As electric vehicles (EVs) grow more widely popular, one of the major topics of discussion is vehicle range under different temperature conditions. And, as it turns out, an EV’s range can vary quite substantially under cold weather conditions.
A Tesla Model Y owner commuted in temperatures between 2 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit, ultimately finding a difference of 47 miles between the car’s projected mileage after charging and its actual capabilities.
During the drive, as reported by user u/monoseanism on Reddit, the Tesla warned the owner of a downward ratio of charge versus range in the current climate, encouraging gradual drops in speed to preserve battery, before the driver ultimately needed to stop and charge prior to arrival.
The driver reported a trip from Denver to Crested Butte, Colorado, a trip of roughly 225 miles. Upon leaving the Conifer, Colorado Supercharger station, approximately 198 miles from Crested Butte, the owner charged up to 280 miles. Then, the owner, after getting nervous on the road in the cold Rockies, ended up having to stop in Poncha Springs at the Supercharger, a mere 112 miles from their prior charge and only about 90 miles from Crested Butte – 198 miles from the Conifer Supercharger where the owner charged up to a supposed 280 miles.
Overall, the trip resulted in a 370 Wh/mi on average, says ‘monoseanism’. Of course, this is just one account of driving a Tesla Model Y in winter weather.
A Model Y winter range test was also shared last month by @kkvr2823 in Canada, which concluded efficiency in the SUV was slightly better than the Model 3 LR AWD:
Comparing the Model Y to the Model 3 SR+ and Model 3 LR AWD in the same temperature ranges yields the efficiency order of : Model Y (66.2%) > Model 3 LR AWD (64.5%) > Model 3 SR+ (62.2%). NOTE: Model Y HAS THE HEAT PUMP w/OCTOVALVE. pic.twitter.com/guDOeOGuPg
— KKVR (@kkvr2823) October 18, 2020
While the Model Y didn’t stand much of a chance against extreme cold, new EPA ratings on upcoming Model 3 ratings place the vehicle’s top Long Range Performance model with a range of 322 total miles, the longest of Tesla’s lineup. And hopefully, as Tesla’s vehicles continue to grow, its vehicles will continue to improve at their ability to hold up against cold weather.
