When winter weather struck Chicago, it brought unfavorable conditions for many electric vehicle (EV) owners. The bitter cold and frigid temperatures posed a significant challenge as EVs were unable to charge at Tesla supercharger stations, turning them into EV graveyards. The tragic scenes unfolded with negative double-digit weather affecting the city.
EV charge times are susceptible to weather conditions, and the chemical reaction involved in charging is slowed down in lower temperatures. The consequence is a notable decrease in charging times and a reduction in the range of electric vehicles during frigid winter weather. Fast charging becomes nearly impossible when extremely low temperatures hit.
The situation played out dramatically across Chicago as temperatures plummeted. Fox Chicago reported on desperate Tesla owners attempting to charge their completely dead EVs at a supercharger station in the Oak Brook neighborhood, with similar scenes observed throughout the city. The scenes were marked by long lines, abandoned cars, and the frustration of many unable to charge their vehicles in the bitter cold.
A Chicago resident shared his struggles trying to recharge his Tesla at the Oak Brook supercharger, stating, “Nothing. No juice. Still on zero percent.” He described spending hours for two days at the station without success. Another Tesla owner referred to the situation as a “disaster,” emphasizing the challenges faced by EV owners in the cold weather.
Local outlet WGN reported a Tesla owner’s distress over the battery’s limited range and extended charging time in the cold, especially one who drove for Uber. Mark Bilek of the Chicago Auto Trade Association suggested a solution, stating that the non-charging problem could be resolved with the push of a button. He explained the learning curve for users, emphasizing the need to precondition the battery to the optimal temperature for fast charging.
The challenge arises from many electric vehicles limiting their batteries’ ability to charge quickly in extreme cold to prevent damage. Preconditioning becomes crucial to warm the battery to a temperature where the risk is mitigated, ensuring safer charging for the vehicle. An expert explained that in cold weather, the thermal management system activates to heat up the battery before reaching the charger.
Despite potential solutions, the severity of the problem remained evident for Tesla owners in the city. A video shared by an individual depicted a “Tesla graveyard” at a supercharger station, describing it as an “EV Armageddon” on the south side of Chicago, where cars were unable to charge, even waiting in line for one of the few operating stalls.