Tesla Model S Beats Several Expensive Rivals In Winter Range Test

It may be more than a decade old, but the Tesla Model S is still impressive, with one example breaking a cold weather range record, reports Norway's Motor.

The test was conducted on a loop between Oslo and Hjerkinn, with vehicles exposed to temperatures between 14 and 23 degrees Fahrenheit. Pitted against 29 different EVs, the Model S sailed ahead of the rest and managed to cover 329 miles (530 km) in cold weather.

On the WLTP cycle, Tesla claims the Model S can travel 394 miles (634 km) on a single charge. While it fell short of its claimed figure by 16.4%, it's still remarkable considering the conditions. A study found that, in cold weather, electric vehicles could lose up to half their range.

Other luxury vehicles, including the BMW i7 xDrive60 and Mercedes EQE 300, didn't quite manage to match the Tesla. The EQE 300, which has a claimed WLTP range of 381 miles (614 km), lost a staggering 33.39% of its range and covered just 254 miles (409 km).

Vehicles with less impressive claimed range figures fared better than the Mercedes-EQ. The i7 traveled 263 miles (424 km) even though its WLTP range pegs the big Bimmer at 370 miles (595 km). The electric 7 Series fell short of its claimed range by 28.74%.

The smaller BMW i4 eDrive40 went 6.2 miles (10 km) further than the i7, despite having a lesser claimed range of 351 miles (565 km). It's worth noting it also beats the more expensive EQE sedan. Percentage-wise, the i4 fell short of its claimed figure by 23.19%.

The Model S isn't the most efficient in cold weather, though. Despite coming in dead last, the Chinese Maxus Euniq 6 came closest to matching its claimed WLTP range of 220 miles (354 km). It covered 197 miles (317 km) in the cold weather test.

It's the Toyota bZ4X 2WD that finished furthest away from its estimated range figure. The automaker claims its first modern electric vehicle can travel 312 miles (503 km) but just breached the 200-mile mark, finishing at 201 miles (323 km). That represents a staggering 35.79% difference between the WLTP figure and real-world use. This isn't the first time we've heard of the electric Toyota falling short of range claims.

In the United States, the bZ4X recently returned to the market after Toyota paused sales due to a recall.

The Tesla Model X Plaid also performed well, considering its heft and performance. The 1,020-horsepower electric SUV covered 276 miles (444 km) in the chilly temperatures. Under WLTP standards, Tesla claims the high-performance Model X can travel 337 miles (543 km). The Plaid saw a loss of 18.23% due to the unique test conditions.

The Texas-based automaker recently previewed its cold-weather testing regime, demonstrating how safety and handling changes can be made with data gleaned from these exercises. We're guessing the company also used the opportunity to improve vehicle range in freezing temperatures.

Interestingly, the automaker was fined for exaggerating cold weather range claims in South Korea. The Korea Fair Trade Commission alleged that the automaker was providing misguided information to consumers.