Polestar 3 Maintains 95% Range in Arctic Cold: How NMC Batteries and Thermal Management Beat Winter

Arctic Circle Laboratory: Where EVs Learn to Handle Ice

North of the Arctic Circle in Jokkmokk, Sweden, Polestar conducts rigorous winter testing on frozen lakes. This extreme environment serves as the ultimate proving ground for electric vehicle performance in sub-zero temperatures. Custom-built circuits on the ice feature varied track designs—tight corners, long sweeping turns, and high-speed loops—to evaluate traction, handling, and stability under challenging conditions.

The ice thickness measurements are precise: while Swedish standards allow as little as 25 cm for certain vehicles, Polestar’s testing areas often exceed one meter to ensure safety. Weather conditions fluctuate from sub-zero temperatures to occasional midday thawing, adding complexity to the testing process and reflecting real-world winter driving scenarios.

A snowy, forested setting with three cars driving along an icy road. Photo Source - Polestar — A snowy, forested setting with three cars driving along an icy road. Photo Source – Polestar

Cold Weather EV Performance: Battery Chemistry Makes a Difference

Temperature plays a critical role in EV battery performance. Cold weather reduces chemical reaction rates in lithium-ion batteries, affecting efficiency, charging capability, and range. Polestar uses NMC ( Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery cells, which perform better in cold weather compared to LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) alternatives.

NMC batteries maintain higher energy density and better cold-weather performance, though they come at a higher cost. According to battery technology research, LFP batteries experience greater capacity and power output reduction at low temperatures due to decreased ionic conductivity and slower electrochemical reactions.

This technical edge was demonstrated during the independent El Prix 2025 winter range test in Norway, where the Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack achieved remarkable results. The vehicle traveled 531 km—just 5% short of its official 561 km WLTP rating. For context, the next closest competitor fell 9% short of its rating, while another car managed similar overall distance but was 24% below its WLTP figure.

Thermal Management and Pre-conditioning: Essential Cold-Weather Strategies

Pre-conditioning—warming the battery and cabin while still connected to a charger—is essential for maintaining performance. This process reduces in-drive energy consumption and mitigates range loss. Polestar’s thermal management system ensures optimal operating temperature for battery cells while balancing energy efficiency.

Heat pump technology also plays a crucial role. Unlike resistive heating, heat pumps transfer rather than generate heat, significantly improving energy efficiency. Even with decreased efficiency in extremely cold temperatures, heat pumps remain more efficient than conventional resistive heating systems.

Regenerative Braking in Cold Weather: The Balance Challenge

Cold temperatures increase internal battery resistance, reducing the ability to efficiently capture regenerative energy. Polestar implements sophisticated software algorithms to balance regenerative and friction braking, ensuring stability and safety.

When temperatures drop severely, the system might limit regenerative braking to prevent overcharging or stability issues, relying more on traditional friction brakes. This adaptive approach maintains consistent vehicle control regardless of temperature fluctuations.

The Polestar Arctic Circle Collection: Rally-Inspired Performance

Polestar has created a unique “Arctic Circle” collection featuring specially modified versions of their entire lineup: Polestar 2, 3, and 4. These rally-inspired vehicles express the brand’s performance DNA with significant technical upgrades:

Increased ride height (+30mm for Polestar 2, +40mm for Polestar 3, +20mm for Polestar 4)
Custom Öhlins 3-way adjustable dampers with external gas reservoirs
Specialized Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires with 4mm studs (250 studs for Polestar 2, 300 for Polestar 3 and 4)
OZ Racing Rally wheels (19″ for Polestar 2, 20″ Rally Legend wheels for Polestar 3 and 4)
Recaro Pole Position bucket seats
Stedi Quad Pro LED front spotlights and additional lighting
Rally-inspired mud flaps and Swedish gold tow hooks

Each vehicle maintains its distinct characteristics: the Polestar 2 resembles a rally car, the Polestar 3 projects a bold SUV stance, and the Polestar 4 presents itself as a fast, athletic machine. The collection debuted at the 2025 FAT Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria, on February 1st.

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Vehicle Dynamics on Ice: Torque Vectoring and Weight Distribution

Advanced systems like torque vectoring distribute power to individual wheels, enhancing traction and stability on slippery surfaces. This technology allows precise control of wheel slip, improving cornering performance and reducing understeer or oversteer.

Vehicle weight distribution affects handling significantly. While EVs typically have a lower center of gravity due to their battery pack positioning, their overall weight impacts inertia and handling. This requires careful tuning of suspension and stability control systems.

Joakim Rydholm, Polestar’s Head of Driving Dynamics and a rally driver with over 30 years of motorsport experience, explains: “It’s a dream for an engineer. We have raised the suspension, used Öhlins racing dampers, but we have tweaked it in the SUV direction for Polestar 3 and crossover direction for Polestar 4… Because if you have control in a car, you are fast. That’s what we have achieved here.”

Software-Defined Vehicle: Continuous Improvement Through OTA Updates

As Europe’s first software-defined vehicle, the Polestar 3 receives regular over-the-air (OTA) updates to enhance functionality and performance. Since its launch in June 2024, Polestar has implemented nine software updates to the flagship SUV.

The latest update adds features like walk-away locking and digital key functionality for selected devices. This allows compatible smartphone users to unlock, lock, or start their vehicle without removing their phone from their pocket.

