A popular question from an EV driver in coastal California sparked a surprising amount of reassurance from the EV community: “Is it okay to put my 2023 Bolt EUV in the garage with a heat pump water heater that might make the garage cold?”
The short answer from hundreds of EV owners? Yes—absolutely.
EVs and Cold: More Resilient Than You Think
EV drivers from Minnesota to Northern Ohio chimed in. They shared firsthand experiences of daily use in sub-zero temperatures. One Bolt owner regularly drives in -30°C conditions with no issue beyond expected range reduction.
Others pointed out that garages rarely get that cold—even with a heat pump water heater installed. In fact, many users found that the air cooled by these heaters doesn’t significantly affect the temperature of an insulated garage.
Heat Pumps: Cool Air, Big Efficiency
Heat pump water heaters are known for their efficiency, but they do release cold air. However, unless you’re taking multiple long showers back-to-back, the cooling effect is minimal.
In fact, some users found that the slight cooling and dehumidifying was actually beneficial for the garage—and possibly for the EV battery’s long-term health. One commenter joked that you’re basically getting a bonus climate-controlled garage.
What About Battery Health?
Modern EVs are built to protect their batteries from temperature extremes. They self-regulate battery temperature and often allow preconditioning. That means even if your garage dips into the 50s Fahrenheit, your Bolt EUV will be just fine—especially in temperate regions like coastal California.
Final Takeaway
Unless you’re turning your garage into a walk-in freezer, there’s nothing to worry about. Your EV won’t suffer from sharing space with a heat pump water heater. And if anything, your water heater might just help lower humidity and improve your garage climate overall.
So go ahead—install that heat pump and enjoy energy savings without worry. Your EV will thank you.
