January 18th 2024.
The recent deep freeze in Chicago has caused quite the predicament for Tesla owners. With temperatures plunging to -18°C, many of Elon Musk's smart cars were found stranded outside charging stations, their batteries drained and dead. This unfortunate situation has shed light on the challenges that electric cars face in extreme cold weather.
As a precaution, Tesla recommends keeping the battery charged above 20% when not in use to minimize the effects of cold temperatures on the battery. However, the long lines at charging stations meant that many of the vehicles were forced to wait for hours, causing their batteries to die in the frigid conditions. This has sparked criticism towards Tesla, as this is not the first time their cars have failed to operate in cold weather. In the past, there have been instances of the car doors freezing shut, leaving owners unable to enter their vehicles.
One such incident occurred last year in Canada, when meteorologist Rachel Modestino found the door of her Tesla frozen shut when the temperature dropped to -15°C. The unique design of Tesla's door handles, which sit flush with the car's body and pop up when in use, made it impossible for Modestino to manually open the door. However, she later discovered that by updating the Tesla app on her phone, she was able to manually open the latch.
Another Tesla owner in Chicago shared a similar experience on Christmas Eve when the freezing temperatures prevented his car from charging. The polar air that has swept across the US has caused temperatures to drop as low as -16°C, leaving many electric cars struggling to function. In Virginia, TikTok user Domenick Nati shared a video of his Tesla's dashboard showing a temperature of -7°C and only 19 miles remaining until the battery dies. Despite his attempts to charge the car at a nearby station, the vehicle's screen displayed a message stating "Battery is heating - keep charge cable inserted" for hours with no change.
This issue is not limited to just Tesla cars, as even traditional petrol and diesel cars face challenges in extreme cold weather. In 2022, Tesla owners in Hertfordshire, UK, faced long wait times at charging stations during Christmas. Despite the difficulties faced by electric cars in the cold, they are still a much better option for the environment, producing fewer harmful emissions and pollutants than traditional cars.
In conclusion, the recent deep freeze in Chicago has highlighted the challenges that electric cars face in extreme cold weather. Despite the criticism and issues faced by Tesla owners, it is important to remember the positive impact that electric cars have on the environment. And let's not forget, frozen door handles can happen to any car, regardless of its fuel source.
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