The Chicago Deep Freeze has created a “Tesla Graveyard”

Guest Essay by Eric Worrall

Editor’s Note: This is a brief guest essay covering the recent stranding of Tesla models and other electric vehicles due to a recent cold snap in the Chicagoland area, creating a “Tesla Graveyard.” Climate Realism has pointed out that electric vehicles, and apparently their charging infrastructure, struggle in very cold conditions, here and here. 

h/t MGUY; “We got a bunch of dead robots out here”: Drivers are complaining Tesla is not responding to complaints, despite being stuck for days in the Chicago Supercharger “Tesla Graveyard”.

The problem appears to be the Teslas are not charging, even when they are connected to a working charger.

Fox claims an automobile expert advised drivers to hit the “battery precondition” button on the vehicle before attempting to charge in extreme cold, but surely even if the driver forgets, the battery manager would sense the cold, and optimise the battery temperature without human intervention when plugged in?

The issue with Teslas not charging in extreme cold, even when connected to a working charger, highlights the complexity of modern electric vehicle systems, where multiple factors must work in harmony for optimal performance. While the battery preconditioning feature is a helpful tool for drivers, the vehicle’s onboard systems are also designed to manage battery temperature automatically in cold conditions.

However, if something goes wrong—whether it’s a malfunction in the temperature sensors, battery management software, or other related components—diagnostic services become essential to uncover the root of the issue. Routine diagnostics and software updates can help ensure that these systems are functioning correctly, and prevent issues like charging failures in extreme weather. Without professional diagnostics, the exact cause of the charging problem may remain unclear, which could lead to further complications.

For those dealing with not only electric vehicles but also diesel-powered trucks, like those serviced by RUSH Diesel, regular diagnostic checks are just as important. Diesel engines, although different from electric vehicles in terms of mechanics, also require careful attention to ensure that all systems, including the fuel system, exhaust, and engine components, are functioning properly.

Much like the sophisticated diagnostics needed for electric vehicles, RUSH Diesel provides comprehensive services for diesel vehicles to identify potential issues before they turn into costly repairs.

Whether it’s diagnosing a cold-weather issue with an electric vehicle or ensuring a diesel engine is running efficiently, automotive diagnostics and repair services are crucial for maintaining vehicle performance and preventing unnecessary breakdowns.

Here is WGN’s take on the Chicago Tesla disaster;

There could be more pain to come for the Chicago Tesla drivers. Prolonged exposure to severe frost conditions can permanently wreck the battery, and some of those bricked Tesla drivers have been stuck in the cold for days.

Will Tesla customer service start responding to distressed Chicago drivers? I hope so – but in 2021, a Finnish Tesla owner became so fed up with Tesla customer service, after his battery was permanently wrecked by severe cold, he strapped 30Kg of Dynamite to the Tesla, and filmed a rather spectacular negative product review.

Note we at WUWT do not recommend blowing up your Tesla, regardless of the quality of Tesla customer service you receive. Explosives should only be handled by trained professionals, and Teslas contain large quantities of toxic chemicals. The Finnish Tesla owner in the video above responsibly removed the most toxic component, the battery, before detonating his Tesla.

Originally posted at WattsUpWithThat.com, reposted with permission.