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YES, a Tesla's range will decrease in the winter, because all EV batteries are affected by extreme temperatures.
Although lithium ion battery chemistry plays a part in this winter range loss, it is mostly due to the use of heat to keep the driver and passengers warm in the winter. In nearly all EVs, the energy for heating and cooling is supplied by the high voltage battery.
But What About Tesla?
Even though Teslas do have winter range loss, they are a special case. Tesla’s dashboard display often does not reflect the true effect that temperature has on range. This is because unlike many other EVs, Tesla calculates its dashboard range by using a fixed efficiency value, rather than using a dynamic value based on external factors.
Recurrent works to determine more accurate range predictions in hot and cold weather based on actual, real-world range values.
Are Teslas Different?
To see how Tesla is different than many other EV brands, look at the way Chevrolet Bolt EV’s dashboard range changes with temperature.
Now, look at the way Tesla’s Model Y dashboard range changes with temperature.
Notice the difference? While the dashboard range on the Bolt tracks with the observed range, the Tesla Model Y dashboard range stays nearly constant, despite the changes to observed range. Read more about “Tesla Real Range," which is a Recurrent-calculated value that captures how temperature affects the range of an average Tesla.
