As electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain mainstream adoption, discussions around range, battery capacity, charging infrastructure, and performance have taken center stage. However, one crucial aspect that often goes underappreciated—until winter arrives—is the performance of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system.
Unlike internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which generate ample waste heat that can be repurposed to warm the cabin, EVs do not produce heat as a byproduct of combustion. This creates a unique engineering challenge: how do you efficiently heat the interior of a vehicle powered solely by electricity? The answer lies in the type of heating system used—either energy-efficient heat pumps or power-hungry resistive heaters.
Heating and cooling directly impact the overall efficiency and practicality of electric vehicles, particularly in cold climates. Studies and real-world experience have shown that HVAC systems can reduce an EV’s driving range by as much as 30–50% in freezing temperatures.
This isn’t just a minor inconvenience; for many EV owners, especially those in colder regions, HVAC performance can be a determining factor in whether a vehicle is practical for daily use. It’s not enough for an EV to boast a high EPA-rated range under ideal conditions.
That figure must also hold up when the cabin needs to be preheated on a frosty morning, the battery must be thermally managed for optimal performance, and passengers require consistent comfort throughout the journey.
Modern EV manufacturers have responded to this challenge in different ways. Some have embraced integrated heat pump systems—an efficient technology borrowed from residential HVAC units, which transfer heat rather than generate it. This results in significantly lower energy consumption, faster cabin warm-up, and better range retention in cold weather.
Vehicles like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and BMW i4 exemplify how a well-integrated heat pump can transform winter driving, offering both comfort and efficiency without compromising range.
On the other hand, many early EVs—or even some budget-friendly modern ones—continue to rely on resistive heating systems. These systems function much like electric space heaters: they pass electricity through a heating element, which warms the air blown into the cabin.
While effective at producing heat, these systems are extremely inefficient in an EV context because they draw power directly from the battery without leveraging any environmental or system-based efficiencies. In models like the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Nissan Leaf, or Volkswagen e-Golf, this can translate into a dramatic reduction in usable range during cold months. Drivers often find themselves choosing between staying warm and preserving enough charge to reach their destination.
This article is divided into two parts: first, we explore five EVs equipped with the most efficient and well-designed heat pump HVAC systems, highlighting how each model approaches thermal management, comfort, and winter performance. These vehicles set the standard for energy-smart heating and provide insights into what consumers should look for when choosing an EV for year-round use.
In the second part, we examine five EVs that suffer from energy-hungry heating systems, delving into how resistive heaters impact range, battery health, and day-to-day usability. These examples serve as cautionary tales, reminding us that an EV’s advertised specs only tell part of the story—and that HVAC design can make or break the real-world experience.
As the industry shifts toward longer-range vehicles and colder-climate EV adoption continues to rise, understanding how heating systems impact EV efficiency is more important than ever. Whether you’re a prospective buyer, an EV enthusiast, or simply someone curious about automotive technology, this deep dive into heat pump vs. resistive heating will equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate one of the most overlooked yet vital aspects of EV ownership.
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5 EVs with the Best Heat Pump HVAC Systems

1. Tesla Model Y (2021 and Beyond)
Tesla’s Model Y marked a turning point in how the company approached climate control in electric vehicles. Before its release, Tesla vehicles—such as the Model S and early Model 3s—relied entirely on resistive heating elements, which were notoriously power-hungry and inefficient, especially in colder climates.
When Tesla introduced the heat pump system in the Model Y in 2021, it wasn’t just adding a heat pump; it introduced a reengineered thermal management system that integrated multiple heating and cooling pathways through a system dubbed the “Octovalve.” This advanced component is capable of routing thermal energy intelligently between the battery, cabin, and drivetrain, depending on where it is most needed, reducing energy waste and increasing driving efficiency.
The Model Y’s heat pump leverages ambient air and recycled heat from the battery pack and motors to maintain cabin temperature. This is especially important for EVs because, unlike internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, EVs don’t naturally generate surplus heat during operation. Instead of creating new heat using electricity (like a toaster), the heat pump moves existing heat into the cabin, making the process far more energy-efficient.
