Polestar 3 Dominates Winter Range Test: A Cold-Weather EV Champion
In Norway’s Rigorous El Prix Challenge, The Polestar 3 Excels With Just A 5% Deviation From Its WLTP Range
In a rigorous winter range test conducted by Norway’s Motor magazine and the Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF), the Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack has showcased exceptional cold-weather performance, challenging conventional expectations about electric vehicle (EV) capabilities in harsh conditions.
The El Prix Test: A Harsh Winter Challenge
The test, known as El Prix and widely regarded as the world’s largest independent winter range assessment, pushed 24 EVs to their limits in challenging Norwegian winter conditions. The Polestar 3 emerged as the clear winner, traveling 531 km (330 miles) – just 5% below its official WLTP rating of 561 km (348 miles). This accomplishment marks the second-best result in the history of the test, surpassed only by the BMW iX3’s 4% deviation recorded in 2021.
Notably, this result stands out due to the demanding nature of the test conditions. Participants faced temperatures below freezing throughout the drive, accompanied by freezing rain at the start and an hour-long convoy delay. These conditions typically cause significant range reduction in EVs, similar to how gasoline vehicles experience increased fuel consumption in winter.
Surprise Results: Tesla’s Model 3 Falls Short
The BYD Tang secured second place with a 9% range deviation, while the new Mini Countryman EV rounded out the top three with an 11% difference from its rated range. Perhaps most surprisingly, Tesla’s recently refreshed Model 3, despite having the longest claimed range among participants, finished 21st out of 24 vehicles with a 24% difference between its WLTP rating and actual performance.
The test also revealed an interesting technical discrepancy with the Tesla Model 3’s onboard systems. While both the Polestar 3 and Model 3 exhausted their batteries at nearly the same location, the Tesla’s trip meter reported covering an additional 10 miles compared to the actual distance verified through Google Maps, raising questions about the accuracy of its range estimation system.
Advancements in Polestar’s EV Range
Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller attributed the vehicle’s strong performance to its development process, noting, “We are developing our cars above the Arctic Circle in Sweden, so it’s no surprise for us that Polestar 3 performs better than the competition in challenging conditions.”
Moreover, the company has further improved its offerings with the MY25 Long Range Dual Motor variant, which now contains a range of 567 km (around 352 miles), while the new Long Range Single Motor version achieves an outstanding 706 km (around 438 miles) WLTP range.
The Polestar 3, which starts at €74,590 (around $77,554), is available in both four-wheel-drive Long Range Dual Motor and rear-wheel-drive Long Range Single Motor configurations, offering consumers different options to match their specific needs and driving conditions.
The Significance of Independent Winter Testing
This test carries particular significance given Norway’s leadership in EV adoption, where nine out of ten new cars sold in the previous year were electric. The country’s combination of high EV penetration and challenging winter conditions makes it an ideal testing ground for evaluating real-world EV performance.
The results emphasize the growing sophistication of EV technology and highlight how different manufacturers are addressing the challenge of maintaining range efficiency in cold weather conditions. For consumers, particularly those in regions with harsh winters, such independent testing provides valuable insights into how various EVs perform in real-world conditions beyond their advertised specifications.
The results of this rigorous winter test reinforce the importance of real-world performance assessments for EVs, particularly in extreme conditions. Polestar 3’s strong showing proves its readiness for harsh winters, offering consumers more confidence in its range and performance. As the EV market grows, these independent tests will continue to provide valuable insights for buyers, especially those living in colder regions.
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