The Vancouver Sun reports in its Saturday edition that subzero temperatures sap the battery range of electric vehicles, but North Vancouver Tesla Model S owner Bruce Stout reckons it is not much different from the loss of efficiency in any car. The Sun's Derrick Penner quotes Mr. Stout saying, "If you're driving 100 kilometres in a gasoline-powered car, you'll never notice it, because you really have no idea that you're burning more energy." An EV display, however, makes it more apparent to drivers that they are getting 75 per cent of normal range in the cold. Last week's cold snap saw Vancouver temperatures dropped to minus-14 C. News reports from U.S. Midwest locations such as Chicago recounted the chaos of EV owners with rapidly depleting batteries and confrontations among drivers in long lines at scarce rapid chargers. While driving, Mr. Stout said that EVs like his Tesla have an internal preconditioning function that will use some battery energy to keep it warm when he programs in that he is heading to a charging station. "But once the battery is below 20 per cent, it will have a tough time staying warm," Mr. Stout said. "If you have the ability to plug your car in at home, this is not a problem."