How Do Electric-Car Batteries Fare in Las Vegas?

As a local driving a conventional gas-powered auto, I find that the car batteries do not last very long here in our weather. A year and a half, maybe two years tops. How do batteries in hybrid and all-electric cars fare in the Las Vegas climate?

We have plenty of experience with non-electric or hybrid automobiles in Las Vegas. And yes, summers here are tough on regular lead-acid batteries. Extremely high temperatures, combined with excess heat that develops in the engine bay, speeds up corrosion on battery terminals and cables. They also cause the battery fluid to evaporate, exposing internal battery grids to corrosion. Regular maintenance mitigates the damage to a certain extent, but no matter how diligent you are, the life cycle of car batteries here is much less than, say, in Reno.

As for hybrid or electric-car batteries, we don’t have any personal experience with them. Perhaps local owners of Priuses, LEAFs, e-Golfs, and Teslas can help us out here.

However, we can say that the efficiency and longevity of hybrid and electric batteries vary based on a number of factors, including driver habits and driving conditions, use of accessories such as air-conditioning and entertainment systems, hard and soft braking, overcharging/high voltage and deep discharges/low voltage, etc.

But from our research, it seems clear that the lithium-ion batteries in hybrids and all-electrics suffer from the same high temperatures as regular batteries do. Thus, they need more attention in the summer in Las Vegas and other hot locales than in cooler areas.

Still, most manufacturers are currently offering eight-year/100,000-mile warranties for their batteries and some give additional coverage on top of that.

Also, with Tesla’s lithium-ion gigafactory outside of Reno, the number of all-electric vehicles tripled recently, with hybrids increasing by 30% in southern Nevada. Which leads us to believe that, though high temperatures can and do impact all batteries, it’s the price Las Vegans know they have to pay in order to receive the many benefits of hybrids and electrics.

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Have a question that hasn't been answered? Email us with your suggestion.

Missed a Question of the Day?

Have a Question?

Tomorrow's Question

Has Clark County ever considered legalizing prostitution?

Comments

Reeko May-24-2019

Batteries

Possibly the most boring QOD ever. When you run out of entertaining questions let me know. I'll come up with a few.

O2bnVegas May-24-2019

what do you call entertaining?

Reeko, you are kidding, right?  I don't live in Las Vegas, seldom rent a car, but this is very informative regarding the effects of extreme weather on car batteries or electronics. I appreciate the research done to answer it.  

How "boring" is it to walk out of a hotel or casino or anywhere and find that your car won't start?

Frank Mabry May-24-2019

Not Boring

I moved here 1 year ago and I have a Ford Fusion plug-in hybrid. When it gets above 110 I haven't noticed a change in the battery only range. Someone told me that Tesla's will shut down when it gets 115-117 due to insufficient battery cooling. Kia doesn't sell the new battery only Niro EV in Nevada. The subject isn't boring to me.

Toad May-24-2019

Interesting

Are there any other things that tend to shutdown or break down more because of the heat in Vegas?

I have always felt bad for the people that work outside. I don't know how they do it.

Lucky May-24-2019

Pilot

Actually, its a good question for folks that drive into Vegas with hybrids or EV's.  The batteries do get warm normally, and they are designed to cool, usually by air flow.  Tesla's will not completely shut down, but they will lower the output limit when it gets too hot.  I am sure there is a shut down temp, but its higher than 117.  I have a couple friends that have Tesla's with big batteries, and going from Los Angeles, they stop in Barstow to swap batteries for a full charged set.  They have told me that on very hot days, going from Baker to the NV state line, that they were limited to 65mpg due to battery temp, which was very annoying.  Specially uphill.  On the last down hill coming into NV on the 15, the speed picked up, but gravity was doing the work.  So temperature does affect EV batteries.

Hoozdo May-24-2019

Tesla in Vegas

I live in Phoenix and visit Vegas quite frequently. I have had a Tesla Model S for three years. Teslas have optimal performance when the ambient temperature outside is over 70 degrees. I even had excellent performance when the temp is over 120 degrees.  

Teslas do not like cold temperatures. I have seen more than 60% reduction in battery longevity when the temp is in the 30s. 

Air conditioning does not effect battery performance or longevity at all. However, heating does.

