Yes, air conditioning has a meaningful impact on EV range – more so than in a petrol car, because there is no ‘waste heat’ from the engine to assist climate control. The AC compressor draws directly from the traction battery, competing with the motor for the same energy source. In Indian summer conditions, where ambient temperatures regularly hit 38–44°C, the AC can reduce range by 15–25%.
On a hot day in Delhi or Chennai, a car rated at 400 km might effectively deliver closer to 300–340 km with continuous AC use. A few strategies help minimise the impact: pre-cooling the cabin while the vehicle is still plugged in (available on Tata, Hyundai, and other connected EVs) so you start your trip with a cool interior without drawing from the battery.
Parking in shade, using the recirculation mode rather than fresh air intake, and setting temperature to a moderate level rather than maximum cooling all make a measurable difference. In mild weather – Bengaluru’s evenings or coastal mornings – AC consumption drops significantly.
