A Look at Tesla's Battery Longevity in Different Climates: Insights from Recent Study

September 20, 2023

By Kevin Armstrong

Study shows that Tesla batteries have increased longevity in colder climates

Recurrent

If you live in a cooler climate, you've probably heard Teslas aren't good in the winter. Turns out they are better in the cold! A recent study by Recurrent titled "Climate Zone Effect on Tesla Battery Range" brings to light key data that could guide both potential and existing Tesla owners in maximizing their vehicle's performance and longevity.

Central to this study is the "Range Score," an innovative metric that summarizes the existing percentage of a vehicle's original battery range. In simpler terms, a Tesla with a Range Score of 90 can deliver 90% of the battery range it initially offered. This score is especially noteworthy for being based on the observed range when new, as opposed to the often inaccurate EPA range.

Climate Impacts on Tesla's Battery Performance

Leveraging the climate zone classifications outlined by the US Department of Energy, the study paints a detailed picture of how Teslas fare in different climates. The research shows that 2020 Tesla Model Ys in cold and marine environments boast a slightly higher average Range Score, around 95, compared to those in hot climates, about 92. Though the difference might seem marginal, it signals a broader trend that could interest potential buyers and existing owners.

Tips to Shield Your Tesla's Battery from Climate Effects

Study shows that Tesla batteries have increased longevity in colder climates

Recurrent

The study brings forward encouraging news for Tesla enthusiasts residing in hot regions. You can enhance your vehicle's battery life by adopting simple yet effective strategies like parking in cool, shaded areas and avoiding a full battery charge. Considering an LFP battery for new purchases could also be a game-changer, given its high-temperature resilience.

Tesla owners in colder regions have less to worry about, as the drop in range during cold periods is temporary. As the warmer season rolls in, the vehicle naturally regains its original performance level, saving it from long-term battery damage.

Empowering Buyers and Owners with Actionable Insights

Recurrent empowers buyers and owners by integrating this climate-focused data into their Verified Reports, offering detailed insights into each vehicle's history. For those in the market for a Tesla, these reports can be a valuable tool in gauging a vehicle's true potential and past maintenance.

If you are wondering why the researcher who authored the study picked Tesla, it wasn't just to get the headlines. Because there are more Teslas on the road than any other EV, the company provides the most data - it wasn't just to pick on one manufacturer. Recurrent also released its findings from a Supercharger study a few weeks ago.

The "Climate Zone Effect on Tesla Battery Range" study by Recurrent sheds light on how different climates affect Tesla's battery life and equips owners with the knowledge to get the most out of their battery.

Tesla Increases Price of Model S; Starts Offering Free Lifetime Supercharging

December 14, 2024

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

For the first time in quite a while, Tesla has increased the price of one of its vehicle offerings. The Model S Long Range and the Model S Plaid have both received a hefty price increase. However, not all is bad - as Tesla also added a new benefit for buyers.

Price Increase

The price increase for the Model S is $5,000 - currently only in the United States. This price increase will likely impact other markets, including Canada, in the coming days.

The Model S Long Range now starts at $79,990, while the Model S Plaid now starts at $94,990. The Model S and Model X now have the same starting price. Interestingly, that’s also the same pricing point for the Cybertruck AWD and Cyberbeast Trimotor non-Foundation Series.

The vehicle configuration does not appear to have changed, so the new pricing is simply an increase rather than the addition or removal of features. Tesla previously cut the price of the Model S and Model X by 15% in 2023, so this could simply be an adjustment to ensure that the vehicle pricing stays in line with inflation and other factors.

Free Lifetime Supercharging

For those on the fence about ordering a Model S, Tesla has brought back Free Lifetime Supercharging when you order a new Model S on or after December 13, 2024. As always, Free Lifetime Supercharging is restricted to the buyer’s Tesla account and to that specific vehicle. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle or another owner after ownership transfer. It’s worth noting, that it also doesn’t exclude the owner from receiving Supercharger idle fees or congestion fees. There is currently no end date for this promotion.

There are currently no changes to the Model X, neither a price increase nor the addition of Lifetime Superchargering. However, when Tesla makes changes to one of their premium vehicles, it usually affects the other one as well. So be on the lookout for potential changes to the Model X offering in the coming days.

We’ve seen Tesla value Lifetime Supercharging at $5,000, so this falls in line with the price increase we’re seeing. It’s possible that Tesla will begin to bring back Lifetime Supercharging as a perk for buying into their more premium Model S and Model X cars, or this could be another temporary promotion to get buyers who are on the fence to go ahead and make their purchase while this promotion lasts.

Tesla’s Optimus Robot Learns to Walk Without Vision [VIDEO]

December 13, 2024

By Karan Singh

Optimus Falls - but catches itself!

Not a Tesla App

Tesla recently showed off a demo of Optimus, its humanoid robot, walking around in moderately challenging terrain—not on a flat surface but on dirt and slopes. These things can be difficult for a humanoid robot, especially during the training cycle.

Daily walks help clear your mind pic.twitter.com/dUsW58trS6
— Tesla Optimus (@Tesla_Optimus) December 9, 2024

A Look Behind the Curtain

Most interestingly, Milan Kovac, VP of Engineering for Optimus, clarified what it takes to get Optimus to this stage. Let’s break down what he said.

Optimus is Blind

Optimus is getting seriously good at walking now - it can keep its balance over uneven ground - even while walking blind. Tesla is currently using just the sensors, all powered by a neural net running on the embedded computer.

Essentially, Tesla is building Optimus from the ground up, relying on as much additional data as possible while it trains vision. This is similar to how they train FSD on vehicles, using LiDAR rigs to validate the vision system’s accuracy. While Optimus doesn’t have LiDAR, it relies on all those other sensors on board, many of which will likely become simplified as vision takes over as the primary sensor.

Today, Optimus is walking blind, but it’s able to react almost instantly to changes in the terrain underneath it, even if it falls or slips.

What’s Next?

Next up, Tesla AI will be adding vision to Optimus - helping complete the neural net. Remember, Optimus runs on the same overall AI stack as FSD - in fact, Optimus uses an FSD computer and an offshoot of the FSD stack for vision-based tasks.

Milan mentions they’re planning on adding vision to help the robot plan ahead and improve its walking gait. While the zombie shuffle is iconic and a little bit amusing, getting humanoid robots to walk like humans is actually difficult.

There’s plenty more, too - including better responsiveness to velocity and direction commands and learning to fall and stand back up. Falling while protecting yourself to minimize damage is something natural to humans - but not exactly natural to something like a robot. Training it to do so is essential in keeping the robot, the environment around it, and the people it is interacting with safe.

We’re excited to see what’s coming with Optimus next because it is already getting started in some fashion in Tesla’s factories.