I'd love a Model 3, but unsure my conditions (charger availability and weather) are good enough

[philhzss]

Hi everyone,

Considering getting a Model 3. I’m aware the batteries loose efficiency when cold, but here’s my situation...

I rent an apartment and have outdoor parking only. Also, I can’t install a plug, no outlets outside (not even 120V) and I don't own the place so I can't really modify it. I might consider getting something installed with the landlord but I won't count on that. Luckily however, my commute is only 25km long (each way) and my workplace has chargers. There are also many chargers within a few km of my home. Charging at work only should suffice for 80% of my driving time, which is commuting from home to work. Also, I work quite a lot (7-8 days in a row, with few days off) so I'm certain charging at work only would be okay.

However, in the winter it can get extremely cold here (Montreal), as in -25 to -30C. Let's say worse case scenario: its winter, its -30C, I'm on vacation (so car isn't being charged at work everyday) and after having it parked for 2 days, I need to use it. I can't "preheat" the battery using external power since I don't have a plug, and the car isn't in a garage. Is this a terrible scenario or it should function properly? I fully understand the range will be less. Basically, what I'm asking is would buying a Model 3 be a stupid idea if I have to leave it outside in the cold and not plugged in? I could charge everyday if working but if not, I can't.

I really like the Model 3 and I’m sure it would be fine to not have a home plug during the summer, but I’m unsure buying one is a wise idea considering our cold winters and my current home. Perhaps I’ll buy a house eventually but not before 3+ years.

Any opinions? Thanks a lot!

 

[harry]

Well, you will lose some range, (both from vampire drain and cold effects) but other than that there's no reason to worry. As you say, there are lots of charging stations around, and you have two sets of Superchargers in Montreal.

BTW, you can pre-heat the car - it costs some range, but depending on your trip plan for the day that might not be a problem.

 

[Gavyne]

You can wake your car up via the Tesla app and start heating before you get in. Since your commute to work is short, I see no problems at all. The ability to charge at work, plus having access to superchargers, you won't have any issues.

 

[philhzss]

Thanks for both your replies! I didn’t know you could preheat without plugging in, that’s encouraging.

I’ll keep looking into it!! Thanks

 

[adaptabl]

What if for some reason your job changes. Then you may be stuck with a car that you can't charge. You really should have a method to charge at home. I would talk to the property owner and be sure you can add a plug before buying.

 

[KarenRei]

What if for some reason your job changes. Then you may be stuck with a car that you can't charge. You really should have a method to charge at home. I would talk to the property owner and be sure you can add a plug before buying.

If your job changes, unless it's in the same town, you're moving too. Meaning your home charging situation will be changing as well.

And the worst case scenario is "sell the car and buy a different one, if your job happens to change and you decide that eating or shopping near a supercharger every now and then is unacceptable to you". Note that there are six supercharger stations in/around Montreal.

I'll also agree with what everyone else wrote. 25km commute and workplace chargers = no problem at all, even remotely, even with "days off in the winter".

 

[KarenRei]

To elaborate at what's near superchargers in Montreal:

Mascouche, QC
65 Montée Masson
Restaurants Boston Pizza, Tutti Frutti, St-Hubert Express, Ambiance D'Asie, Amir, McDonald's ($), Subway ($), Restaurant Barbies, Rockstar Burger Bar, Belle Provice Restaurant, L'Eggsotique Cafe
Shopping L'entrepôt RONA, La Source, PJC Jean Coutu, Aubainerie, Ardene, Party Expert, Best Buy, Club C, EB Games, Payless ShoeSource, Lingerie Jady, ALBI Nissan Mascouche, Staples Business Depot, Déco Découverte Mascouche, Penningtons, Moores Clothing for Men, IGA extra Mascouche, Mondou, Le Lunetier, Grenier Volkswagen

Laval, QC
3035 Boulevard Carrefour
Restaurants Steak Frites St-Paul, La Fonderie, Restaurant Torii Sushi, Cora, Bâton Rouge Steakhouse & Bar, La Piazza, Nickels, Le Quartz, Mr. Pretzels, Cafeteria Georges, Tatami Express
Shopping Souris Mini, Swarovski Retail Store-Laval, Naturalizer, LE CHÂTEAU, Lacoste Laval Boutique, The Children's Place, Bose Showcase Store, Café Dépôt, Stokes, Rogers, Starbucks, Bikini Village, Le Tambourin, La Source, Jean-Paul Fortin, Gap, Maison Corbeil, Second Cup, Renaud-Bray, Victoria's Secret & PINK

