Tesla created secret team to suppress driving range complaints (2023)

The reality is there is lots of range loss when using the cabin heater, which obviously one is most likely to do when cold. All modern Tesla's use heat pumps for cabin heating, which ~halves the range loss, but it's still substantial.

Re: Tesla created secret team to suppress driving range complaints (2023)

#6

Post by darth_avocado » Sun, Mar 09, 2025, 11:56 PM UTC

Tesla advertises 350+ miles on its cars. I’d bet money that the cars can’t do 300 in normal weather, normal driving conditions without the AC/heater on, on a straight road with no elevation gain.

These are the things they blame when they say EPA estimates are different becase blah blah…

(I own a Tesla)

Re: Tesla created secret team to suppress driving range complaints (2023)

#7

Post by infinghxsg » Sun, Mar 09, 2025, 11:57 PM UTC

darth_avocado wrote: post #6

Tesla advertises 350+ miles on its cars. I’d bet money that the cars can’t do 300 in normal weather, normal driving conditions without the AC/heater on, on a straight road with no elevation gain. These are the things they blame when they say EPA estimates are different becase blah blah… (I own a Tesla)

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Re: Tesla created secret team to suppress driving range complaints (2023)

#8

Post by jfengel » Sun, Mar 09, 2025, 11:59 PM UTC

londons_explore wrote: post #5

The article really focusses on range loss when cold, but as far as I can see that isn't really true. The reality is there is lots of range loss when using the cabin heater, which obviously one is most likely to do when cold. All modern Tesla's use heat pumps for cabin heating, which ~halves the range loss, but it's still substantial.

Does the heater really use all that much energy? A home space heater is something on the order of 1 kW, which is a fraction of a percent of what is needed to move the car.

Re: Tesla created secret team to suppress driving range complaints (2023)

#9

Post by jfengel » Mon, Mar 10, 2025, 12:01 AM UTC

techpineapple wrote: post #3

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It feels less like "horseshoe theory" to me, and more like projection: accuse your opponents of doing the things you do. Your supporters believe it because that's what they want to do so you must want it too.

The horseshoe theory can at least be honest, albeit ironic. This is just plain deceit and manipulation.

Re: Tesla created secret team to suppress driving range complaints (2023)

#10

Post by sashank_1509 » Mon, Mar 10, 2025, 12:01 AM UTC

I have a model 3 (from 2023), that is rated 270 miles. I can get at max 120 miles, more like 90 miles from it. My drive to work involves going steeply uphill, not very cold. The only reason I don’t care is I have free office charging. If I didn’t I would be pissed by the range I observe.

Also Tesla servicing is famously bad, and the way the employees treat service requests (as described in the article) explains a lot