Man takes his Tesla Model Y Performance on a freezing winter road trip to show how it handles the difficult conditions

Testing a Tesla Model Y on a 500-kilometer Norway road trip reveals the gritty reality of winter performance when the mercury drops well below freezing.

The route from Bergen to Oslo forces the 2025 Performance model to climb through steep mountain passes while carrying a full load of skis, snowboards, and a large dog crate.

Every kilowatt of energy is put to the test as the vehicle navigates icy roads and sub-zero air in the world’s most advanced electric vehicle market.

While the technical spec sheet suggests one outcome, the actual data gathered from this frozen trek tells a far more nuanced story about long-distance travel in the cold.

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Tesla Model Y mountain charging battle

The 519-kilometer journey resulted in a total energy consumption of 112kWh, averaging 216Wh/km across the entire route.

This figure represents a clear increase over standard seasonal averages, influenced by the rolling resistance of snow and the consistent use of the cabin heater.

During the Norway road trip, the vehicle stopped twice for charging to ensure it reached the capital with a comfortable margin.

The first stop at a Version 3.5 Supercharger saw the Tesla Model Y peak at 123kW, a speed likely tempered by the cold battery state upon arrival at the station.

Despite the lower initial rate, the car added 26kWh of energy in 19 minutes, which allowed the drive to continue without significant delay.

The charging experience improved during the second stop as the battery temperature reached an optimal state after several hours of operation.

The Tesla Model Y hit a peak charging speed of 189kW, demonstrating a more efficient curve after the physical exertion of mountain driving.

These stops confirm that while the winter performance of the battery varies with ambient temperature, the regional charging network is robust enough to support heavy winter use.

The car remained stable on 21-inch winter tires throughout the mountain passes, providing necessary traction on the slippery road surfaces encountered on this Norway road trip.

While these larger wheels contribute to higher energy consumption, the stability they offer in deep slush is a worthwhile trade-off for most drivers.

Fighting the freeze with smart tech

The winter performance of the 2025 model relies heavily on its integrated thermal management and automated software suite.

The Tesla Model Y preconditions the battery automatically when a Supercharger is set as the destination, a process that helps maintain faster charging speeds despite the external chill.

On this Norway road trip, the onboard range estimates remained accurate even as the elevation changed and the temperatures continued to fall.

Drivers in cold climates benefit from these predictable data points when planning travel across remote or mountainous areas.

The vehicle also maintained a consistent cabin temperature throughout the drive, utilizing the heat pump to manage energy use effectively.

Final observations from the Bergen-to-Oslo run suggest that the range penalty of winter remains a primary factor for long-distance EV travel.

The Tesla Model Y is efficient for its class, but the physical reality of sub-zero air and snow-covered roads increases the total energy required to complete the trip.

However, the consistent performance of the charging hardware and the accuracy of the software make the winter performance predictable for everyday users.

For those operating in northern regions, a Norway road trip in an electric vehicle is now a standard undertaking rather than a specialized challenge.

The 2025 Tesla Model Y proves capable of maintaining a high pace through difficult terrain, provided the driver accounts for the increased consumption in their route planning.

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