In cold weather, this can mean the difference between a 30% range loss and a much more manageable 10–15% drop, depending on conditions. Real-world testing in climates like Canada and Scandinavia has shown that the Model Y performs admirably, maintaining more consistent range even in sub-freezing temperatures.
Beyond the hardware, Tesla’s software contributes significantly to the heat pump’s effectiveness. The Model Y automatically preconditions the battery and cabin before a drive when scheduled departure times are set, ensuring the system operates at optimal efficiency.
Tesla’s over-the-air updates have continued to improve thermal management logic, showing a clear commitment to refining its systems post-purchase. Moreover, the car allows drivers to enable eco-climate modes and selectively heat individual areas like the steering wheel or seats, reducing unnecessary energy use when only partial heating is needed.
Another notable benefit of the Tesla heat pump system is the impact it has on charging performance in winter. Cold batteries charge more slowly, but the Model Y’s heat pump system is tied into the Supercharging preconditioning process.
As a result, when navigating to a Supercharger, the system warms the battery proactively to ensure maximum charge speed, reducing time spent at the charger. In this way, the Model Y’s heat pump doesn’t just improve comfort—it improves the total EV experience, from daily commuting to long-distance road trips.

2. Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 isn’t just one of the most visually striking EVs on the market—it also stands as a showcase for Hyundai’s deep investment in energy efficiency and real-world usability. Built on the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the Ioniq 5 benefits from a next-generation architecture that prioritizes performance, space, and crucially, thermal management.
One of its standout features is a highly effective heat pump HVAC system that works even in relatively extreme cold, helping to preserve the car’s driving range while keeping passengers comfortable.
The heat pump in the Ioniq 5 is integrated with a multi-source thermal management strategy. It extracts heat not just from ambient air but also from waste heat generated by the electric motor and battery in operation. This allows the HVAC system to operate efficiently even when external temperatures drop below freezing.
Furthermore, the system includes a desiccant-enhanced vapor injection cycle, which improves heating performance and energy savings in low humidity conditions—a factor that becomes more important the colder it gets. Hyundai’s thermal engineering teams have also implemented advanced sealing and insulation across the cabin to ensure that generated heat doesn’t escape easily, reducing the HVAC workload.
In practice, this translates to excellent cold-weather performance. In real-world winter driving tests in Northern Europe and Canada, the Ioniq 5 has maintained up to 85% of its rated range, a figure significantly higher than what’s observed in vehicles using resistive heaters.
The car’s user interface allows drivers to access “Driver Only” climate mode, a feature that heats just the driver’s area to conserve energy when there are no other passengers onboard. Additionally, all trims come with heated seats and a heated steering wheel, allowing occupants to stay warm through direct contact heat, which consumes less energy than warming the entire cabin volume.
The Ioniq 5’s heat pump is also smartly integrated with its battery management system. During winter DC fast charging sessions, the vehicle uses its heat pump to condition the battery for optimal charging efficiency.
The ability to precondition the vehicle remotely through the Bluelink app further extends the usefulness of the HVAC system. Owners can warm the cabin while the car is plugged in, drawing power from the grid instead of the battery. All these features make the Ioniq 5 one of the most practical and winter-ready EVs in its class.

3. Kia EV6
Built on the same E-GMP platform as the Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 inherits many of its sibling’s strengths—but it also carves out its own identity when it comes to engineering, design, and thermal efficiency. The EV6 features a heat pump HVAC system that is robust, intelligently designed, and well-integrated with the rest of the vehicle’s energy management infrastructure.
This makes the EV6 not only a powerful and stylish crossover but also a compelling choice for cold-weather drivers looking to maximize range without sacrificing comfort.
The EV6’s heat pump operates using a high-efficiency compressor and refrigerant system that extracts and compresses heat from the external environment, even when the temperature drops significantly. One of the key differences in Kia’s approach is the precision with which the system measures and manages heat distribution.
It uses multiple sensors to evaluate cabin temperature, humidity, and occupancy, tailoring HVAC output in real time. In cold conditions, this means that the car doesn’t waste energy heating unoccupied sections of the cabin. The system also draws waste heat from the powertrain and inverters, further boosting efficiency by repurposing thermal energy that would otherwise be lost.
