On social media, viewers stunned as viral video shows man deep-freezing Tesla Model 3 before supercharging.
A YouTuber conducted an intriguing experiment with his Tesla Model 3 in freezing conditions to test its supercharging capabilities.
Man deep freezes Tesla Model 3 before supercharging
On social media, the footage showed the YouTuber testing supercharging challenges in extreme cold, which gained attention.
The YouTuber parked his Tesla Model 3 in a lot for two days at -14°F. He wanted to see how the vehicle would perform when immediately plugged into a supercharger.
He said: “I think it’s frozen, I don’t think it’s gonna latch, yeah that is a non-latching situation right there.”
The video, uploaded to the “Out of Spec Reviews” YouTube channel, aimed to answer a key question: what happens when you try to supercharge a frozen battery pack?
When attempting to connect the charger, the YouTuber faced issues. “I think it’s frozen; it’s not latching,” he explained.
He added: “Another completely Frozen cable, went in nicely this time. Wow, I feel like I’m gonna get frostbite just touching that thing, come on latch. Wow, these things are not latching at all, it’s just so cold.
“Will it start charging? I don’t know, let’s see what the car says on the inside, let’s take a look, it’s definitely in, it says supercharging.”
After moving to another charger, the cable finally latched. However, the car didn’t begin charging immediately. For 45 minutes, the Tesla appeared to do nothing.
The Tesla was using its battery power to warm up the frozen battery pack before starting to charge effectively.
This process significantly delayed the supercharging time.
Viewer reactions to the experiment
The YouTube comment section was filled with reactions, ranging from frustration to humor.
One commenter lamented the long wait time: It would kill me to wait an hour in the cold to charge my car. I’ll stick to gas for now.
Another user shared a tip: Turn on the cabin heater while charging. It helps warm the battery faster by utilizing the charger’s power.
A third user joked: Park next to an EV that’s on fire. Works every time to warm up the battery!.
Someone else said: Damn, that’s gonna increase the queues at the superchargers in the cities on a cold winter morning.
Another added: Running the cabin heater would aid in warming the battery because the rest of the frame of the car would warm the battery some. It’s really important to do all the heating you can.
Lessons for EV owners in cold climates
This experiment highlights the challenges of supercharging electric vehicles in freezing temperatures.
Owners should prepare for longer charging times in extreme cold and consider pre-warming their cars before plugging in.
As EV technology advances, manufacturers may address these cold-weather limitations, making electric vehicles even more reliable in harsh climates.
For now, understanding these quirks can help drivers plan better and adapt to their vehicle’s needs.