Canadian man tries hypermiling a Tesla Model 3 LR in extremely cold temperatures to see if it's worth it

A Canadian driver pushed his Tesla Model 3 to the limit to see if hypermiling could actually preserve the battery range of the Highland refresh during a week of extreme cold.

The experiment involved a standard 41-mile daily commute in Saskatchewan, where the thermometer bottomed out at a brutal -32°C.

By tracking every kilowatt used for heating and propulsion, the driver gathered specific data on how much energy is lost when the car sits in a frozen lot for eight hours.

The final results reveal a clear picture of whether these aggressive driving tactics actually make a difference when the environment is working against the hardware.

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Testing the Tesla Model 3 against deep freeze

The initial leg of the trip focused on how much the battery range improves when the driver prioritizes energy conservation over cabin comfort.

By setting the Tesla Model 3 climate control to 15.5°C and maintaining the exact speed limit, the driver achieved a consumption rate of 242 Wh/km.

He utilized drafting behind larger vehicles on the highway to reduce the impact of the dense, frozen air on the Highland refresh’s aerodynamics.

These efforts resulted in the EV arriving at its destination with 78.2% battery, performing slightly better than the original trip projection.

Such results confirm that driver input remains a factor in managing energy when extreme cold increases physical resistance.

The second phase of the test involved leaving the Highland refresh unplugged for eight hours in an open parking lot.

This allowed the battery temperature to drop to -15°C, triggering a snowflake icon on the display to signal a temporary loss of available battery range.

Before departing, the Tesla Model 3 required a 10-minute preconditioning cycle that drew 8 kW of power to defrost the glass and warm the internal cells.

The total energy used for the 41-mile day reached 20.7 kWh, which equates to roughly $3.30 in local electricity costs.

While the financial cost remains low, the car must divert significant power toward thermal stability in these conditions.

Highland refresh tech battling the elements

The Highland refresh utilizes an integrated heat pump system to manage heat distribution across the powertrain more effectively than previous generations.

Throughout the return drive, the Tesla Model 3 actively moved energy into the battery pack until the internal temperature rose to 4°C.

This constant heating process meant the car consumed nearly double the energy per kilometer compared to a standard summer drive.

The test data shows that the car remained fully responsive and functional in extreme cold, even though the heating requirements inevitably shortened the total battery range.

The vehicle handled the icy terrain without mechanical difficulty, focusing energy on maintaining its own chemistry.

The final figures suggest that while hypermiling techniques provide a measurable benefit, the ambient temperature is the primary driver of consumption.

The Tesla Model 3 maintained its reliability and cabin integrity throughout the -32°C environment.

Owners of the Highland refresh can optimize their winter experience by preconditioning while the vehicle is still connected to a charger.

This practice preserves the energy stored in the battery for driving rather than using it to reach operating temperatures.

As cold-weather technology continues to evolve, these tests provide a baseline for the efficiency expectations of modern electric vehicles in the northern hemisphere.

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