Tesla Model S has broken the winter range record in a new wide-range cold weather range test conducted in Norway.
For years, Norway has been conducting extensive range and efficiency tests in cold climates, which is a concern for many potential EV buyers who live in regions with harsh winters.
This year’s test was the most extensive to date with 29 different EV models.
The Tesla Model S stole the show this year.
After not being sold in Europe for almost two years following a design update, the Model S joined the winter range test and did phenomenally.
Testing was done on this circuit between Oslo and Hjerkinn at temperatures between -5C and -10C (through Norway motor.no):
Finishing at 530 km (329 miles), just 16.40% below its advertised WLTP range of 634 km, the Model S is the only vehicle on the list to exceed 450 km (280 miles).
This is much better than most other vehicles tested, which had their range affected closer to 20-30% by cold weather.
The Mercedes EQE 300 is the closest competitor to the Tesla Model S that was tested, seeing a massive 33% deviation from its advertised range.
Here are all the results for each EV model tested in the winter range test:
| Model | WLTP range | range reached | Percent deviation, range | 500 km: consumption-battery-km remaining | 450 km: consumption-battery-km remaining | 400 km: consumption-battery-km remaining | 350 km: consumption-battery-km remaining | 300 km: consumption-battery-km remaining |
| Tesla Model S standard | 634 | 530 | −16.40% | 17.3 2 15 | 18 8 49 | 17.7 18 111 | 18.3 26 158 | 17.2 40 241 |
| Mercedes EQE 300 | 614 | 409 | −33.39% | 21.6 0 0 | 22.4 4 25 | 20.9 24 132 | ||
| BMW i7 xDrive60 | 595 | 424 | −28.74% | 23.5 1 6 | 24.5 10 36 | 22.9 29 121 | ||
| NINE ET7 | 580 | 434 | −25.17% | 22.7 8 37 | 24.8 18 83 | 20.3 35 117 | ||
| BMW i4 eDrive40 | 565 | 434 | −23.19% | 18.6 4 18 | 18.9 15 44 | 17.9 31 122 | ||
| Tesla Model X Plaid | 543 | 444 | −18.23% | 20.9 9 45 | 21.1 20 98 | 19.8 36 181 | ||
| Nissan Ariya 2WD | 533 | 400 | −24.95% | 20.1 10 37 | 18.8 30 119 | |||
| Volkswagen ID.5 Pro | 526 | 378 | −28.14% | 20.2 4 14 | 19.7 21 80 | |||
| offer have | 521 | 406 | −22.07% | 20.1 1 3 | 20.7 11 55 | 19 29 149 | ||
| Hongqi E-HS9 prototype 120 kWt | 515 | 389 | −24.47% | 28.1 7 23 | 26.7 24 96 | |||
| Skoda Enyaq Coupe RS | 510 | 338 | −33.73% | 21.1 13 46 | ||||
| Toyota BZ4X 2WD | 503 | 323 | −35.79% | 19.1 3 0 | ||||
| free ride | 501 | 391 | −21.96% | 26.4 7 14 | 25.0 26 68 | |||
| Hongqi E-HS9 | 465 | 303 | −34.84% | 29 0 0 | ||||
| kia niro electric | 460 | 343 | −25.43% | 17.6 19 54 | ||||
| Tesla Model Y 2WD | 455 | 337 | −25.93% | 16.9 11 42 | ||||
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 4WD | 454 | 3. 4. 5 | −24.01% | 20.1 18 56 | ||||
| Mercedes EQB 250 | 452 | 334 | −26.11% | 19.2 11 37 | ||||
| MG ZS LR | 440 | 352 | -20.00% | 18.2 2 6 | 18.7 18 45 | |||
| JAC e-JS4 | 433 | 323 | −25.40% | 12.6 5 – | ||||
| BMW iX1 | 428 | 337 | −21.26% | 18.3 8 27 | ||||
| Renault Megane | 428 | 318 | −25.70% | 18.1 1 0 | ||||
| mg 4 | 425 | 338 | −20.47% | 17.7 14 38 | ||||
| Kia EV6GT | 424 | 349 | −17.69% | 20.8 17 50 | ||||
| BYD Atto 3 | 420 | 311 | −25.95% | 19.6 4 15 | ||||
| Volkswagen id buzz | 408 | 310 | −24.02% | 24.8 0 0 | ||||
| mg 5 | 380 | 313 | −17.63% | 18.3 2 3 | ||||
| MG marvel R | 370 | 308 | −16.76% | 21.7 4 – | ||||
| maxus euniq6 | 354 | 317 | −10.45% | 21.1 4 17 |
The taking of EVM
The results of these tests came at a good time for people in Northeast North America, as we expect a massive cold front here in the next few days.
The results are what you should probably expect -5C to -10C (14F), but this weekend we will be experiencing -33C where I am in Shawinigan, Quebec. That’s -24F.
In these extremely cold temperatures, you can expect close to a 40% drop in range, even in the latest Tesla Model S. But that’s not just a matter of electric vehicles. All cars are less efficient in extremely cold conditions.
Be careful this weekend. Freezing is a real thing.