Extreme winter weather can do more than make people uncomfortable—it can also cripple the batteries that power electric vehicles, backup systems, and everyday devices.
When temperatures plunge, many batteries lose their ability to charge or deliver energy, sometimes when they are needed most.
Researchers at Texas A&M University say they have developed a new type of battery designed to keep working even in severe cold.
The research team, led by chemical engineering professor Dr. Jodie Lutkenhaus, created a polymer-based battery that can function at temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees.
Their findings were published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A.
The breakthrough could help make energy storage more reliable during winter storms, cold snaps, and in polar or high-altitude environments.
Traditional batteries struggle in the cold mainly because of the liquid electrolyte inside them. This liquid carries charged particles, allowing electricity to flow.
But when temperatures drop too low, the liquid can thicken or freeze, blocking the movement of these particles. Without that movement, the battery cannot charge or discharge.
This problem became highly visible during a severe cold snap in Chicago in 2024, when some electric vehicle batteries were too frozen to charge at public stations.
To solve this issue, the researchers replaced the standard liquid electrolyte with a different type that stays fluid at very low temperatures.
They also replaced the rigid inorganic materials commonly used in battery electrodes with softer polymer materials. These polymers allow charged particles to move more easily, even when it is extremely cold.
Because the materials naturally tolerate low temperatures, the battery does not have to struggle against its own chemistry.
The new design is known as an organic dual-ion battery. It uses special polymers that can store and release energy through chemical reactions.
In tests, the battery kept 85 percent of its capacity at freezing temperature and still held 55 percent at minus 40 degrees. It also delivered strong power output, showing that it could handle demanding uses rather than just slow, low-energy tasks.
The researchers also focused on making the battery physically tougher. Conventional batteries often rely on metal components that add weight and can crack under stress, especially in harsh conditions.
Instead, the team used woven carbon fiber, which conducts electricity while also strengthening the battery’s structure.
This approach creates what scientists call a “structural battery,” meaning it can both store energy and act as part of a device’s framework. Such batteries could reduce weight and improve durability in electric vehicles, drones, and other equipment.
Reliable cold-weather batteries could play an important role in future energy systems. During severe storms, power grids can fail, leaving communities dependent on backup power. Batteries that keep working in the cold could help maintain electricity for homes, hospitals, and communication systems.
They could also improve the performance of electric vehicles in winter climates, where range often drops sharply.
Although the technology is still in the research stage, the study shows that smarter material choices can overcome long-standing limits of battery performance. The researchers hope their work will lead to energy storage systems that remain dependable in all seasons, not just in mild weather.
For now, Lutkenhaus offers simple advice for battery users during cold weather: keep devices as warm as possible, such as storing electric vehicles in garages when temperatures drop. Until cold-proof batteries become widely available, a little protection from the elements can still make a big difference.
