In the picturesque Kashmir Valley of India, which is renowned for its apple orchards, local fruit farmers had high hopes when they purchased electric vehicles imported from China, aiming to improve their livelihoods. However, they soon discovered that these electric vehicles were unable to charge properly during the winter season. In most parts of the world, electric vehicles experience a significant decrease in their range by approximately half in cold weather.
On September 11th, a report by the American digital media outlet “The Rest of World” highlighted the story of Bashir Ahmad, a Kashmiri farmer who sold his wife’s jewelry to buy an electric three-wheeler. He had hoped that this vehicle would revolutionize his family’s apple business. Yet, when winter arrived, on a cold morning, he repeatedly pressed the ignition button but the vehicle failed to start.
The Chinese-made electric vehicle lost 60% of its battery overnight in temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit). With a large amount of apples stranded and customers eager for their produce, Ahmad had no choice but to hire a diesel truck to transport the apples to a wholesale market 56 kilometers away. This delay caused the apples to lose their freshness, resulting in lower prices. Ahmad estimated that his income for the year would decrease by a quarter.
The report mentioned that the challenges faced by Kashmiri farmers represent just the tip of the iceberg concerning global electric vehicle battery issues. While governments around the world heavily subsidize electric vehicles, this fundamental limitation was not anticipated. From Kashmir to Kansas, the range of electric vehicles almost halves in cold temperatures. Despite billions of dollars invested in technical improvements, this issue remains unsolved.
In January, the Seattle-based electric vehicle testing and analysis company, Recurrent, found that electric vehicles lose an average of 20% of their range in extreme cold weather. The 2019 records of the American Automobile Association indicated a 40% decrease in the range of electric vehicles in extremely cold weather.
Pointing to the abandoned three-wheeler in his yard, Ahmad told “The Rest of World,” “I thought this would change my life, but it ended up being a costly mistake.” The vehicle had sat idle for a long time.
The Indian government offers subsidies for farmers to purchase electric vehicles – Ahmad’s vehicle cost 300,000 rupees ($3,400), with a 40% subsidy from the government. However, no one anticipated that the lithium-ion batteries would freeze in the Himalayan Valley region.
Lithium-ion battery efficiency relies on chemical reactions, which significantly slow down in cold weather. During sudden temperature drops, electrolytes thicken, ion movement slows, charging becomes inefficient, and there is a risk of fire.
A renewable energy researcher from the National Institutes of Technology in the Kashmir region told “The Rest of World” that consumers only considered the purchase price of these vehicles without taking into account their operating environment. Many electric vehicle users, like Ahmad, only discovered after the fact that the technology sold to them was not suitable for their living conditions.
This scenario is repeated globally, with manufacturers acknowledging the issue. Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD suggests in their manual that drivers charge indoors and turn on the heating. However, this advice is impractical for farmers who park their vehicles in open courtyards. A survey covering 293 Chinese cities found that many drivers in cold regions purchase electric vehicles as a supplement and still rely on gasoline-powered cars in winter.
In Kashmir, the economic impact of battery failures is significant. The valley sells 2 million tons of apples annually, with a trade volume of $2 billion, employing nearly half of the state’s workforce. Dependence on transportation during the apple harvest is crucial, but electric vehicles fail to operate in cold weather.
Sajad Ahmad, an orchard owner in Baramulla, said, “We charge the vehicle fully, but by morning, it’s already down to 40% before the first trip.” The cooperative he joined purchased four electric vehicles, all now sitting idle in his yard. He kicked the deflated tires, calling these vehicles expensive “decorations.”
Additionally, due to the lack of maintenance services, and the absence of locally trained personnel in electric vehicle repair, locals have resorted to learning repairs from YouTube videos.
Desperate drivers have formed WhatsApp groups, sharing some impractical emergency solutions. Some suggested wrapping the batteries in blankets for warmth, only to find that the high temperature damaged the batteries; while others dragged a 90 kg power bank home overnight, and one driver even parked the vehicle in the living room.
Sajad remarked, “We’ve become mechanics, engineers, and fools all at once.”
The cooperatives in Kashmir have abandoned their plans to use electric vehicles for next year’s harvest. This is not unique to Kashmir but extends to other cold regions, as electric vehicles consistently face sustainability issues with batteries in low-temperature environments.
Ahmad has already made his choice for the next season – renting a diesel truck.
“Diesel is expensive,” he said, covering his dormant electric vehicle dream with a tarp, “but at least it works.”