Weather can have a huge impact on the range of electric vehicles, according to a Finnish company

A listed company specializing in measurement technology Vaisala The Xweather road forecast product has been expanded with a new set of data.

The company calculates that when temperatures are cold or hot, electric vehicles can lose 20% to 40% of their range from what manufacturers predict. Add in snowy roads and strong winds, and the drop could be as much as 75%.

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The service is aimed at automakers and automotive technology companies. In addition to general weather information, it provides automakers with information about road weather and road surface conditions, helping them improve real-time range predictions for electric vehicles.

So why?

Besides the commercial benefits, the service has other reasons to increase the popularity of electric vehicles, notably by lowering the barriers to entry.

According to many others besides Vaisala, electric vehicles are one of the solutions to move away from fossil fuels, but in addition to price, drivers’ concerns about the adequacy and predictability of operation have slowed down adoption. Distances. About 60% of electric vehicle drivers repeatedly experience challenges with route planning.

The operating distances shown in the car sales information are tested in a controlled manner under optimal conditions. In fact, it is known that weather and road conditions can greatly affect the operating distance, especially in Finland.

Head of Automotive Business, Vaisala Xweather Petri Marjavan According to the company, it can provide automakers and navigation companies with all weather and road parameters that affect the range of electric vehicles from a single source.

He said there are already signs in the industry that improving distance traveled forecasts is also on the agenda for automakers. Weather will be part of these future forecasts, and Vaisala aims to be a trusted supplier in this change.