A Tesla owner pushed their car to its limits to see how it charges in extremely cold conditions.
YouTuber Out of Spec Reviews took a 2019 Model 3 to Colorado, left it in sub-freezing temperatures for two days, and then plugged it into a Supercharger.
In harsh negative temperatures, the car simply cannot provide battery regeneration when driven in a parking lot before charging. Then the first charger they tried was frozen and wouldn’t lock.
Once they found a working charger, they realized it was focusing all its energy on thawing the frozen battery.
It took a full 45 minutes and 4 kilowatt hours of waste heat for the battery to thaw enough to charge, at which point it began receiving 23 kilowatts of power.
After that, the process accelerated and the car charged faster; after 1 hour and 15 minutes, the battery was charged to 70%, and after charging to 90%, everything was normal.
The test demonstrates the durability of modern electric vehicles, even in the coldest temperatures. It may take longer than usual and require some planning, but the Tesla Model 3 appears to be able to handle tougher conditions.
This is yet another example of how electric cars can take on gas-guzzlers, despite misinformation to the contrary. Converting your next car to an electric one ensures that one less car on the road spews planet-warming gases that linger in the atmosphere and worsen air quality.
The video is also a boost for Tesla, which has seen sales slump in 2025 amid protests against CEO Elon Musk.
Charging at home is a great way to prepare your car for challenging outdoor conditions, while also saving you significant fuel costs compared to relying on public chargers.
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Commenters were shocked at how well the Tesla charged in the cold and praised the video.
“You guys rock and roll,” one said. “Your video is so informative, it’s ridiculous.”
“Oh my god,” said another. “The best electric car channel.”
“What a dedication,” said a third. “The real world information you provide is fantastic!”
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