Every EV loses range in the cold, and Teslas are no exception. Here is how much to expect, and the habits that claw back the most.

How big is the hit?

AAA's latest lab study, published in May 2026, tested a 2025 Model Y Long Range RWD on a climate-controlled dynamometer. At 75°F its calculated range was 297.7 miles. At 20°F it fell to 157.7 miles, a 47% drop, and efficiency fell from 113.7 MPGe to 61.7. AAA found the Model Y had the strongest cold sensitivity of the three EVs it tested; across all three, range fell 39% at 20°F.

Two caveats. This was a lab test starting from a cold-soaked car, which is close to a worst case for short trips. And AAA's 2019 study of five EVs found a similar 41% average loss at 20°F with the heater running, so this is not new: cold batteries are less efficient, and heating the battery and cabin takes energy.

The cost penalty is smaller than it sounds if you charge at home. AAA calculated the Model Y's energy cost rising from $51.73 to $95.29 per 1,000 miles at residential electricity rates, but from $123.91 to $228.27 at commercial charging rates.

1. Schedule preconditioning, and stay plugged in

Use Controls > Schedule (or the Tesla app) to set a departure time. Tesla's manual says the car then calculates when to start so both the battery and cabin are ready on time. If you don't schedule it, the car only warms the battery when it's too cold to charge, and doesn't prepare the cabin. Doing this while plugged in means the energy comes from the wall, not your battery, which AAA also recommends.

2. Let charging finish right before you leave

Tesla recommends setting an "End by" time that matches your departure, even if you don't have off-peak rates. If charging finishes hours early, the battery cools back down and needs energy to warm up again.

One limit: Tesla says charging schedules are ignored at fast chargers, including Superchargers.

3. Use the heat pump to your advantage

On cars with a heat pump, Tesla says a preconditioned battery can help warm the cabin while driving, reducing energy use. Seat and steering-wheel heaters, where fitted, warm you directly rather than heating all the air in the cabin.

4. Mind Low Power Mode

Unplugged preconditioning works only when the car isn't in Low Power Mode, per Tesla's manual.

5. Winter maintenance Tesla actually recommends

  • Salted roads? Clean and lubricate the brake calipers every year or 12,500 miles.
  • Use the friction brakes now and then. Regenerative braking means pads see little use; Tesla recommends pressing the brake pedal frequently to dry pads and rotors and limit rust.
  • Clean the cameras weekly in wet weather, monthly when dry.
  • Daily checks: tire condition and pressure, lights, wipers and washers.
  • Wiper blades yearly and washer fluid topped up monthly.

Bottom line: plan for meaningfully less range on the coldest days, especially on short trips, and let the car do its warming while it's still plugged in.