Perhaps the biggest change to the 2021 Tesla Model 3 was the addition of the heat pump. After first appearing in the Model Y when it launched earlier this year, it was added to the electric sedan to hopefully give it more range in cold weather driving (hello Canada!).
We have already seen some early efficiency tests of the heat pump on the Model Y thanks to Canadian and Drive Tesla reader @kkvr2823. While the test showed some impressive figures for a bulky SUV, it is hard to make a comparison since there is no Model Y without a heat pump.
Enter the refresh Model 3. To see how much more efficient the heat pump is than the previous resistive heater, YouTuber Bjørn Nyland put his 2019 Model 3 up against a 2021 Model 3 in a cabin heating experiment.
After running the heat in both cars for 3-hours, the 2021 Model 3 used up just 3% of its battery life. That compares to the 10% loss experienced by the 2019 Model 3, a night and day difference.
In terms of the amount of energy used, Nyland said the heat pump used up just 735W of energy per hour, while the resistive heater used 3 times as much, 2,170W of energy per hour.
This test clearly shows the heat pump is more efficient, but is only relevant for when heating up the cabin. The real test will be to see how it performs on a long drive in -30°C weather. It will be more efficient, but will it be 3x as efficient?
Now that we’re heading into the depths of winter, there will no doubt be some Canadian Tesla owners who will put it to the test.
Check out the full video below.
