Extreme cold in chicago leaves tesla owners waiting for hours as charging ports face technical issues

In the chilling depths of a Chicago winter, Tesla drivers find themselves stranded as charging stations struggle to function in the freezing temperatures.

As temperatures plummet to -17°C in Chicago, residents grapple with extreme cold, and Tesla drivers face an unexpected hurdle as their vehicles encounter difficulties at charging stations.

Local news reports reveal that Tesla owners are left stranded due to malfunctioning charging ports and prolonged charging times caused by the harsh weather conditions. The freezing temperatures negatively impact the efficiency of the charging process, resulting in extended wait times for drivers.

Brandon Welbourne, a Tesla owner, expressed his predicament, stating, “Our batteries are so cold it’s taking longer to charge now, so it should take 45 minutes, it’s taking two hours for the one charger that we have.” Stranded vehicles, drained of power, are being towed away, adding to the challenges faced by drivers.

Many Tesla drivers wait for hours in freezing conditions, only to witness their cars running out of power while in line. The situation is exacerbated by the high demand for charging stations and the strain on battery efficiency in cold weather.

Tesla’s official guidelines acknowledge the increased energy consumption in cold weather to heat the battery and the car’s interior. The manufacturer recommends not allowing the battery to drop below 20 percent to mitigate the impact of low temperatures.

While Tesla vehicles grapple with the cold, it’s not an isolated issue. Cold temperatures affect lithium-ion batteries in various devices, causing potential damage and reduced performance.