One of the biggest criticisms of electric vehicles is that they struggle in extreme cold. Batteries lose efficiency, range drops, and reliability can become a concern. That is why a recent test in Wisconsin caught my attention.

Madison has been running electric buses through harsh winter conditions to see if they can truly replace diesel transit. Early versions of the buses had issues, but improvements in battery technology and the addition of overhead charging stations have made a significant difference.

During a recent cold snap where temperatures dropped to about minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit, the buses kept running even as schools closed for the day.

What stood out to me is that this is how progress usually happens. The first attempt rarely works perfectly. Technology improves, systems adapt, and over time solutions become more reliable.

Transportation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, so finding ways to electrify public transit matters. Madison’s experience shows that cleaner transportation is not just a warm climate solution. It can work even in the middle of a brutal winter.