteries in parking, charging and driving modes, (ii) the challenges experienced by EVs during charging and associated performance degradation, and (iii) the additional impacts of EV charging on the power networks. Our analysis shows that there are serious research gaps in literature and industry applications, which may hinder mass EV adoption and cause delays in charging station roll-out.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review synthesizes literature on how low temperatures degrade Li-ion EV battery performance, prolong charging, and intensify power-grid impacts such as harmonics, voltage issues, and peak demand. It argues that existing EV-grid studies largely assume optimal temperatures, leaving serious research gaps for cold-climate EV adoption and charging infrastructure planning.

Key findings

  • Low temperatures reduce usable battery energy and power: usable energy of Li-ion cells at −10°C is 75% of the 25°C value for the same 50 A current, and capacity is maximum around 21°C but significantly reduces below 0°C.
  • Fast charging is severely affected: a 50 kW fast charger’s power conversion efficiency is 93% at 25°C versus 39% at −25°C; in Norway, 50 kW stations delivered an average 30.2 kW, with sessions averaging 20.5 minutes and 9.6 kWh, and summer–winter average charging power differed by 6.63 kW.
  • Driving range drops sharply: the Nissan Leaf falls from 161 km at 25°C to 49 km at −25°C, and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV from 128 km at 21°C to 42 km at −25°C; Canadian studies report a 1.1 km range decrease per 1°C reduction and a 20% decrease at −7°C versus 20°C.
  • Grid impacts intensify in cold: harmonics increase as charging power falls at low temperatures, with THD exceeding standards at subzero temperatures; one UK simulation found an additional 630 MW generation needed to charge 11 million EVs in winter versus optimal temperatures, with carbon intensity potentially rising 25% on low-wind days.

Methods

  • Systematic literature review combining Li-ion battery technology and power-network studies, focused on EV operation under suboptimal weather conditions.
  • Reviews three areas: battery electrochemical performance in parking, charging, and driving modes; EV charging challenges and degradation; and additional power-grid impacts of EV charging.
  • Synthesizes empirical studies, battery ageing and charging models, power-quality standards, and case data from cold-climate regions including Norway, Sweden, Canada, and the UK; no new primary experiments are reported.

Limitations

  • The paper states serious research gaps in literature and industry applications, including that harmonics under low temperatures are an “untouched area” and that no research was found to accurately model EV charger circuit data with probabilistic perspectives.
  • It states battery modelling is challenging due to complex electrochemical processes, non-linear behaviour, high variability among battery types, and limited data availability.
  • The review primarily focuses on low temperatures because EV penetration is higher in cold-climate countries; high-temperature effects are noted as similar but not the main scope. Evident from the text: as a review, its findings depend on cited secondary studies and may not generalize beyond the reviewed regions and conditions.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1109/access.2023.3268615

Cites

203 of 203 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

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Verification

Claims the paper makes

0 of 319 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

Show all 223 claims

  • Probably not a substantial claim. 103
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 99
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 3
183 of 183
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Li-ion batteries are the most commonly used energy storage technology in EVs.

    “Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, the most commonly used energy storage technology in EVs, are temperature sensitive, and their performance degradates at low operating temperatures due to increased internal resistance.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    EV penetration is much higher in cold-climate countries.

    “However, this study primarily focuses on the impacts of low temperatures because EV penetration is much higher in cold-climate countries, and we take a holistic review of the effects of low temperatures on EVs and power grids with case studies and mitigation strategies.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many studies today assume that EVs operate under optimum temperature conditions.

    “Therefore, it is essential to investigate the effects of low temperatures on EV batteries, as many studies today assume that EVs operate under optimum temperature conditions.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Li-ion batteries are the most expensive part of EVs.

    “Protecting and improving the life of Li-ion batteries is critical since they are the most expensive part of EVs.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Varying temperature conditions make battery modelling more complicated.

