Cold Weather Impact on Model S Range

[Galmar_Stone_Fist]

Hey everyone, I’m trying to get a better sense of what to expect with the Model S in colder weather, and I figured this would be a good place to ask. If this belongs in another section, feel free to move it!

I’ve been driving a Chevy Volt for the past few years. I’ve noticed some significant range drops when it’s cold. Under normal conditions, I get around 30-40 miles of range, but in very cold weather, that can drop to about 22 miles, a reduction of around 30-40%.

For those of you driving a Model S, did you notice any similar percentages in the cold? I’m curious because I’ll be upgrading to a Model 3 soon and want to get a realistic idea of what to expect for its range during winter.

 

[StevenJackson]

Cold weather can really mess with your EV's range, but how much depends on the situation. If battery’s cold during trips, you’ll definitely notice a bigger drop, especially if you’re cranking up the heater. The good news is you can work around it a bit - try preheating the battery, using seat warmers, etc. It's tough to say exactly how much range you’ll lose, but 20-30% is probably a safe guess. In super chilly conditions, though, you could see it drop even more - maybe double that; especially with a freezing cold battery.

 

[Tori1]

The Model S's range can decrease by 20–30% in colder climates, much like your Volt did. Although it's common, regenerative braking might lessen the loss..

 

[TeslaSDriver25]

This is something common in EV space. I don't think there will ever be a solution for range not to drop in cold temperatures.