Batteries lose their power in the cold because at low temperatures, the electrochemical reaction inside the battery slows down. This reduces the battery's ability to provide energy efficiently.
When it’s cold, the chemical reactions inside your battery slow down, plain and simple. Why? Because the cold reduces the agitation of the molecules and makes the chemical exchanges slower and less efficient. The result: your battery struggles to deliver the same amount of energy in a short time. It seems tired! That’s why your phone or car has trouble starting when temperatures drop. Less reactive, the chemical substances no longer generate as much electric current, decreasing the available power of your battery.
When it’s cold, the conductive liquid (called electrolyte) present in batteries simply becomes thicker. Less fluid, more viscous, it slows down the flow of electrons. As a result, the battery encounters a stronger resistance within its own components, which is what we call internal resistance. It has to exert extra effort to deliver the same amount of energy. And this is exactly what makes your battery seem to lose a good part of its usual punch when it’s very cold: due to this higher resistance, a significant portion of the energy ends up lost as internal heat, rather than being available to power your device.
Low temperatures directly affect the mobility of lithium ions inside batteries. As the cold increases, these ions move more slowly in the electrolyte, the liquid that allows transfer between the electrodes. As a result, electrochemical reactions become slower, and the battery behaves as if it were "asleep." Another important impact: at low temperatures, some materials (notably liquid electrolytes) thicken or freeze slightly, making it even more difficult for the ions to circulate. These changes make the battery lazier, reduce its available capacity instantly, and ultimately decrease its overall range until it is brought back to a suitable temperature.
With the cold, the voltage of a lithium-ion battery naturally decreases. Why? Because the chemical reactions necessary for electricity production become slower. The less quickly the electrons move, the more the battery struggles to maintain a high and constant voltage, especially under heavy energy demand. As a result, the device receives a lower voltage, leading to a drop in power and sometimes even a premature shutdown while the battery is not fully discharged. As soon as the temperature rises, the battery gradually returns to its normal voltage level.
To prevent your batteries from struggling in winter, keep them at a moderate temperature as much as possible. If it's an electric car or a smartphone, keep them indoors or protect them with an insulating case. Also, make sure to charge them fully before facing the cold: a fully charged battery withstands temperature drops much better. Slightly warming the battery before use can also help: for example, gently starting a device or letting it acclimate a bit in your pocket. Finally, instead of using a cold battery at maximum capacity all at once, take it easy at the beginning; it will warm up a bit on its own and perform better afterwards.
Modern electric cars often feature a specific system that preheats the battery to limit performance losses due to cold, thereby improving their range in winter.
Temporarily storing a mobile phone or camera battery close to the body, such as in an inner pocket, can help maintain its temperature and significantly improve its performance in extreme cold.
Contrary to a common belief, cold temperatures do not usually cause permanent damage to batteries; performance typically returns to normal once the temperature rises again.
The military and polar expeditions often use special lithium batteries designed to be more efficient and resistant to very low temperatures, allowing for optimal performance down to about -40°C.
Sure! Here is the translation: "Yes, certain technologies such as lithium-ion batteries specifically designed for low temperatures or lithium-polymer batteries offer better performance in cold weather. Other devices, like heated or insulated packs, also help maintain the efficiency of conventional batteries when it is cold."
Absolutely. Slightly raising the temperature of a battery before use (through appropriate heating devices or simply by placing the battery in a warmer environment) helps optimize its chemical reactivity and thus its overall performance when it is in use.
Cold temperatures slow down the chemical reactions in the smartphone battery, thereby increasing its internal resistance. These combined effects reduce its effective capacity to provide the necessary energy to maintain good battery life, resulting in a faster drop in the displayed battery percentage.
It is not recommended to store batteries outside in very cold temperatures. Ideally, it is better to keep them in a dry place where the temperature remains moderate (between 10°C and 25°C). Prolonged storage at negative temperatures can affect their longevity and future performance.
In general, cold does not cause permanent damage to batteries. It primarily reduces their capacity to deliver energy efficiently in the immediate term. However, extreme and repeated conditions can lead to accelerated deterioration of internal components, thereby reducing their lifespan.
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