Comment by nsksl

2 days ago

Wait, low temperatures drain your battery? I would’ve expected the opposite.

I wouldn’t expect it to happen due to an AC unit, but yes, if you go out in -15°C or lower, absolutely do keep your phone in a pocket inside your coat or it’ll die very quickly (half an hour max). You might get some charge once you warm it back up, but then again you might not.

IIRC it is the efficiency of the chemical process in the battery that is affected by cold temperatures. Different chemistries are affected differently.

This is a part of the reason why EVs will actually spend energy to warm up their battery packs in the cold, spending the energy to warm it up early will lead to better efficiency for the rest of the drive. Another reason why it's better to condition the car plugged in before starting a trip in the cold; the battery is already in its optimal temperature range.