EV has become something like a buzzword lately. Wherever you go, someone drops electric vehicles into the conversation, but how couldn’t they when politicians, news channels and EV pundits are constantly talking about the benefits of going electric?

But if you adore your gas-guzzler or simply lack the funds for an EV at this time, you may have also come across the less positive titles and news articles that discuss the burden on the power grid, the inadequate infrastructure, and the EV charging maintenance issues. So, it’s normal to have doubts about electric vehicles and wonder if these cars are really the holy grail of the automotive industry.

Now that harsh winter storms with below zero temperatures and heavy snow have hit the US East Coast, we are learning that there are additional problems with EVs that were not previously well-known. Domenick Nati is a radio presenter and a Tesla owner who posted a video on TikTok, where he explained how he got stranded for Christmas because his Model S didn’t charge at the Supercharger station in the cold. He even tried to warm up his Tesla for almost two hours, but he constantly got the same message, “Battery is heating – keep charge cable inserted.”

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This Is How Cold Weather Affected The Tesla

Blue 2021 Model S
Tesla

Nati says that his Tesla Model S wouldn't charge in the freezing temps (19°F or -7°C), making it impossible for him to reach his son for Christmas morning. Nothing changed despite his 15-hour efforts to charge the battery, and the car still displayed the same 19-mile range and the identical "battery is heating" warning. The radio host claimed he attempted to charge the Tesla both at home and, later, at a nearby Supercharger, but neither attempt produced the desired results. According to Electrek, Nati tried to contact Tesla about the problem, but was unable to talk to a representative. Unfortunately, Nati didn't have a backup vehicle and ride-sharing services weren't available in his region, so he couldn’t reach his son in time.

Electrek states that “the video and media reports on it are creating some confusion.” The news website dedicated to electric transportation argues that “this is a malfunction with this gentleman’s specific vehicle” and not a problem that comes with charging a Tesla in colder temperatures.

“First off, it’s true that electric vehicle charging is affected by colder temperatures, but this is not normal,” says Electrek. “It takes time for the battery pack to warm up enough to accept higher charge rates. That’s why Tesla built-in a feature that enables the battery pack to condition itself for charging ahead of time if you enter a charge point in the navigation system.”

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Here's Why EVs Struggle In Cold Weather

Tesla Model 3 winter driving
Teslarati

Research indicates that cold temperatures impact electric vehicles. For instance, the American Automobile Association tested the BMW i3, Chevrolet Bolt and the Nissan Leaf from the 2018 model year, and the 2017 Tesla Model S 75D and Volkswagen e-Golf at 20°. The AAA found that the average driving range decreased by 12 percent when the driver turned off the cabin heating. Furthermore, the driving range decreased by 41 percent after turning on the heater.

Meanwhile, Wired reminds us that lithium-ion batteries are highly sensitive to temperature changes.

Batteries are like humans,” says Anna Stefanopoulou, director of the University of Michigan’s Energy Institute. “They prefer the same sort of temperature range that people do. Anything below 40 or above 115 degrees Fahrenheit, and they’re not going to deliver their peak performance. They like to be around 60 to 80 degrees. As the temperature drops, the electrolyte fluid inside the battery cells becomes more sluggish.”

The Norwegian Automobile Federation came to an identical conclusion, and it emphasized that cold weather can cut an EV's range by around 20 percent. It also mentioned that it takes longer to recharge under colder conditions.

Now that we’ve established that cold weather has a serious impact on EVs, let’s see if Tesla is a special case that reacts far worse than its rivals. In a Reddit post, a user presents the case of a Tesla Model 3 that supposedly is not charging at -20° C, and he inquires if other Tesla owners experienced the same issues.

“My Model 3 failed to charge at scheduled time a couple nights ago. It's in a garage. I think it's the first time I've noticed it. So it could just be a bug in the software,” replied @ubermoxi.

“This happens to me from time to time when the charging plug isn't fully seated. It's important to check the phone app, it will tell you if the connector isn't properly engaged,” added @professorgerbil.

Most answers on the forum pointed towards a “software hiccup,” which might be the most reasonable answer, considering that only a few owners reported the issue. However, on Tesla Motors Club, a different post from 2017 presents a similar case with a Tesla that is not charging at cold temperatures. It goes without saying that Tesla should have addressed this problem in the last five years, even though it only affects some vehicles.

Sources: Tesla Motors Club, Reddit, Consumer Reports, AP News, Wired, Electrek, and Autoweek