This post examines the real-world consequences of pushing electric vehicles (EVs) into cold, rural regions without the supporting technology or infrastructure.
Using the recent example of a Kashmiri apple farmer whose purchase of an electric three-wheeler failed in sub-zero temperatures, I outline why lithium-ion batteries lose range in cold climates and how policy incentives fell short.
I also discuss what pragmatic steps are needed to prevent similar economic harm to vulnerable communities.
The Kashmiri case: when good intentions meet harsh winters
The story of Bashir Ahmad, who sold his wife’s gold jewelry to buy an electric three-wheeler — only to see the battery lose 60% of its charge overnight — is not an isolated anecdote.
In Kashmir, where apple farming is a roughly $2 billion sector employing nearly half the workforce, stranded fruit and halted deliveries have turned EVs from a promise of savings into a source of deep financial loss.
How subsidies missed critical real-world constraints
India’s 40% subsidy on vehicle price helped farmers afford EVs, but it did not address the physics of battery performance in sub-zero temperatures.
Batteries designed for temperate urban areas cannot simply be dropped into Himalayan conditions without thermal management, charging infrastructure, or trained technicians.
The result: farmers improvising solutions — wrapping batteries in quilts or moving them indoors — often damaging expensive systems and voiding warranties.
Why lithium-ion batteries struggle in cold weather
As an engineer who has studied electrochemical systems for three decades, I can say the phenomena are predictable: internal resistance rises, chemical kinetics slow, and a battery that might have a 200 km range in warm weather can lose up to half of that in the cold.
The operational problems in Kashmir are classic cold-climate battery failures:
Why diesel stays dominant — and what that implies
Diesel trucks remain the reliable workhorse because their energy source tolerates cold.
For farmers who must move perishable goods daily, reliability trumps fuel cost savings when a failed trip means spoiled fruit and lost income.
Labeling EVs “expensive decoration” reflects the acute economic distress caused by mismatched technology and environment.
Lessons from Norway and China: infrastructure, standards, and new chemistries
Norway’s nearly 89% EV market share didn’t happen by accident.
It reflects comprehensive investment: widespread fast charging, cold-weather battery heating systems, and a maintenance ecosystem.
China advanced through aggressive subsidies, stronger battery standards, and adoption of alternative chemistries, including sodium-ion batteries that perform at –40°C.
Practical steps for policymakers and cooperatives
For underdeveloped, cold regions considering EV adoption, policy must be holistic.
Subsidies for vehicles alone are insufficient.
The rollout must include:
In Kashmir, cooperatives are already disengaging after repeated failures.
Reversing that trend will require targeted investment and technology suited to the climate.
Our responsibility is to match technology to context.
The electric transition can succeed in cold, rural regions if we pair vehicle incentives with robust infrastructure and appropriate battery technologies.
Here is the source article for this story: The cold truth about EVs: Freezing weather slashes battery mileage