Yes winter does affect hybrid and electric car batteries

In case you aren't aware, a car writer for the NY Times decided to drive a Telsa Model S (all electric with claims of 260-mile range) from DC to Boston. He wrote in his article that the car couldn't make it and had to be flat bedded to the end. Telsa has two charging stations along the route (DE and CT) that can charge the car in one-hour. Telsa provided instructions (keep the speed at 55, heat below 72) and did a data dump to allegedly prove the reporter wrong (took detours, sped, drove in circles at one charging station parking lot and didn't fully charge the car). Reporter denies it and that he followed their instructions exactly. Well, CNN took the challenge and was able to make it in one day. They got to the last charge station with 40 miles of range to spare. They supposedly put cruise control on 65 and heat on 72. The paper initially is standing behind its reporter, but that was before CNN was able to make it. Granted, it was about 10 degrees warmer for the CNN test, and the NYT reporter did it in two days, so maybe some of that colder weather did zap the battery overnight. Just do a news search for Telsa. It's everywhere. Big boys with bigger egos.

Okay, so here's some Porsche content, wonder if the new 918 will provide as much controversy over e-performance claims? It's gonna get nasty out there.

[www.telseygroup.com]
Dana Telsey, retail financial analyst.

On my Prius you can see about a 5% effect. And how/when you turn on the heater/defroster matters.

The Tesla has a multi page do's and don't list of how you should drive it. You can't just drive it, can't refuel to 100% in 15 minutes, can't find refuel about every 10 miles, etc like a hybrid, gas or diesel car. There are restrictions.

And Consumer Reports did a winter test at 45 degrees F and got 176 miles. Tesla says 300, EPA 240, computer said 188 predicted. Park the car overnight without charging and you lose range. Last time I did that someone was siphoning gas out of my tank.

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