The car also comes with excellent direct-contact heating options. Heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and zone-based HVAC controls give the driver the flexibility to minimize energy usage when driving alone or on short trips. There’s also a cabin preconditioning feature available through Kia’s UVO Connect app, allowing the cabin to be warmed while the vehicle is plugged in. This feature is especially useful on frosty mornings, ensuring the car is warm and defrosted without tapping into driving range.
One area where the EV6 excels is in user experience. The HVAC controls are intuitive, and the system offers clear feedback on energy consumption, helping drivers make informed decisions. During extended cold-weather use, drivers report far less range anxiety than with EVs lacking heat pump technology. Kia’s engineering decisions in the EV6 show that heat pumps aren’t just a luxury or an optional add-on—they’re a critical component of a modern, efficient electric vehicle.

4. Nissan Ariya
After more than a decade with the Nissan Leaf, the Japanese automaker finally entered the modern EV arena with the launch of the Ariya—and it did so with a solid heat pump HVAC system. Unlike the Leaf, which relied mostly on traditional resistive heating (with an optional heat pump in later models), the Ariya comes equipped with a highly capable heat pump system as standard or widely available across trims. This marks a major improvement in how Nissan designs for year-round practicality and efficiency.
The Ariya’s heat pump uses an advanced refrigerant cycle that works efficiently even in moderately cold climates. While it may not match the raw thermal flexibility of some luxury EVs, it provides substantial energy savings compared to resistive systems.
Nissan has focused on smart thermal integration, using waste heat from the electric motors and battery to supplement the heat pump’s performance. Additionally, the vehicle’s HVAC controls are responsive and feature various eco modes that allow for reduced power consumption during less severe conditions.
User experience in the Ariya is also geared toward intelligent comfort. The vehicle offers a fully programmable climate control system with preconditioning via the NissanConnect app. This lets users remotely warm the cabin while still connected to a charger—ideal for preventing battery drain.
Inside the vehicle, climate zones, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel allow for personalized comfort without heating unnecessary areas of the vehicle. The Ariya’s cabin materials also help in heat retention, with high-quality insulation reducing thermal loss.
In tests conducted in colder U.S. states and parts of Northern Europe, the Ariya has demonstrated above-average winter performance. Unlike the Leaf, which often struggled with range drops of up to 40% in freezing temperatures, the Ariya has kept range loss closer to the 15–20% mark, thanks largely to its efficient heat pump and smarter thermal control. For buyers familiar with Nissan’s legacy EVs, the Ariya represents a leap forward—not only in driving performance and technology but in cold-weather usability.

5. BMW iX
At the high end of the EV spectrum, the BMW iX demonstrates what’s possible when premium engineering meets advanced thermal management. As BMW’s flagship electric SUV, the iX is equipped with a heat pump HVAC system that is more complex and capable than most.
Designed not only for comfort but also for sustained efficiency in extreme conditions, the iX’s thermal system is built around a multi-stage heat management network that includes a high-output heat pump, predictive controls, and detailed cabin zoning.
The iX heat pump system is capable of drawing heat from a wider range of external temperatures and internal components than many of its rivals. It pulls ambient heat, waste heat from drivetrain components, and even latent heat stored in refrigerant reservoirs.
It can dynamically redirect heat between the cabin, battery, and electric motors, ensuring optimal operation across all systems. BMW has also included a proprietary thermal energy storage module, which can store excess heat for later use, increasing overall efficiency in cyclical heating scenarios.
Inside the cabin, the iX doesn’t just offer warmth—it offers a tailored heating experience. The vehicle comes with radiant panel heating, seat heating, steering wheel heating, and individually zoned HVAC options that allow each occupant to control their comfort.
Importantly, these systems are designed to minimize energy draw from the battery, enabling the car to maintain more of its driving range even when outside conditions are brutal. BMW’s climate preconditioning can be scheduled or initiated remotely, and when charging, all cabin heating is done from shore power.
Winter performance is where the iX truly shines. Even in climates that experience consistent sub-zero temperatures, the iX’s HVAC system keeps cabin comfort high without crippling efficiency. Drivers in places like Scandinavia, Canada, and the northern U.S. have reported winter range retention figures that place the iX among the top-performing electric SUVs. BMW’s investment in efficient thermal management isn’t just about luxury—it’s about making electric driving viable all year long.
