How Much Does Tesla's LFP Battery Range Decrease in Winter?
2 Answers
Tesla's LFP battery has a range of 468KM. Under low-temperature conditions in winter, vehicles equipped with LFP batteries experience a 35% reduction in range. Additional information about LFP batteries is as follows: Working Principle: It is a lithium-ion battery that uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) as the cathode material and carbon as the anode material. The nominal voltage of a single cell is 3.2V, and the charging cutoff voltage is 3.6V~3.65V. During charging, some lithium ions in the lithium iron phosphate are extracted, transported through the electrolyte to the anode, and embedded in the carbon material of the anode. At the same time, electrons are released from the cathode and reach the anode through the external circuit, maintaining the balance of the chemical reaction. During discharge, lithium ions are extracted from the anode, transported through the electrolyte to the cathode, while electrons are released from the anode and reach the cathode through the external circuit, providing energy to the external circuit. Advantages: LFP batteries have the advantages of high working voltage, high energy density, long cycle life, good safety performance, low self-discharge rate, and no memory effect.
I've been driving a Tesla Model 3 with LFP battery for quite a while, and the range does drop significantly when winter comes. Normally it can run 400 km on a full charge, but in cold weather it drops to around 280-300 km, a reduction of about 30%. This is because low temperatures make the battery react slower and discharge less efficiently. I often drive in sub-zero weather in northern regions, and found that preheating the battery via mobile app beforehand is quite helpful in recovering some range. Driving habits also make a big difference - for example, avoiding sudden acceleration and minimizing max AC usage can save power. Overall, LFP batteries are more sensitive to cold than NCM batteries, so range reduction is normal. But with proper charging planning and parking insulation, it's not a big issue. Personally I feel quite safe and not too anxious about it.