For model year 2026 the Polestar 3 will be delivered with an upgrade from its current -generation NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Xavier processor to a new, more powerful, NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin processor.

Tire Technology: Studded Performance

Tire selection is critical for winter performance. The Arctic Circle collection uses specialized Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires with 4mm studs—250 studs for the Polestar 2 and 300 for the Polestar 3 and 4. These provide exceptional grip on ice and snow, crucial for maintaining traction and control.

For road driving, the vehicles are equipped with Pirelli winter tires: P Zero Winter for Polestar 2 and Scorpion Winter 2 for Polestar 3 and 4. Tire pressure and compound influence also influence winter performance, affecting grip, rolling resistance, and handling characteristics.

Climate Change Context: Shifting Testing Conditions

The winter testing environment itself reflects climate change impacts, with more variable weather conditions including milder temperatures and occasional thawing. These changes add complexity to the testing process and highlight the need for EVs to perform consistently across fluctuating conditions.

Michael Lohscheller, Polestar CEO, notes: “We develop our cars above the Arctic Circle in Sweden, so it’s no surprise for us that Polestar 3 performs better than the competition in challenging conditions.”

Range Options: Expanding Customer Choice

The Polestar 3 lineup offers multiple powertrain configurations to suit different customer needs. The Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack delivers up to 380 kW (approximately 509 hp) and an updated WLTP range of 567 km for model year 2025 vehicles.

For customers prioritizing maximum range, the recently introduced Long Range Single Motor variant provides an impressive 706 km WLTP range from its 111 kWh battery. This rear-wheel drive configuration balances performance with extended travel capability.

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What Next for EV Winter Performance

As climate patterns continue to evolve, EV manufacturers must adapt their testing protocols and vehicle designs. Continuous software improvements through OTA updates allow manufacturers to optimize cold-weather performance and battery management even after vehicles reach customers.

Polestar’s comprehensive winter testing program demonstrates their commitment to developing resilient, high-performance EVs capable of handling extreme conditions. The minimal range loss, exceptional handling, and effective battery management in sub-zero temperatures establish a benchmark for the industry as electric vehicles continue to gain market share worldwide.

Polestar Winter Testing FAQs

Most electric vehicles lose 20-40% of their range in freezing temperatures according to data from AAA Automotive Research Center. However, Polestar 3 showed exceptional cold-weather performance in the El Prix 2025 test, losing only 5% of its WLTP range (531 km actual vs. 561 km rated). This performance significantly outpaced competitors, with the next best vehicle losing 9% of its rated range in the same conditions.

Battery chemistry is the key factor. Polestar uses NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) batteries which maintain better cold-weather performance than alternatives like LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate). NMC batteries have higher energy density and better ionic conductivity at low temperatures. Effective thermal management systems that keep batteries at optimal operating temperatures also play a crucial role in preserving range and performance in winter conditions.

Polestar conducts winter testing north of the Arctic Circle in Jokkmokk, Sweden on frozen lakes. They build custom ice circuits with varied track designs including tight corners, long sweeping turns, and high-speed sections. The ice thickness often exceeds one meter for safety (Swedish standards allow as little as 25 cm for certain vehicles). These tests evaluate traction, handling, stability, and battery performance in extreme cold, with experienced professionals like Joakim Rydholm (Head of Driving Dynamics) overseeing the process.

Pre-conditioning means warming the battery and cabin while the car is still plugged into a charger. This process is essential in cold weather because it brings the battery to its optimal operating temperature before driving, which reduces energy consumption once you’re on the road. Without pre-conditioning, the car would use battery power to warm itself up, significantly reducing your driving range. Many EVs allow you to schedule pre-conditioning via mobile apps so your car is ready when you need it.

The Arctic Circle collection features specially modified versions of the Polestar 2, 3, and 4 with rally-inspired upgrades. These include increased ride height (+30mm for Polestar 2, +40mm for Polestar 3, +20mm for Polestar 4), custom Öhlins 3-way adjustable dampers, specialized studded tires, OZ Racing rally wheels, Recaro bucket seats, and additional lighting. Each vehicle maintains distinct characteristics while showcasing Polestar’s performance DNA developed within the Arctic Circle. The collection debuted at the 2025 FAT Ice Race in Austria on February 1st.

As Europe’s first software-defined vehicle, the Polestar 3 receives regular over-the-air (OTA) updates that enhance functionality without requiring dealer visits. Since its June 2024 launch, Polestar has implemented nine software updates to the SUV. These updates add new features (like walk-away locking and digital key functionality), improve software stability, and optimize driving attributes including winter performance. For model year 2026, Polestar 3 will upgrade to the more powerful NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin processor, with existing customers receiving this hardware upgrade at no additional cost.

Cold temperatures increase battery internal resistance, reducing its ability to efficiently capture regenerative energy when braking. To handle this, Polestar uses sophisticated software to balance regenerative and friction braking based on conditions. In very cold temperatures, the system might limit regenerative braking to prevent overcharging or stability issues, relying more on traditional friction brakes. This adaptive approach maintains consistent vehicle control regardless of temperature, ensuring safety and performance in all conditions.

The recently introduced Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor variant provides the longest range at 706 km WLTP from its 111 kWh battery. This rear-wheel drive configuration balances performance with extended travel capability. For comparison, the Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack delivers up to 380 kW (approximately 509 hp) with a WLTP range of 567 km for model year 2025 vehicles. The range options allow customers to choose between maximum range or enhanced performance depending on their priorities.

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