Gary Zhou 
- ❄️ The upgraded Tesla Model 3 won a winter range test in -20°C weather.
- 🌐 Tesla’s electric vehicles performed well in frigid conditions, challenging the notion that they are useless in the cold.
- 🚗 The test included popular electric cars like Volkswagen ID.7, BWM i5, BYD Dolphin, and Hyundai Kona Electric.
- 📏 The Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor AWD drove over 300 km despite the extremely cold weather.
- 🌡️ Some competing electric vehicles experienced issues such as stopping with battery left or implementing power-saving measures.
- 🏆 The upgraded Tesla Model 3 topped the Finnish newspaper’s winter driving test for overall performance.
As winter blankets the landscape in a frigid embrace, the performance of electric vehicles faces a critical examination. Recent revelations from a winter range test conducted by the Finnish newspaper Tekniikan Maailma (TM) have shattered stereotypes, with the upgraded Tesla Model 3 emerging triumphant in the icy showdown at -20°C.
Electric Warriors Defying the Cold
Contrary to prevailing assumptions, Tesla’s electric vehicles showcased remarkable resilience in freezing temperatures. The commonly held belief that electric cars become impractical in cold weather, akin to their combustion-powered counterparts, has been challenged. TM’s test, conducted in harsh conditions, aimed to explore the true potential of popular electric cars when faced with freezing temperatures.
The Chilling Lineup
The test enlisted ten electric vehicles, creating a diverse field for assessment. Among the contenders were the upgraded Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor, Volkswagen ID.7 Pro Elegance, BWM i5 eDrive 40 M Sport, BYD Dolphin Comfort, Hyundai Kona Electric 65 kWh Premium, and the MG4 Luxury. Each vehicle underwent the trial, where they were driven until their operational limits were reached.
Tesla’s Triumph: Driving Beyond Limits
While the competition faced hurdles such as premature stops and power-saving measures triggered by depleting batteries, the upgraded Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor AWD defied the odds. It not only continued to operate beyond its estimated WLTP range of 629 km but also traversed over 300 km in the bone-chilling weather. This impressive feat set the Tesla Model 3 apart as a winter warrior, emphasizing its capability to navigate extreme conditions.
Battle of Batteries: Competitors’ Struggles
In contrast, some rivals succumbed to the harsh environment. The Hyundai Kona Electric, despite having 7% battery remaining, came to a halt, highlighting the challenges faced by competitors. Other electric vehicles, like the MG4 and Volkswagen ID.7, implemented power-saving measures, with interior heating being cut off at specific battery levels (15% and 10%, respectively).
Insights from the Frosty Expedition
Lauri Ahtiainen, the producer of TM’s electric car operating distance tests, shared insights into the results. “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 commented. This underscores the complexity of electric vehicle performance in extreme conditions and the varied responses observed among different models.
