
At idle, it consumes approximately 1.5L-2L per hour. Here is some relevant information: Underground parking: Parked in an underground garage with a temperature of 29 degrees, the air conditioning was set to 20 degrees and used for 40 minutes, consuming 6 km of range, equivalent to about 840Wh of electrical energy. Based on this calculation, one hour would consume approximately 9 km of range, with an electrical energy consumption of 1.26kWh. Introduction: Ground clearance is one of the key factors affecting a vehicle's wading capability. Among the currently available Tesla models, the Model 3 mid-size sedan has a minimum ground clearance of 138mm, the Model X mid-size SUV has a minimum ground clearance of 137mm, and the Model S mid-size car has a minimum ground clearance of 116mm.

When I drive my Tesla Model 3 and park it in the garage with the AC on for about an hour, it consumes a little over 1 kWh of electricity. In the hot summer, it might go up to 2 kWh. I often go camping and leave the AC on all night, which only drains a few percent of the battery—way more convenient than a gas car. Unlike fuel-powered cars that need the engine to warm up, the electric AC works instantly, and the electricity cost is minimal. Once in winter when it was cold, the cabin warmed up in just half an hour with lower consumption, but overall, the impact is small. As long as the battery is healthy, using the AC for several hours while parked is no issue. You can monitor the power usage via the car's touchscreen, just avoid over-discharging the battery.

AC power consumption mainly depends on settings and environment. Tesla's AC typically draws between 1 to 3 kilowatts, using 1 to 3 kWh per hour. For example, cranking up the temperature or fan speed increases consumption; in cooler weather, it might only use 0.8 kWh. When parked, consumption stabilizes around 1 kWh per hour. Vehicle model also matters: Model X or S consumes slightly more than Model 3. I recommend pre-heating or pre-cooling before driving to reduce peak consumption. Overall, proper adjustment avoiding extreme settings can save significant energy.

How much electricity does running the AC for an hour consume? From my experience, it's about 1 to 1.5 kWh. Tesla uses electric air conditioning, which is more cost-effective compared to traditional gas-powered cars. In daily driving, the electricity cost is at most a couple of dollars, and the impact on battery degradation is minimal, almost negligible. If you're concerned about high electricity consumption, you can check the vehicle's data to review historical usage records. Running the AC while parked consumes less electricity than when driving, as the total energy consumption is higher while driving. Ensuring proper tire pressure and keeping windows closed can also help reduce additional load.

Air conditioning power consumption per hour varies by situation: approximately 1.5 to 2 kWh when parked; only 0.5 to 1 kWh extra when driving. I often notice sudden power consumption spikes when the weather gets hot, reaching up to 3 kWh per hour under summer sun. Winter heating consumes similarly. Remember not to park in direct sunlight with AC on to avoid wasting power. Also, it's better to turn off AC if parked too long to prevent low battery warnings. Simply put, larger battery capacity makes depletion unlikely, and occasional usage has negligible impact.


