this is definitely false; While almost everything (electronics/mechanics/hydraulics/pressure vessels) hates the heat, the operation temperature for Li-Ion cells is not too low, either. In very layman terms: the chemistry is not effective at lower temperatures.

As an experiment: have a two year phone and leave it at -20C, it might shut down on its own even at higher charge (voltage) as the battery cannot provide the needed current.

Vehicle batteries are designed for the same sorts of temperatures that humans like, say 10 to 30 °C.

In cold weather, energy has to be taken from the batteries to heat them up so that they work better. More energy is taken to heat the cabin of the vehicle for the occupants' comfort. This reduces the energy left in the battery for moving the vehicle.

> ...Cold temperatures slow down the chemical reactions in battery cells, which saps range and increases charging times.

I ride a motorcycle and carry my phone in a pocket that's outside the thermal lining. I absolutely see the difference in how much it discharges when it's ~5ºC vs above 15ºC. And I'm thinking of the trip to my parents' house, so same duration, speed, and phone station locations.

EVs also have to heat the cabin without much "waste" energy (ie-- ICE).