Contrary to recent narratives suggesting Tesla's inefficiency in cold weather, a winter range test conducted by the Finnish newspaper Tekniikan Maailma (TM) reveals the resilience of Tesla electric vehicles in freezing conditions. While conventional electric vehicle tests are typically performed in controlled environments at around +23°C, TM's examination aimed to determine the real-world performance of popular electric cars in a more challenging setting, with temperatures plummeting to approximately -20°C (-4°F).
Ten electric vehicles, including the upgraded Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor, Volkswagen ID.7 Pro Elegance, BMW i5 eDrive 40 M Sport, BYD Dolphin Comfort, Hyundai Kona Electric 65 kWh Premium, and MG4 Luxury, were subjected to the test. Each vehicle was driven until it ceased to operate. Notably, the Hyundai Kona Electric stopped with 7% battery remaining, while the MG4 and Volkswagen ID.7 activated power-saving measures, cutting off interior heating at 15% and 10%, respectively.
In contrast, the upgraded Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor AWD demonstrated remarkable performance by remaining operational despite indicating a 0% battery level. The vehicle covered over 300 km in the harsh winter conditions, showcasing its resilience. Although its range during the test saw a decrease from the estimated WLTP range of 629 km, the upgraded Tesla Model 3 stood out as the top performer in TM's winter driving test.
Lauri Ahtiainen, the producer of TM's electric car operating distance tests, commented on the results, noting the varying responses of different cars to severe cold. "The severe cold has an effect, but in the challenging weather, some of the cars were still able to assess the battery’s sufficiency really well, and some stopped unexpectedly," Ahtiainen said.
-------------The article excerpted from TESLARATI.