Evidence from the recent freeway holdups in the US indicate that it's not much of a problem. A stationary car with just lights and heat on low would use 1KW maybe 2.

So if we were to take your example using a typical EV like a VW ID3 which has a 58KWh battery.

On 60% charge it would have about 35KWh capacity. In winter conditions, assuming a consumption rate of 3.5m/KWh this means a range of just over 120 miles.

If you hit a 4-hour jam and insist on keeping toasty warm, you'd lose 8KWh or 28 miles of range, ie down to 92 miles.



Tim H.
1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE