Tesla Model S pleasantly surprises with cold-weather range in an extensive EV test

The batteries of the updated Tesla Model S have proven resistant to cold and capable of supplying power for enough range in extreme conditions, a team of reporters over at Motor.no concluded after testing 29 different EVs on that country’s roads.

The publication has been testing electric vehicles on a regular basis lately, trying to figure out which models yield the greatest driving range per charge in cold weather. The Tesla Model S set an absolute record among its rivals, surprising the test drivers.

All cars followed the same 365-kilometer (227-mile) long route from Oslo to Hjerkinn and back. They were driven in their respective ‘standard’ modes. The temperature was within -5…-10 degrees Celsius (14…23 Fahrenheit) with occasional dips to -19 ºC (-2 ºF) in the mountains.

The Tesla Model S went farther than all its rivals – 530 km (329 miles) on a charge. With an OEM-rated normal range of 634 km (394 miles), it meant a 16.4% decrease in range due to cold weather, a very solid performance. The Model 3 tested earlier also set a record with 521 km (323.7 miles) on a charge. The liftback also had its batteries charged to only 98% due to technical issues, so it might have gone even farther with the pack maxed out.

In terms of frost resistance, the China-made Maxus Euniq6 unexpectedly proved the best with a 10.45% reduction in range due to the freezing air. Having said that, its range of 317 km (197 miles) was not particularly impressive. Having tested 12 Chinese EVs, the Motor.no crew concluded that they seemed to be rather great in terms of price-to-performance ratio.

The RWD Toyota bZ4X was found the single worst wintertime performer. Its normal OEM-claimed range of 503 km (312,5 miles) shrank to just 323 km (200.7 miles) in the cold, a more-than-33% loss.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE wasn’t too impressive either with 409 km (254 mi) instead of the promised 614 km (381.5 mi). The BMW i7 covered 424 km (263.5 mi) instead of 595 km (369.7 mi). The Voyah Free managed 391 km (243 mi) instead of 501 km (311.3 mi), the Hongqi E-HS9 ran out of juice after 303 km (188.3 mi) instead of 465 km (289 mi). The JAC e-JS4 made 323 km (200.7 mi) instead of 433 km (269 mi).