Reno Faoro May-24-2019

yes,  a question for the masses

I agree with Reeko- the QOD are for a VERY SMALL GROUP LATELY. HMMM ??HOW old  is the carpeting at EXCALIBUR ? Is HOOTERS casino  profitable ? Is Mario  BATALI  still a 'force ' in VEGAS restaurants ? Where does the GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKHOUSE  on SAHARA get their HUMONGOUS IDAHO  POTATOES from ? Please don't say-the ground !!!!! Or area 51.How many HYBRIDS are rentable at the RENTAL CENTER ??   go FORDSON.

Flaxx May-24-2019

Heat

Good QOD. I have long wondered how the excessive heat in LV affects different aspects of people's day-to-day lives there. It may not be of relevance to visitors narrowly interested only in their own entertainment, but the rest of us appreciate having well-rounded advice on Las Vegas.

Brian May-24-2019

Nissan Leaf

Most of the mainstream electric cars have active battery cooling and the Vegas heat isn't much of an issue. The one you would need to worry about is the Nissan Leaf, especially the earlier model years.

You'll also notice an effect on quick charging times. The hotter it is the more likely it is the car will need to throttle back it's charging rate to keep the battery from overheating.

Reeko May-24-2019

Ok....

I get peoples concerns but when I think of Vegas, car batteries never come to mind.

Jackie May-24-2019

Reeko

Here's the deal.  People outside of Nevada have a very limited view of not only Vegas but of all the State.  A lot of the questions Deke answers are because he hopes to enlighten that view as these questions come from readers wanting to know more.  So sorry it doesn't please your appetite all the time but obviously it does MANY others.

Dan McGlasson May-24-2019

good diversity of QoDs!

I enjoy the diversity of QoDs.  Now, does every question have the same interest level to me - probably not, but I understand that everyone has different interests.  

I would suggest that we all remember this is a FREE service to us that costs LVA money to produce!  Back off and enjoy the ride!

William Gallagher May-24-2019

RETIRED

MY WIFE IS NINA I AM BILL. WE HAVE A 2018 HONDA CLARITY TOURING. THIS IS A HYBRID AND WE USE ELECTRIC ALL AROUND THE VALLEY. WE JUST PLUG IT IN AND WHEN WE GET BACK IN IT HAS OVER 50 MILES ON PURE BATTERY. THIS IS THE SECOND SUMMER OF OWNING IT AND WE GET NO EFFECT OF SUMMER HEAT ON BATTERY. BESIDES THE BATTERY HAS A VERY LONG WARRANTY. ONLY A 7 GALLON GAS TANK BUT WITH A FULL CHARGE AND FULL TANK THE CAR HAS A RANGE IN EXCESS OF 900 MILES WHEN OPERATING IN HOV (BOTH GAS AND ELECTRIC) BECAUSE THE BATTERY CHARGES WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN REACHES A CERTAIN ELECTRIC LEVEL IT SWITCHES TO ELECTRIC THEN BACK TO GAS WHEN BATTERY NEEDS RECHARGING. GOOD QUESTION FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN HYBRIDS AND THOSE WAITING FOR SELF DRIVING CARS.

Kevin Lewis May-24-2019

Not just batteries, the entire car

Batteries, whether in a hybrid or a conventional car, do not work well in extreme heat. Nor do any other components of a car. If you're in traffic--which seems to be the default setting in Vegas these days--your car will be straining to keep itself cool. Brake and tire performance both degrade in the 150+ degree temps on the road surface. The only good thing about driving in Vegas in the summer is that guy who is screaming at you won't want to get out of his air-conditioned car with his shotgun. Oh, and relatively few panhandlers.

Dave in Seattle. May-24-2019

Temperature.

Very hot or very cold affects ALL battery types.
Agm,FLA,lithium-Ion,gel cells.
Below 40*,their capacity is reduced.

Regular automotive
flooded lead-acid battery types require distilled water to be added-especially in hotter climates,but some are sealed.

I see a LOT of Tesla's in Las Vegas.Also, a lot of charging stations.

Brent Peterson May-24-2019

QOD

If you don't like the QOD, then don't read it! Take the extra time to explore other areas of the site. Good grief! The pettiness of some people is truly pathetic.

Reeko May-24-2019

Petty?

Brent,
I'm not being petty, just offering an opinion.
If you cannot accept opinions other than your own, then that's your problem.

Brent Peterson May-25-2019

Yep, Petty!

You can't stand that the writer of QOD has the opinion that some LVA readers might like information other what you, The Great Reeko, deems worthy! Apparently, you can't stand that I have the same opinion. It would be interesting the types of questions you'd answer after you've "come up with a few." QOD has been answering a question on a daily basis for decades. And doing a fantastic job of doing so!

Question of the Day - 24 May 2019

Comments