    “Battery modelling is a challenging task, as mentioned previously, but the varying temperature conditions can make it even more complicated.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Li-ion batteries exhibit non-linear behaviour under different temperatures due to alternations in the electrochemical.

    “Li-ion batteries exhibit non-linear behaviour under different temperatures due to alternations in the electrochemical.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The formation and growth of the SEI layer on the anode is the primary ageing mechanism for calendar ageing.

    “The formation and growth of the SEI layer on the anode is the primary ageing mechanism for calendar ageing.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The most significant factors affecting calendar ageing are parking duration, temperature, and SoC levels.

    “The most significant factors affecting calendar ageing are parking duration, temperature, and SoC levels.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The ageing that occurs while charging an EV battery is caused by cut-off voltage, current rate, and ambient temperature.

    “The ageing that occurs while charging an EV battery is caused by cut-off voltage, current rate, and ambient temperature.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Higher charging rates lead to the deterioration of batteries more rapidly.

    “Higher charging rates (C-rates) lead to the deterioration of batteries more rapidly.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The deterioration trend and the effects of charging rate vary with each battery chemistry.

    “This deterioration trend and the effects of charging rate vary with each battery chemistry.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Both charging efficiency and energy available for charging are reduced under low temperatures.

    “Both charging efficiency and energy available for charging are reduced accordingly under low temperatures.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Lithium depositing as a metal onto anode surfaces (lithium plating) is a major problem during low temperatures and at higher charging rates.

    “Besides, lithium depositing as a metal onto anode surfaces (so-called lithium plating) is a major problem during low temperatures and at higher charging rates.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Discharge of the battery due to driving has an important place in battery ageing.

    “Discharge of the battery due to driving also has an important place in the battery's ageing.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Battery degradation differs depending on the driver's behaviour and environmental conditions.

    “Since driving ageing is complex and challenging to control, battery degradation differs depending on the driver's behaviour and environmental conditions.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The everyday usage of an EV is related to the battery's depth of discharge (DoD).

    “The everyday usage of an EV is related to the battery's depth of discharge (DoD).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The speed of travel and acceleration is associated with the battery's current discharge.

    “The speed of travel and acceleration is associated with the battery's current discharge, while the most significant environmental factor influencing battery degradation during a trip is the ambient temperature.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The most significant environmental factor influencing battery degradation during a trip is ambient temperature.

    “The speed of travel and acceleration is associated with the battery's current discharge, while the most significant environmental factor influencing battery degradation during a trip is the ambient temperature.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Compared to driving-related ageing, ageing during the charging process is less intense, but easier to control and mitigate.

    “Compared to driving-related ageing, ageing during the charging process is less intense, but it is easier to control and mitigate.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Optimum temperatures and low SoC can reduce parking battery degradation.

    “Optimum temperatures and low SoC can reduce parking battery degradation, while suitable temperatures and optimized charging methods minimize battery ageing for charging.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Suitable temperatures and optimized charging methods minimize battery ageing for charging.

    “Optimum temperatures and low SoC can reduce parking battery degradation, while suitable temperatures and optimized charging methods minimize battery ageing for charging.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Thermal runaway can occur for various reasons, such as mechanical (car crash) or electrical factors (overcharging and thermal abuse).

    “Thermal runaway can occur for various reasons, such as mechanical (car crash) or electrical factors (overcharging and thermal abuse).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    If aged batteries are used under extreme temperature conditions or are charged or discharged too quickly, it can worsen the thermal runaway problem.

    “If aged batteries are used under extreme temperature conditions or are charged or discharged too quickly, it can worsen the thermal runaway problem.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    This can cause the battery to overcharge or overdischarge, leading to potentially dangerous situations.

    “This can cause the battery to overcharge or overdischarge, leading to potentially dangerous situations.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The battery's power level can be very unpredictable, mainly when using large amounts of current under low-temperature conditions.

