Canadian winters are notoriously brutal—and one Tesla Model 3 owner decided to put that to the test. Standing in a heavy winter coat, he conducted an experiment to see just how fast his EV’s cabin would warm up when the outside temperature was an astonishing –29.2 °F (–34 °C).
Putting the Model 3 Through Its Paces
The subject of the test is a Tesla Model 3, one of Tesla’s most popular vehicles. Originally released in 2017, this mid-sized sedan stands out for its aerodynamic styling and advanced tech features like Autopilot and Sentry Mode.
Youtuber Sask Tech Ideas decided to challenge Canada’s frigid climate by measuring how long it would take for his car’s interior to go from freezing cold to comfortably warm.
The Cold Start: Temperatures That Make You Shiver
When the test began, the outside air was a bone-chilling –29.2 °F. Inside the car, the Tesla app reported the cabin temperature at just –11.2 °F—not exactly cozy.
But then he activated the pre-heating system. What happened next was impressive: within just four minutes, the cabin temperature climbed to +20 °C (+68 °F)—warm enough to get on the road without discomfort.
Why the Tesla’s Heating Performance Is Noteworthy
That four-minute warm-up time is quite remarkable, especially when you compare it with many traditional gas-powered cars, whose windshields and interiors often take much longer to de-ice and heat.
The video author even joked that it took about as long as heating a Pop-Tart in a toaster. By minute four, he declared the cabin ready:
“Look at that, by four minutes it got to plus 20, that’s perfect—we can go for a drive now.”
What This Means for EV Drivers in Cold Climates
- Tesla’s efficiency: The test shows that Tesla’s climate control system can rapidly heat the cabin, even under extreme cold.
- EV advantages in winter: Compared to many combustion-engine vehicles, EVs like the Model 3 may de-ice and warm faster.
- User confidence: This quick warm-up boosts confidence for EV owners in very cold regions—winter driving may be more practical than many assume.
