With the Tesla Model Y set to hit Canadian streets soon, possibly even next month now that the Fremont factory is back up and running, we get our first look at how the electric SUV will handle our harsh Canadian winters.
Well known YouTuber JerryRigEverything was invited by Tesla in February of this year, before the Model Y was officially released in the US, to head to a remote area of Alaska to partake in some cold weather testing.
Unfortunately his video doesn’t get into the probably the most important part of how the Model Y will perform in a Canadian winter – range.
We learnt early on the Model Y comes with a brand new heat pump, a design which Tesla CEO Elon Musk himself said was “some of the best engineering he has seen in a while“.
The reason it is important is the heat pump increases efficiency over the Model 3’s resistance heater. Better efficiency means better range in cold weather climates. For that, we’ll have to wait until winter arrives in Canada, hopefully at least another 4-5 months.
But until then, we learn that the Model Y will be more than capable this winter, along with a couple of new features that will make winter driving easier.
The video begins with how well the Model Y can handle slippery road conditions on a 20º incline. With two wheels on bare concrete, and the other two wheels on the sheet of ice, the Model Y’s computer is able to determine how much power to deliver each wheel to get the most traction. The result is it handles the incline with ease.
It is also revealed for the first time that the charge port on the Model Y will be heated. This will help prevent the issue of frozen charge ports during heavy snow and freezing rain that can sometimes occur.
Another prevalent issue in the cold of winter for the Model 3 is frozen door handles. The video reveals the door handles of the Model Y, while looking exactly the same as those on the Model 3, have been redesigned to have more flex so you can push either end to break the ice. This will be a welcomed addition for Canadian Model Y owners.
The video is full of interesting tidbits, and even features a few glimpses of the red Tesla Semi that was spotted just south of the Canadian border after returning from this testing site.
Check out the full video below, and let us know in the comments how you think it will be driving the Model Y this winter in Canada.