5 EVs with Energy-Hungry Heaters

1. Chevrolet Bolt EV (2017–2022)
The Chevrolet Bolt EV, while praised for its affordability and surprising range for the price point, has long struggled with HVAC inefficiency in colder climates. This is largely due to its reliance on a purely resistive heating system.
Unlike a heat pump, which moves ambient heat using compression and expansion cycles, a resistive heater generates warmth by passing electricity through coils, essentially functioning like an electric space heater. While simple and effective for producing heat, this method is extremely inefficient in an EV context because it draws a substantial amount of power directly from the battery.
In practice, Bolt EV owners in cold-weather states and Canadian provinces often report significant range drops during the winter months. It’s not uncommon to see a 30–40% reduction in range when outside temperatures dip below freezing, especially when combined with snow-resistant tires and increased auxiliary loads (defrosters, headlights, heated mirrors).
One of the main culprits is the HVAC system, which is forced to work overtime to warm the cabin from scratch without the benefit of scavenged heat from a combustion engine or a thermally integrated system. GM has made minor improvements over model years, but the lack of a heat pump remains a major gap in the Bolt’s design.
Another issue tied to the resistive heater in the Bolt is its slow and blunt heat delivery. The system can take longer than a heat pump to bring the cabin up to temperature, especially when the ambient temperature is far below freezing.
Drivers often must choose between comfort and conserving range—a tradeoff that underscores the limitations of the resistive system. While GM includes standard heated seats and a heated steering wheel to mitigate the need for full-cabin heating, this still doesn’t address the underlying inefficiency of the core HVAC design.
The impact of this inefficient system extends beyond driving. Cold-weather charging is also affected, as the battery preconditioning process lacks the efficiency and speed of heat pump-equipped rivals. Without a sophisticated thermal loop, warming the battery before a fast charge takes longer and consumes more energy, reducing charging speeds and convenience. The Bolt’s otherwise compelling value proposition loses some luster in winter, where its heater becomes a silent drain on both performance and practicality.

2. Nissan Leaf (First and Second Generation)
The Nissan Leaf—particularly models built between 2011 and 2019—has earned a reputation as one of the most widely adopted electric vehicles globally. However, its early and even mid-generation HVAC design left much to be desired in terms of energy efficiency.
The original models featured a purely resistive heater with no heat pump option available, and even though a heat pump was offered in higher trims beginning around 2013 in some regions, it was not standard, and many Leafs on the road today still rely solely on resistive systems. This has a pronounced effect on the car’s wintertime range.
In cold conditions, the Leaf’s resistive heater becomes one of the largest drains on the battery. Without a heat pump to capture and redistribute waste heat, the system must create thermal energy from scratch using electricity alone. This can result in range losses as high as 40–50% in the most frigid climates.
Unlike some newer EVs, the Leaf doesn’t have robust battery thermal management either, which means that not only does the cabin require a large energy draw, but the battery pack itself may remain cold, further reducing efficiency and limiting charging speeds.
Compounding the problem is the fact that early Leaf models often lacked auxiliary heating features like heated rear seats or a heat-isolated driver’s zone, meaning drivers had to warm the entire cabin or endure a chilly ride. While newer Leafs introduced features like heated seats and a steering wheel to reduce reliance on the full HVAC system, these are band-aids for what remains a fundamentally inefficient climate solution in extreme conditions.
Even when the available heat pump system was introduced in higher trims, its performance was limited in very cold temperatures (typically under -10°C or 14°F), defaulting back to the resistive heater when the ambient air offered insufficient thermal input.
Nissan’s lack of comprehensive battery thermal management only worsens the HVAC system’s inefficiencies. Because the battery pack is passively cooled and lacks an active thermal regulation loop, the car struggles to heat the battery quickly for optimal performance and charging.
In winter, this results in extended charge times and further reduced range. The Leaf’s heater system, while acceptable for temperate climates, simply wasn’t designed with the rigors of cold-weather EV life in mind, making it a less-than-ideal choice for those in northern regions.

