Everyone knows that in cold winter conditions, the chemical reactions inside a battery slow down, and the electrolyte’s performance changes. This affects the battery’s discharge and energy storage capacity. But why do lithium batteries lose performance in winter, and how can we keep lithium batteries working efficiently in cold weather?
Why Are Lithium Batteries Affected by Cold Temperatures?
The performance of lithium-ion batteries drops significantly in low temperatures because cold weather slows down the electrochemical reaction rate and hinders lithium-ion movement. When the temperature falls below 15°C, the electrolyte viscosity increases dramatically.
This change occurs because lithium-ion conductivity in the electrolyte decreases — cold temperatures slow molecular motion, reducing the electrolyte’s conductivity to only a fraction of what it is at room temperature. As a result, the internal resistance of the battery increases significantly — at -20°C, it can be more than three times higher than normal.
Currently, the most effective and direct solution is to keep your batteries warm — whether it’s a smartphone in your pocket or an electric vehicle (EV) in your garage.
Common Lithium Battery Problems in Cold Weather
During winter, EV driving range can drop by up to 55%, and smartphones may shut down suddenly even when showing 30% charge. These problems are rooted in lithium-ion batteries’ natural sensitivity to temperature.
EV Range Reduction
For every 10°C drop in temperature, a lithium battery’s capacity may decrease by 10–20%. The thicker electrolyte at low temperatures blocks ion transport — like adding roadblocks on a highway — slowing down lithium-ion migration and reducing available energy.
Longer Charging Time
Cold temperatures also make charging slower. At 0°C, lithium-ion migration speed drops to one-fifth of its normal rate, and SEI (Solid Electrolyte Interface) resistance triples, forcing the battery management system (BMS) to limit charging current.
Even worse, you may experience “incomplete charging” — when your device shows 100% but the actual usable capacity is only 80%. This happens because some lithium ions cannot embed into the anode structure at low temperatures.
Devices Shutting Down or Failing to Start
A smartphone or EV suddenly shutting down at -10°C to -20°C is a form of battery self-protection. When high-power functions (like cameras or heaters) are used, voltage can drop sharply to the cutoff limit.
At -20°C, phones may shut down automatically. At -10°C, while they may stay on, the power drains 1.7 times faster than at 20°C. EVs, due to larger battery packs and greater thermal capacity, can operate longer, but shutdown typically occurs below -25°C, and the displayed battery level may still be inaccurate.
Once moved to a warmer environment, the battery can often recover 30–50% of its apparent capacity. For EV users, the “20% rule” is recommended: recharge when the battery level drops below 20% to avoid sudden voltage drops that could leave you stranded.
Damage from Improper Charging
Charging a lithium battery below 0°C is the most dangerous mistake. It can lead to metallic lithium plating, forming needle-like structures (dendrites) that pierce the separator, causing internal short circuits or even fire and explosion.
Different devices offer varying levels of cold protection. EVs usually have a battery pre-heating system to raise the temperature above 0°C before charging. However, e-bikes and smartphones lack such systems due to cost, making manual temperature control essential.
Key Tips for Using Lithium Batteries Correctly in Winter
Protecting lithium batteries in winter requires a three-dimensional strategy: temperature control, proper charging and discharging, and smart storage. With proper handling, the negative effects of cold can be reduced by over 50%. In fact, protected lithium batteries can last up to 2.3 times longer in -10°C environments compared to unprotected ones.
Maintain an Optimal Temperature
The electrochemical activity of lithium batteries peaks between 15°C and 25°C. Try to keep your devices within this temperature range.
For electric vehicles, the BMS can preheat the battery. Scheduling the preheat 15 minutes before departure can raise the temperature from -10°C to 10°C, improving the initial driving range by up to 23%. For smartphones and wearables, keeping them close to your body helps retain warmth — tests show that a phone kept in a pocket lasts 1.5 hours longer in -5°C conditions than one exposed to the cold.
Avoid Charging in Low Temperatures
Do not charge lithium batteries when the temperature is below 0°C. If charging is necessary, allow the battery or device to return to room temperature first. Using a smart charger with low-temperature protection is safer.
The safest method is to warm up the battery before charging. For example, an EV coming from -20°C should rest in a 25°C garage for at least two hours until the core temperature reaches 5°C before charging. For small devices like smartphones, running a low-power app (e.g., music playback) can gradually raise the temperature — but avoid high-load apps that may cause local overheating.
Reduce High-Power Discharge
Since internal resistance increases in the cold, high-current discharge becomes riskier. Avoid using power-intensive features (e.g., gaming, camera flash, or high-speed acceleration in EVs) in very low temperatures to prevent sudden voltage drops and shutdowns.
Store Batteries with Partial Charge
Cold weather accelerates self-discharge. At -20°C, the monthly self-discharge rate of lithium batteries can reach 12% — three times higher than at 25°C. Storing batteries at half charge (40–60%) helps maintain electrode stability.
If you won’t be using a battery for a long time, store it at 10°C–25°C in a dry environment with 40–60% charge. Never store a fully depleted battery in extremely cold conditions or for prolonged periods.
Key Tips for Using Lithium Batteries Correctly in Winter
Protecting lithium batteries in winter requires a three-dimensional strategy: temperature control, proper charging and discharging, and smart storage. With proper handling, the negative effects of cold can be reduced by over 50%. In fact, protected lithium batteries can last up to 2.3 times longer in environments with temperatures as low as -10°C compared to unprotected ones.
Maintain an Optimal Temperature
The electrochemical activity of lithium batteries peaks between 15°C and 25°C. Try to keep your devices within this temperature range.
For electric vehicles, the BMS can preheat the battery. Scheduling the preheat 15 minutes before departure can raise the temperature from -10°C to 10°C, improving the initial driving range by up to 23%. For smartphones and wearables, keeping them close to your body helps retain warmth — tests show that a phone kept in a pocket lasts 1.5 hours longer in -5°C conditions than one exposed to the cold.
Avoid Charging in Low Temperatures
Do not charge lithium batteries when the temperature is below 0°C. If charging is necessary, allow the battery or device to return to room temperature first. Using a smart charger with low-temperature protection is safer.
The safest method is to warm up the battery before charging. For example, an EV coming from -20°C should rest in a 25°C garage for at least two hours until the core temperature reaches 5°C before charging. For small devices like smartphones, running a low-power app (e.g., music playback) can gradually raise the temperature — but avoid high-load apps that may cause local overheating.
Reduce High-Power Discharge
Since internal resistance increases in the cold, high-current discharge becomes riskier. Avoid using power-intensive features (e.g., gaming, camera flash, or high-speed acceleration in EVs) in very low temperatures to prevent sudden voltage drops and shutdowns.
Store Batteries with Partial Charge
Cold weather accelerates self-discharge. At -20°C, the monthly self-discharge rate of lithium batteries can reach 12% — three times higher than at 25°C. Storing batteries at half charge (40–60%) helps maintain electrode stability.
If you won’t be using a battery for a long time, store it at 10°C–25°C in a dry environment with 40–60% charge. Never store a fully depleted battery in extremely cold conditions or for prolonged periods.
By understanding how lithium-ion batteries behave in cold weather and following these winter battery care tips, you can extend battery life, maintain reliable performance, and reduce risks like voltage drop or permanent capacity loss — whether it’s your EV, smartphone, drone, or power tool.
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