Consumer Reports initial test of Model S in winter chills

Finally a less biased agency testing this scrap... I still don't see what the big deal is about this car, its not a car the general public has access to (based on avg. income)... so why even bother going this in-depth for a "luxury" item?

 

eh, true... Although the Tesla they tested is the 100+k model.

 

phvdriv3r, Tesla's next sedan is targeting a very affordable $30K price point, at 200,000 units a year. The first two models are building blocks to get to the this goal, proving out the technology, assembling the teams, building the infrastructure, and educating the customers.

 

It is clear now. When reading a gas gauge nearly all reporters respects the letter "E" as something to avoid. When reading a charge gauge some reporters considers "E" to mean don't recharge before reaching this letter.

The report is honest in that the laws of physics have yet again been proven to exist. The insane practice of driving on "E" as an acceptable test is what is destructive. I would have had no issue if he stated he needed to recharge after only driving 150 miles or some other range with a safety margin left. I have a big problem with testing the safety features of a car by actually tempting them. Remember, he is on a public road with you and me as his victims if he loses power at a critical juncture.....and he has intentionally set himself up so that he is likely to lose power.

 

lost half it's range parking in the cold? and that's with a brand new battery. wonder how much range it loses under the same conditions when the battery is 2 years old?

 

BS! stop with the FUD! He lost 5% of SOC overnight, from 35% -> 30%.

My bad, I thought you were talking about the NYT article.

Tesla says 300 miles in optimal conditions.

 

300 touted by Tesla

the Model S delivered 176 miles from a full charge in cold weather.

lost 42% of range. and I would bet substantially more with a 2 year old battery.

 

Spinnaker87, increased energy consumption/mile in the cold is not the same as energy loss from the battery overnight.

 

Incorrect, their cost $90,000.

 

Tax ?

 

Incorrect once again, and misleading. The EPA based Range show was 240. The estimated range was 188. They got 176, so with the cold soak overnight they lost 12 miles from the range or about 7%.

This is pretty similar to what I have experienced as well. So yes, cold temperatures will affect the efficiency and therefore range. No, it is not a permanent drain on the capacity of the batteries.

 

Well, since the reference was to the "100+k model" I did not take that to include tax. Although if you are going to include tax, should you also include tax rebate?

 

I would simply specify. E.g "105k USD out the door before tax credit."

 

IMHO, CR has been pretty much supportive of the EV concept...so this is kind and gentle analysis (45 deg F is chilly? - I play golf down to 38 deg F without a jacket - OK with a jacket and a sweater - OK I don't really play golf anymore, but that's my old rule).

 

Golf in short sleeves yesterday, snowing out my window today. A car has to go in varying conditions. Gas, diesels, and hybrids don't lose 50% of their range or ask you to turn down the heater or drive slower (though winter and heater/defroster use will cost you maybe 5% in a hybrid).

 

pip loses about 25% of capacity in cold weather. that's the extreme ends of the temp range i've seen, 98f down to 9f. i'm sure tesla is somewhat different, perhaps better. it's not the cold soak as much as the operating. plus, cabin heat comes into play with the tesla, altho, he only mentioned it in passing and gave no specifics of cabin temp. i thought it was a fair and objective article.

 

per the article.

I noticed that 100 miles got slashed from my "rated" range, showing 140 miles left. after a seven-hour overnight park (unplugged) and temperatures dropping below freezing, the "rated" range dropped to 65 miles

so it went from 140 miles to 65 miles overnight.. not good and shows why the Tesla needs to be plugged in overnight.

 

and I might add this range loss will be a lot worse with 2 year old batteries. not brand spanking new ones that CR was testing.