This paper studies the delay-dependent stability problem of single-area load frequency control (LFC) systems with electric vehicles. A novel Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional (LKF), called the delay-interval-based piecewise Lyapunov functional, is introduced. This innovative LKF approach allows for the construction of distinct LKFs within specific delay intervals, relaxing the requirement that a single LKF must exist for the entire delay interval. By incorporating the zero equation method, less conservatism delay-dependent stability criteria for LFC systems are obtained. Simulations are performed to illustrate the effectiveness and superiority of the presented methods.