Winter can be brutal, but for Canadian YouTuber FrozenTesla, it became the perfect laboratory. On one of the coldest nights of the season—temperatures plunging to a bone-chilling −37 °C—he decided to see just how resilient a 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range All-Wheel Drive could be when it came to keeping passengers warm while stranded.
The experiment was straightforward but telling. FrozenTesla parked his Model 3 outside around 11 p.m. with an 80 percent battery charge, activated Camping Mode, and set the cabin HVAC system to a modest 60 °F. While not exactly tropical, the temperature would be sufficient to stave off frostbite over an extended night outdoors.
Over the next 12 hours, the Model 3 quietly battled the Arctic chill. After nine hours, the battery had dropped 30 percent. By the end of the test, the state of charge read 40 percent—meaning the car used roughly 40 percent of its battery simply to keep the interior habitable. Remarkably, the vehicle’s systems continued to function normally: the trunk opened, the windows operated without issue, and even the charging port cover didn’t seize in the extreme cold.
When the test concluded, FrozenTesla brought the car inside to recharge. Restoring the battery to 80 percent required 36 kWh of energy—roughly 3 kWh per hour—translating to a cost of $6.80 at the average U.S. electricity rate of $0.189/kWh. In practical terms, the Model 3 consumed about 3.33 percent of its battery per hour to maintain warmth. That means a driver with just 30 percent of charge could expect up to nine hours of cabin heat before running out of power—but six to seven hours would be a safer window to preserve enough energy to reach a charger or home.
FrozenTesla’s experiment is more than a YouTube stunt; it’s a revealing look at what electric vehicles can offer in extreme conditions. While most EV owners might not face sub-zero temperatures this severe, the test underscores that modern Teslas can handle both climate control and functionality even in a harsh winter freeze—making them surprisingly practical for cold-weather adventures.
Source: Frozen Tesla via YouTube