    “In this situation, the powertrain control strategy must consider the battery's power level, which can be very unpredictable, mainly when using large amounts of current under low-temperature conditions.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Accelerated chemical reactions can cause a safety hazard when the EV is being charged.

    “Accelerated chemical reactions can cause a safety hazard when the EV is being charged.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most operational challenges that EVs experience under low temperatures are associated with thermal impacts on the EV battery.

    “Most operational challenges that EVs experience under low temperatures are associated with thermal impacts on the EV battery.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Li-ion batteries under low temperatures have demonstrated a need for advanced model-based battery management strategies in EVs.

    “Li-ion batteries under low temperatures have demonstrated a need for advanced model-based battery management strategies in EVs.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The most common technique that BTMS use to keep the batteries within the operational ranges under low temperatures is to heat the battery using an appropriate heating strategy.

    “The most common technique that BTMS use to keep the batteries within the operational ranges under low temperatures is to heat the battery using an appropriate heating strategy.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Air, liquid and phase-change materials (PCMs) are common working mediums for heating and also cooling the battery.

    “Air, liquid and phase-change materials (PCMs) are common working mediums for heating and also cooling the battery.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Air heating/cooling systems are commonly used in EVs due to this battery pack configuration.

    “Air heating/cooling systems are commonly used in EVs due to this battery pack configuration.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The heating/cooling effect can be efficiently achieved using an airflow directed at the pack.

    “The heating/cooling effect can be efficiently achieved using an airflow directed at the pack.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    EVs often use liquid heating.

    “As a result, EVs often use liquid heating.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The most significant issue with charging rapidly during low temperatures is lithium plating hazards.

    “The most significant issue with charging rapidly during low temperatures is lithium plating hazards.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Charging cold Li-ion batteries leads to metallizing of lithium plating on the anode, increasing the SEI and speeding degradation.

    “Charging cold Li-ion batteries leads to metallizing of lithium plating on the anode, increasing the SEI and speeding degradation.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    If the battery is cold, regenerative braking is restricted or turned off completely to prevent lithium plating, wasting significant energy.

    “Nevertheless, if the battery is cold, regenerative braking is restricted or even turned off completely to prevent lithium plating, which means a significant amount of energy is wasted.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Preheating the battery during driving requires additional energy from the battery to power the heating system, which can reduce the vehicle's driving range.

    “However, the main disadvantage of preheating the battery for an EV during driving is that it requires additional energy to be consumed from the battery to power the heating system, which can reduce the vehicle's driving range.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The BMS used in EVs limits current depending on battery temperature to avoid damaging battery cells.

    “The BMS used in EVs aims not to damage the battery cells by limiting the current depending on the battery temperature.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most EV batteries can accept Level 2 (hence Level 1) charging rates.

    “most EV batteries can accept Level 2 (hence Level 1) charging rates.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Energy stored in an EV battery is intended primarily for driving.

    “energy stored in the battery, which is intended to be used primarily for driving”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Fast charging rates of EVs must be independent of weather conditions to make EVs as competitive as ICEs.

    “To make EVs as competitive as ICEs, fast charging rates of EVs must be independent of weather conditions.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    These batteries cannot be charged effectively under low or high temperatures.

    “These batteries cannot be charged effectively under low or high temperatures.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The harmonic phase angle behaviour observed for two EVs during fast charging is representative of EV fleets connected to the same feeder.

    “There was no synchronisation or random behaviour in the harmonic phase angles of the two EVs for fast charging.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Electric network generation and demand must be balanced in real-time; otherwise, the grid frequency deviates from its nominal value.

    “Electric network generation and demand must be balanced in real-time; otherwise, the grid frequency deviates from its nominal value.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Ambient temperatures in Europe, the US, and China vary between -30°C and +40°C.

    “In Europe, the US, and China, ambient temperatures vary between -30°C to +40°C and their impacts on the EV batteries cannot be neglected.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Preheating of EVs, especially in cold mornings, will be required for EV owners who commute to work and school.