3. Volkswagen e-Golf
Volkswagen’s e-Golf was a clever, short-lived attempt to electrify the widely popular Golf platform without a ground-up EV redesign. While it succeeded in maintaining the Golf’s charm, driving dynamics, and practicality, the HVAC system was one of its weak spots, especially in cold weather.
Like many early EVs, the e-Golf primarily relied on a resistive heater. Though some later models introduced a heat pump option, it was not included in many base or mid-level trims, leaving a significant number of drivers with an inefficient climate system.
Owners in colder regions consistently noted that engaging the heater significantly reduced the already modest real-world range of the e-Golf. Because the car lacked a comprehensive thermal management strategy that linked the HVAC system to the battery and drivetrain, it had to work harder to warm the cabin without leveraging waste heat.
Furthermore, the battery in the e-Golf was passively cooled and not actively heated, which meant the vehicle struggled to maintain battery temperature in freezing weather—this reduced both performance and charging efficiency.
The e-Golf’s resistive heating system also created comfort issues. Cabin warm-up time was longer than average in cold conditions, and the heat distribution wasn’t as robust or targeted as modern EVs with zoned systems or radiant panel options.
This made winter driving less comfortable and more draining on the limited battery capacity. Despite having options like heated front seats, these features were insufficient to offset the energy costs of running the primary cabin heater in sub-zero weather.
In addition to poor range retention, charging in winter was often sluggish. Without preconditioning support or active battery warming, DC fast charging was noticeably delayed until the battery reached a safe operating temperature. This resulted in longer stops and reduced charging speed in real-world conditions.
While the e-Golf made strides in affordability and daily usability, its HVAC limitations made it less suited for year-round use in regions with harsh winters, especially compared to newer EVs with integrated heat pump systems.

4. Fiat 500e (2013–2019)
The Fiat 500e was one of the earliest entries in the compact electric vehicle space, largely offered as a compliance car in the United States and select European markets. Its design was charming and quirky, and its city-friendly dimensions made it appealing for short urban commutes. However, it suffered greatly in colder climates, mainly due to its reliance on a small, underpowered resistive heating system. With no heat pump option and minimal thermal integration, the 500e’s HVAC system proved to be a major energy drain.
In cold conditions, the car’s 24 kWh battery struggled to support both propulsion and cabin heating. With the resistive heater drawing substantial current, users frequently saw winter ranges dip well below 60 miles per charge, even less than half of what was achievable in milder weather.
The heater’s performance itself was also inconsistent. Cabin warm-up was slow, and without effective airflow controls or zoned heating, the interior often felt unevenly heated. The small physical size of the car helped to a degree, but it couldn’t compensate for the inefficiencies baked into the system.
Comfort was not the only casualty. Performance was also affected, as the vehicle would sometimes throttle back power availability when battery temperatures dropped too low. The car had a very basic thermal management strategy for its battery pack, mostly relying on ambient temperature and minimal insulation.
As a result, owners in colder climates found it challenging to maintain range and performance unless they pre-warmed the car while still plugged in, which wasn’t always practical.
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect for owners was the lack of flexibility. The Fiat 500e lacked remote preconditioning options in its early years, and even later implementations of connected features were rudimentary. With such a small battery and inefficient heater, winter driving in the 500e became a constant battle between staying warm and reaching your destination. While charming and practical in sunny cities, the 500e was ill-suited to regions that experience real winters.

5. Honda Clarity Electric
The Honda Clarity Electric was a short-lived, California-focused EV that struggled to find a broad market for several reasons, one of which was its disappointing HVAC performance. Unlike the plug-in hybrid version, which benefited from a gasoline-powered auxiliary heater in cold conditions, the fully electric Clarity relied solely on a resistive heater for cabin warmth. With a relatively small 25.5 kWh usable battery, this proved to be a significant burden in colder weather, leading to steep range reductions.
Honda designed the Clarity Electric with efficiency in mind, but its HVAC strategy didn’t match the sophistication of its competitors. The heater was strong enough to maintain warmth in the cabin, but it consumed a disproportionate amount of battery power to do so.
This made it difficult for the car to deliver a consistent range in colder months. Real-world driving reports suggest that range could drop from an EPA-rated 89 miles to as low as 55 miles in freezing temperatures—a dramatic and frustrating dip, especially considering the vehicle’s already limited range.
