"Wondering if there's a good rule of thumb for estimating range loss in colder temps."
Yeah, cold weather definitely hits EV range harder than you'd expect. I've noticed around 20-30% less range when temps drop below freezing, especially if you're running the heater full blast. Preheating while plugged in helps a bit, and keeping your battery charged above 50% can ease anxiety. But honestly, best bet is to factor in a solid buffer during winter months—better safe than sorry...
Honestly, losing 30% range in cold weather sounds pretty rough...makes me glad I'm still rolling with my old gas guzzler, haha. But seriously, back when I drove a hybrid for a while, cold mornings really did a number on the battery. Preheating helped some, but I'd always leave myself extra wiggle room—running out of juice in freezing temps is no joke. Better safe than freezing your butt off waiting for roadside assistance.
Haha, reminds me of the time my old Mustang left me stranded mid-winter... carburetor iced up solid. Sat shivering waiting for a buddy with jumper cables. Gas or electric, cold weather just loves messing with us drivers...
Haha, your Mustang story makes me feel a bit better about my last driving lesson. Instructor had me practicing in an EV, and halfway through, the battery decided it didn't like the cold either... we ended up parked awkwardly on a side street waiting for roadside assistance. At least I got extra practice with hazard lights and awkward small talk. Gas or electric, seems like winter just enjoys giving us all a hard time.
Had a similar experience last winter—my instructor insisted EVs were "winter-ready," but we ended up stuck outside a coffee shop for an hour. Learned the hard way to always check battery range and keep blankets handy... just in case.