    “First, preheating of EVs, especially in cold mornings, will be required for EV owners who commute to work and school.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The morning commute time of most drivers is within a short time frame.

    “Considering the fact that the morning commute time of most drivers could be within a short time frame”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Preheating times depend on battery temperature.

    “The preheating times also depend on the battery temperature.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    EVs in closed and insulated parking garages have relatively shorter preheating periods than EVs parked outside.

    “For EVs located in closed and insulated parking garages, the preheating periods could be relatively shorter than the ones that are parked outside.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Large vehicle fleets are charged overnight with the traditional charging method.

    “Large vehicle fleets are charged overnight with the traditional charging method.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Due to the location of fast-charging stations, it is not possible to charge overnight like slow chargers.

    “Moreover, due to the location of the fast-charging stations, it is not possible to charge overnight like slow chargers.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Public transport vehicles such as taxis, buses and delivery vehicles must comply with a specific schedule.

    “However, public transport vehicles such as taxis, buses and delivery vehicles must comply with a specific schedule.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The power of the charger determines the preheating time.

    “The power of the charger determines the preheating time.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Heating energy obtained by preheating while driving is supplied from energy stored in the EV battery and EV braking energy.

    “The heating energy obtained by this method is supplied from the energy stored in the EV battery and the EV braking energy.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Countries with serious net-zero targets experience long and cold winter months with average temperature around or below 0°C.

    “Since countries with serious netzero targets experience long and cold winter months (average temperature around or below 0°C), the associated impacts of EV charging require special attention to cushion negative impacts.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many studies in the literature have assumed that EVs operate at an optimum temperature of 21°C.

    “Many studies in the literature have assumed that EVs operate at an optimum temperature (21°C).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In reality, EVs are exposed to various temperature ranges while parking, charging and driving.

    “However, in reality, EVs are exposed to various temperature ranges while parking, charging and driving.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Battery swapping stations are not very common nowadays.

    “However, these stations are not very common nowadays.”
58 of 58

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Equally spaced storage states cannot include 80%

    Minor

    Eight equally spaced states spanning 0% to 100% would be about 14.29 percentage points apart, so 80% would not be one of them. The text nevertheless identifies cells stored at 80%.

  • Low-voltage IEEE THD limit is given as both 5% and 8%

    Minor

    The prose treats 5% as the IEEE voltage-THD limit at low voltage, but Table 9 lists 8% for buses at or below 1 kV. Its 5% limit applies to the higher, 1-69 kV category.

  • Stated THD denominators disagree with the equations

    Minor

    The standards discussion says the denominators in equations (7) and (8) are total rms values. The definitions accompanying those equations instead identify I1 and V1 as fundamental-frequency components.

  • External heating is described as both fast and slow

    Minor

    Table 3 calls active external heating fast, but the discussion of external heating says it takes a long time to heat the battery.

4 of 4

Citations

Cites

Items 201–203 of 203

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 32

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  14. figenbaum, 1682, Charging into the future Analysis of fast charger usage
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  31. 2019, 2019 UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Final Figures
  32. 2020, Tracking Transport 2020

Cited by

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Metadata

Authors
Senol, M., Bayram, I. S., Naderi, Y., & Galloway, S.
Affiliations
University of Strathclyde (GB)
Venue
IEEE Access
Published
2023
Volume
11
Pages
39879-39912
ISSN
2169-3536 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4366503914
Cited by
110
References
201
Citations by year
2026: 44 · 2025: 43 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 3
FWCI
7.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • IEEE Access (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Strathprints: The University of Strathclyde institutional repository (University of Strathclyde) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Republic of Turkey Ministry of National Education
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Battery Modeling and Management
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Technologies
Keywords
electric vehicles, low-temperature operation, lithium-ion batteries, battery degradation, battery charging, charging stations, grid impact, cold climate, internal resistance, electric vehicle charging infrastructure

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