GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) -Electric vehicle owners face significant range reductions in extreme temperatures, with cold weather cutting driving distance by nearly 40 percent, according to a new study by AAA.

The organization examined both pure electric vehicles and hybrids to determine how temperature impacts battery efficiency.

AAA officials said the information is especially important for Colorado drivers.

“Uniquely for Coloradans, it really matters because we are a state with big temperature swings,” said Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs for AAA. “A vehicle in either direction might be dealing with 20 degree temperatures or 95 degree temperatures. And some months it can be both, which is crazy to think about. And that’s why knowing how your vehicle operates really matters.”

Cold weather impact

At 20 degrees, compared to moderate temperatures of 75 degrees:

• EVs show a 35.6 percent drop in efficiency and a 39 percent decrease in driving range
• Hybrids lose 22.8 percent in fuel economy

Hot weather impact

When temperatures reach 95 degrees:

• EVs experience a 10.4 percent reduction in efficiency and an 8.5 percent loss of driving range
• Hybrids experience a 12 percent decrease in fuel efficiency

Operating costs

The study found that operating costs for both types of cars increases in extreme hot and cold weather.

At 20 degrees:

• Hybrids showed an increase in fuel cost of $28.44 per 1,000 miles
• EVs experienced an increase in operating costs of $32.11 per 1,000 miles when charged at home electricity rates and $76.93 per 1,000 miles when using public charging

At 95 degrees:

• Hybrid operating costs increased by $13.02 per 1,000 miles
• For EVs using home charging, operating costs rose by $6.78 per 1,000 miles, while public charging costs climbed $16.25 per 1,000 miles