# AAA study warns on temperature impact for EV, hybrid buyers in Kentucky **Published:** 2026-05-06T04:36:42.000Z **Source:** [NKY Tribune](https://nkytribune.com/2026/05/aaa-if-you-are-considering-an-alternative-fuel-vehicle-theres-some-valuable-information/) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/aaa-study-warns-on-temperature-impact-for-ev-hybrid-buyers-in-kentucky Consumers considering electric or hybrid vehicles should factor in how Kentucky's seasonal extremes will affect their purchase, according to [newly released research from AAA](https://nkytribune.com/2026/05/aaa-if-you-are-considering-an-alternative-fuel-vehicle-theres-some-valuable-information/). The automotive research organization's latest study reveals that cold winter temperatures significantly reduce the efficiency and range of both electric vehicles and hybrids, while hot summer days take a smaller toll on performance. For Kentucky drivers, the findings carry particular weight as the state experiences temperature swings that impact vehicle reliability year-round. The study, conducted by AAA's automotive engineering team in partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California, tested three electric vehicles and three hybrids at temperatures of 20°F, 75°F, and 95°F. At 20°F, EVs demonstrated a 35.6% drop in efficiency and a 39% decrease in driving range compared to moderate conditions. Hybrids fared better but still experienced a 22.8% loss in fuel economy. "EVs are efficient in moderate temperatures but lose significant range in the cold," said Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering and research at AAA. "We expected this from our previous research but were surprised by the 23% reduction in fuel economy for the hybrids in cold temperatures." The cost implications are substantial. In cold weather, EV operating expenses increase by $32.11 per 1,000 miles when charging at home and $76.93 per 1,000 miles using public chargers, compared to warm-weather operations. Hybrid operating costs rise by $28.44 per 1,000 miles in cold conditions. The findings arrive as [Kentucky expands its EV charging infrastructure](https://kyevcharging.com/ev-plan) with federal funding. The state has invested over $31 million in fast-charging stations along interstates and parkways, with eight locations already operational in communities including Berea, Richmond, and Hazard. [Kentucky received nearly $70 million in federal funding](https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Pages/EVPlan.aspx) through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build out EV charging capacity over five years. AAA's consumer sentiment survey shows Americans remain more interested in hybrids than fully electric vehicles. About 35% of U.S. adults say they are "very likely" or "likely" to purchase a hybrid, compared to 18% interested in fully electric vehicles. Those favoring hybrids cite reduced range anxiety and improved access to charging as key factors. "Understanding how summer's heat or the cold of winter could impact your vehicle's efficiency and cost to operate is an important piece of the car-buying puzzle," said Lori Weaver Hawkins, public and government affairs manager for AAA Blue Grass. "Armed with this information, consumers can make some adjustments to manage the impacts if they determine an alternative-fuel vehicle is the right choice for them." AAA recommends that consumers considering EVs precondition cabins while vehicles are plugged in, use targeted comfort features like seat heaters rather than full cabin heat, keep tires properly inflated, and evaluate their access to home charging versus reliance on public chargers. [AAA's driving costs calculator](https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/drivingcosts) can help estimate ownership expenses based on local climate and charging options. ## Sources - [NKY Tribune](https://nkytribune.com/2026/05/aaa-if-you-are-considering-an-alternative-fuel-vehicle-theres-some-valuable-information/) - [Kentucky's EV Charging Program expansion details](https://kyevcharging.com/ev-plan) - [AAA study on EV and hybrid performance in extreme temperatures](https://newsroom.aaa.com/2026/05/aaa-study-reveals-temperature-impacts-on-ev-and-hybrid-performance-efficiency-and-costs/) - [Kentucky Transportation Cabinet EV Infrastructure Plan](https://transportation.ky.gov/Planning/Pages/EVPlan.aspx) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from NKY Tribune, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://nkytribune.com/2026/05/aaa-if-you-are-considering-an-alternative-fuel-vehicle-theres-some-valuable-information/.