Pointe Claire, QC
6815 Route Canadienne
Restaurants Restaurant L'Academie Pointe-Claire, McKibbin's Irish Pub, Thai Express, Moes Bar & Grill ($), Soho Sushi Lounge, Java U, La Cage - Brasserie sportive, Marquis Bar & Grill, Sushi Bento Nouveau, Jugo Juice, The Keg, Boutique Blush, Kojax Souflaki, Chop Crazy Creations, Saint Cinnamon, Place Tevere, Manchu Wok, A&W Canada, Restaurant SUBWAY ($), Teriyaki Experience
Shopping Best Buy, Renaud-Bray, Apple Fairview Pointe-Claire, Clarks, Pharmaprix, Dynamite, La Source, La Baie d'Hudson, Rogers, SEPHORA, iNetVideo.ca, Old Navy, Bath & Body Works, Stokes, MicroBytes Pointe-Claire, American Eagle Outfitters, Best Buy Mobile Kiosk, AquaSport Pointe-Claire, Aerie, Thyme Maternité

Montreal, QC
3131 Boulevard de la Côte-Vertu
Restaurants Rôtisserie Scores, McDonald's ($), Kojax Souflaki, Subway ($), Restaurant Thaï Express, Place Tevere, Tiki Ming, Kabab Restaurant, Kim Chi, Grillades Torino, Cultures, Restaurant SUBWAY ($), Restaurant Valentine, Los Dias, FreshMTL, allô! mon coco - Place Vertu, Bionette, Birreria ITALI.CO, Masako Sushi, Chop Crazy
Shopping Canadian Tire - Ville St. Laurent, QC, Aldo, La Source, Payless ShoeSource, Stokes, Fido, EB Games, Adonis, Fleuriste Casaplanta Inc, Winners, Starbucks, The Children's Place, Sirens, Uniprix Sheinaz et Reza Kalfane - Pharmacie affiliée, Virgin Mobile Place Vertu, GNC - General Nutrition Centres, SAQ, Just4games Inc, Naturalizer, Lift Formation | Chariot Élévateur | Formation Cariste

Montreal (SC), QC
5350 Ferrier St
Restaurants Bâton Rouge Steakhouse & Bar, Rib'N Reef Steakhouse Restaurant ($$$), Gibeau Orange Julep, Pushap, Cafe Supreme, Marathon Souvlaki, La Prep, P.F. Chang's, McDonald's ($), Harvey's, Restaurant SUBWAY ($), Il Figo Cuisine Sociale, Eggspectation, Hotel ruby foo, Allô! Mon Coco, Burger King ($), Wendy's ($), Mikes Restaurants Corporate Office, Treats International, La Belle Province milad
Shopping Silver Star Montreal, Fabricville - Magasin de Tissus, Signature Bachand, Excel Honda, EB Games, Kitchen Equipped, Excel Moto, Union Luminaires & Décor, Bell, Claireview Leasing, Digi Presse, Decarie Motors Jaguar Land Rover, Empire Auctions Inc, Carpette Multi-Design, Ceracolor Inc, Excel Honda Occasion, Jardin de Ville, Intertech Ameublements de Bureau-Office Furniture

Brossard, QC
6500 Boulevard Rome
Restaurants Restaurant ZIBO! Brossard - Quartier Dix30, Sushi Shop Quartier Dix30, Restaurant Rouge, La Tomate Blanche, Vestibule signé L'Aurochs, Jack Saloon DIX30, Niji Sushi Bar, L'Aurochs Steakhouse, Le Club Dix30, La Cage, Pasta Bella, Noobox, Café du Théâtre - Brasserie Française, Restaurant Amir, Mucho Burrito Fresh Mexican Grill, Yuzu sushi, Grillades Torino, McDonald's ($), Resto DIX30, Restaurant SUBWAY ($)
Shopping Dynamite, Aldo, Urban Planet, Souris Mini - DIX30, H&M, Safari Pet Store Dix30, HomeSense, AEO & Aerie Store, Stokes-Dix30, Bikini Village, Indigo, Lindt Chocolate Shop - Brossard, JYSK, Uniprix Truong Kieu Quyen - Pharmacie affiliée, Bureau en Gros, Artemano, Tommy Hilfiger, DeSerres, Boucherie Magnan Cuisine, BIZOU

 

[SSedan]

Yes you. Can preheat without being plugged it but then it is all consumed range. May be slightly more efficient than just driving since Regen will come online sooner bit of is going to hammer range.

With my Model S and my morning warmups being plugged in my lunch runs and afternoon commute being all battery warmup meant doubled normal energy use, about 15miles round trip. Longer commute will be more efficient since they get past battery heating phase.

What is the work charging solution? 120volt will not cut it, you need at least 20amps 240volt. Your situation will just be the reverse of mine where I charge/preheat at home but at work is all battery.

Honestly my Model S getting 24amps from the wall could still consume a few miles during morning warmup as the combination battery and interior heater consume more than that. model 3 heats battery differently and is more efficient with kwh/mile but I would still expect similar trends.

 

[philhzss]

Thanks for all your replies. I do not plan on changing jobs for a very long time, unless something major happens.

Also, the charging solution at work is one of those big plugs for EV’s, I don’t know the exact specs but it’s definitely more than 120volts. I’ll look into it.

Thanks again for all the info! I want to be 100% sure it’s ok to own a Model 3 while leaving it outside in the freezing cold, unplugged, for potentially several days. I’ll keep researching but so far pretty much everything seems to be indicating I’ll be fine.