The Truth Behind Tesla Supercharger Wait Times and Cold Weather

Recently, local TV news reported a 2-hour wait at Tesla superchargers in Chicago due to a -16F temperature. Dead Teslas were even shown being carted away on flatbeds. This brought up the question of whether the producer should be fired for airing this story.

However, the news report did not mention that there was a 9-hour delay for AAA to come out and boost the batteries on thousands of gas cars that wouldn't start. This point highlights the broader issues of how weather affects all types of vehicles, not just electric ones.

Should the Producer Be Fired for Reporting the News?

The station should air a correction. Reporting on cold weather's impact on Tesla superchargers is relevant, especially when it affects thousands of drivers. However, the producer should provide a balanced view. Even if this report wasn't entirely true, it's not the first time a news agency has failed to tell the whole story.

Impact of Cold Weather on Tesla Superchargers and Cold Batteries

Mother nature is indeed shorting Musk's stocks again. In the cold, it is reported that it takes twice as much energy to charge a cold battery. Some people also claim that 30 miles of driving uses up 100 miles of range in cold weather. Others argue that the wait times this week were due to chargers being blocked by snow from snow plows. Additionally, some believe that it takes 30 minutes of charging to warm the batteries just for the car to begin charging.

Producer's Role and Responsibility

The producer is simply reporting the news. Tesla cars, which rely on batteries, are vulnerable to cold weather, unlike gas cars. It is much easier to jumpstart a car with one 12-volt battery than charging one with 7,000 batteries. The producer's role is to present information as accurately as possible, not to guarantee its truthfulness.

Reality Check: Available Superchargers and Battery Performance

One of the many apps available for finding Tesla superchargers showed that they were all over the city and functioning well. At -16F, a Tesla works just fine and even performs better than a gasoline vehicle. The news report on Tesla supercharger wait times in Chicago is more of a reflection of the broader impact of cold weather on vehicle performance, not a lie or irresponsible reporting.

Conclusion

While cold weather does have an impact on Tesla superchargers and the overall performance of electric vehicles, it is crucial to present this information in a balanced and accurate manner. Removing a producer for reporting such news would not only be unfair but could also set a dangerous precedent for journalism. It is the responsibility of the news station to verify and report such information accurately.