Posted on 12/29/2022 6:22:51 AM PST by Red Badger
The story of an electric car charging problem in the dead of winter experienced by a Virginia radio show host went viral this week, once again highlighting the major issues with owning an EV.
Domenick Nati, who hosts a radio show focused on celebrities and movie stars, took to his social media accounts on Christmas Eve to voice his frustration that his Tesla was refusing to take a charge during the frigid winter weather that fell across the country last week, showing more limitations for EVs.
The problem forced him to cancel all his Christmas plans. But it could have been much worse.
The 44-year-old host posted his video showing that his Tesla Model S would not begin charging even when plugged into a supercharger station.
With temperatures hitting below 20 degrees, Nati told his fans that he first tried to charge the car with his home charger, but when that didn’t work he drove over to a supercharge station. And still no luck.
Sure enough, when Nati plugged the car into the supercharger station, he got a message that said that the battery could not charge until it was warmed up by the charging station. But two hours later, he was still getting the same “Battery is heating — keep charge cable inserted” message.
“I have no other vehicle, so I decided to see if it just needed more time. Hours went by, and with only 19 miles left to empty, I chose to leave the car plugged in and get a ride back to my house,” Nati said according to the Washington Examiner.
He went several days with the problem and also could not get any Tesla service personnel on the phone during the time to help him. Ultimately, he had to cancel all his holiday plans because he had no way to travel.
“Since I posted the video, a lot of people have mentioned having the same issue,” Nati told FOX Business Network on Sunday.
“Some fellow Tesla owners have even messaged me to see if I have found a solution,” Nati added. “Unfortunately, my answer is no.”
It is well known that electric vehicles have problems charging in cold weather and that driving distances are also severely cut down due to the cold. That is why most EVs have battery-warming devices to allow charging in frigid weather.
And, as Electrek noted, it appears that Nati had a particular problem with his car that is not normal operating conditions.
But even if that is the case — that Nati’s car was malfunctioning and there was not a problem with charging merely because it was cold out — the fact that he could not get any service was also a major problem.
The Virginia radio host is not the only one to experience problems related to the frigid weather and how it impacts their Teslas. Another Tesla owner recently posted a video showing that his car charging port and doors could not be opened because they were frozen shut.
With regular, gas-powered cars, there are multiple ways to get help, even over a holiday. But EVs are still new enough that few local shops can service them. And if an EV owner can’t get phone support in an emergency, that is a serious problem.
Nati could have been facing life-threatening conditions in that frigid weather as he sat stranded at a charging station. After all, over the same few days, a driver was found dead from exposure to the elements as she sat stranded in her car in Buffalo, New York. And dozens more have died across the country due to this brutal cold snap.
Any kind of vehicle can have problems in our freezing winters, granted. But EVs have several endemic challenges that need to be addressed, if not by the technology, then at least by the services manufacturers and dealerships offer car owners.
Little Battery Blankets with
Hand Warmers for dialing a Tow Truck !
/$
I always wanted a TR-4!
I had to work on mine so much that my nephew told me later in life he learned everything he needed to know about fine and fancy cussing from having his bedroom window open while I worked on my car in the driveway!
I am better at controlling myself, and consciously avoid cussing now that I am older and hopefully more mature!
Uber can get into the game with Uber-eTow. Combined with Uber Eats, battery powered vehicle owners can enjoy lunch as they're being towed toward their destination, all while recharging their batteries.
The Facts.... Exactly!
That was my first thought.................a battery temp sensor that is bad............
I am finding that age has the opposite effect on me. But it's swearing at animate beings and not inanimate objects that does it. I am reaching the point where I have far less patience with abject stupidity than I did when I was younger.
This opportunity has
Epic Implications!
.
Rolling EV Jacuzzis!
Movies, Popcorn and
Hot Chick’s!
.
Mile High Clubs...
.
nah
And if the above saga isn’t exciting enough for you, just wait until there are lottsa EV 18- Wheelers out on the road, but stranded and blocking traffic because the battery won’t take a charge if the temp is below 32 degrees or that vicinity. Stupidity gone to seed. I understand the USPS has ordered 60,000+ EV mail delivery vehicles. Just when you think you’ve seen the greatest stupidity, some government genius takes it as a challenge.
“Put it in the garage and buy a couple of propane heaters. Get the temp up to within operating range and it’ll charge.”
Car owners who frequently encounter subzero temperatures can install an engine block heater, which tend to cost under $80.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/engines-—transmissions/engine-block-heater/aa4ff5ba9381
You plug it in with a long extension cord to your house, and it keeps the engine warm enough to start easily.
An electric car could have a battery heater which diverts part of the charging current in cold weather to warm the battery. Keep your car on the charger in very cold weather and you can drive off in a pre-warmed car.
You reminded me of the fact that I once had a Triumph Spitfire. I think it was a 1963. What a total POS. It was almost a daily chore just trying to keep the multiple carbs in synch.
“Stupidity was as necessary as intelligence, and as difficult to attain.”
― George Orwell, 1984
By the way, what year did you have? I loved the 1966 version-that was a sharp looking vehicle!
My 1st, 1967 Spitfire......
Boy, I sure get that. I am less inclined to swear at a snapped off bolt than I am at some of these human snapped off bolts I see!
They are both missing their heads, but for the hardware, it is in their nature to sometimes have their head missing.
For Humans...they have to learn it and be proud of it. Like you, I have less tolerance for that.
It is well known that electric vehicles have problems charging in cold weather
= = =
Where’s that Global Warming when we need it?
That part has to be hyperbole. No one is that ineffectual and still able to hold. job.
Any poke at the cowgirls is fun.
I was a Cowboys fan when Tom Landry was their coach. That generation of coaches knew how to control their criminals.
I only read that it’s owners dependent on superchargers that are bitching.
If you risk your house burning down, you can charge in your garage. Garage space is not likely to hit the extreme low temps the outside environment gets too. When you drive your EV to a supercharger, the air under the car helps COOL the batteries to even lower temps than the air is.
How much you wanna bet that many of the so called ‘heaters’ in the Tesla design to heat the battery are non working. No easy way for anyone to test them except for the extreme low temps of last week. Betcha some EV’s don’t even have battery heater they claim to have.
Maybe Jerry Jones will pay for his fun baby.
I’d like to know if you put your EV in your garage, and leave it even on the trickle charge (1kw) most basis household outlet charge — Will that provide enough heat to keep battery above freezing ? What does the battery heater draw power wise ?
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