Moreover, the Clarity Electric lacked many of the auxiliary comfort features that might have mitigated HVAC inefficiency. While it did include heated front seats, there were no options for zoned climate control, radiant panels, or smart preconditioning features through a connected app.
This meant users had few options other than running the full cabin heater, which accelerated range loss even on short trips. The HVAC controls themselves also lacked intuitive eco-modes or energy readouts, which made it difficult for drivers to adjust their usage in real time.
Charging performance in the Clarity Electric also suffered in winter, as the vehicle lacked any active thermal management for its battery. Without a heat pump or an integrated thermal circuit that connected cabin and battery heating, the car took longer to warm up and charge efficiently.
For users in moderate to colder climates, this translated into sluggish charging and frequent range anxiety. Ultimately, the Clarity Electric’s underwhelming heater system contributed to its limited appeal and early discontinuation, highlighting the importance of holistic thermal design in EVs.
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Heat Pumps, Range Anxiety, and the Future of Cold-Weather EV Comfort
The electric vehicle market has entered a pivotal era where efficiency is no longer measured by battery capacity alone but by how intelligently energy is used throughout the system. HVAC performance, particularly in cold climates, has emerged as a key differentiator between EV models. As we’ve seen across the spectrum of today’s electric vehicles, the presence or absence of a heat pump HVAC system can significantly affect driving range, comfort, and overall satisfaction with the vehicle.
Heat pumps represent a forward-thinking solution to the age-old problem of in-cabin heating. By transferring heat instead of generating it outright, these systems minimize energy draw from the battery and extend winter range, sometimes by as much as 30%.
Vehicles like the Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5 prove that when an EV is designed with a comprehensive thermal management strategy, winter driving becomes far less intimidating. Their heat pumps not only warm the cabin more efficiently but also maintain optimal battery temperature, enabling faster charging, better performance, and longer component life. These vehicles are redefining what cold-weather readiness means in the EV space.
Equally important is the integration of these heat pump systems into the broader vehicle architecture. The best-performing HVAC systems are those that work hand-in-hand with battery thermal management, cabin zoning, and preconditioning features. They allow drivers to remotely warm up their cabin and battery while still plugged in, minimizing range loss during actual driving.
Manufacturers like BMW and Kia are taking this one step further with intelligent software controls that adjust HVAC behavior based on ambient conditions, driving patterns, and energy reserves. These advancements reflect a maturing industry that understands how real-world usage deviates from lab testing and EPA projections.
On the flip side, EVs still relying on basic resistive heaters suffer disproportionately in winter. The Chevrolet Bolt EV, Nissan Leaf, and Fiat 500e illustrate how poorly optimized HVAC systems can erase large chunks of usable range. Without heat pumps or active battery warmers, these vehicles struggle not only with cabin comfort but also with energy efficiency and charge speed.
In colder climates, their range can plummet to levels that make them impractical for anything beyond short commutes. And in areas without robust charging infrastructure, the added unpredictability of range loss can lead to genuine range anxiety.
What’s more, resistive heating systems tend to exacerbate wear on the battery, especially when paired with minimal or non-existent thermal regulation. This compromises not only performance but long-term battery health.
Cold batteries charge more slowly, wear faster, and deliver less power, meaning owners must contend with more than just a chilly cabin. These cumulative drawbacks highlight how crucial it is for future EV development to prioritize intelligent HVAC design from the outset.
Looking forward, it’s likely that heat pumps will become standard in most EVs, much like air conditioning did in traditional cars. As battery technology improves and economies of scale bring down the cost of advanced thermal systems, automakers will have fewer excuses to cut corners. Governments and regulators may even begin to require better cold-weather efficiency metrics in official range ratings. In the meantime, buyers must do their homework and consider climate-specific needs when choosing their next EV.
In conclusion, while the shift to electric mobility brings numerous environmental and performance benefits, it also introduces new challenges that must be addressed with smart engineering. HVAC systems may seem like a minor detail, but as this article has shown, they play a major role in determining an EV’s real-world range, comfort, and usability, especially when temperatures drop.
As consumers, we should demand more than just impressive range figures. We should ask how this car keeps me warm without stranding me? More than any spec sheet number, that question may determine the best EV for your driveway.