Polestar 3 Triumphs Over Tesla Model 3 in Winter Range Test

The latest results from the renowned Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) and Motor magazine's El Prix winter range test have been released. In an unexpected outcome, the Polestar 3 emerged victorious, achieving the second-best winter range result ever recorded.

Tesla has been a consistent contender in previous range tests, entering the competition with high hopes for its Model 3 LR RWD, which boasts a WLTP range of 702 km. However, it fell 25% short of this rating.

In contrast, the Polestar 3 exceeded expectations by completing an impressive 531 km in challenging winter conditions, resulting in a mere 5.18% deviation from its WLTP rating of 561 km.

There was some drama during the testing and result calculations. The Tesla Model 3 stopped after traveling 548 km, leading many to believe it was the clear winner. However, the Polestar 3 managed to stop nearly 300 m ahead of the Tesla, confirming it had covered 531 km. A quick verification revealed that the Tesla Model 3 added approximately 4.7 km every 100 km to its readings. When this nearly 5% error was accounted for in the final results, the Polestar 3 was declared the winner – by a narrow margin.

With both the Polestar and Tesla achieving similar results, the third and fourth places were shared between the Porsche Taycan and another vehicle, both of which managed to travel 499 km before running out of charge, about 15% short of their claimed WLTP range.

The El Prix range test is conducted biannually in Norway and evaluates the real-world range of electric vehicles against their official WLTP figures. The winter edition proves particularly challenging, featuring slippery road surfaces and an ascent of approximately 1,000 m.

Despite these difficulties, the Polestar 3 showcased exceptional performance. Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller expressed pride in the achievement, emphasizing the significance of range for customers and suggesting that the Polestar 3 is ideal for buyers seeking a luxurious, high-performance SUV.

The worst performer in the test was the Peugeot E-3008, which ran out of charge after traveling 347 km – 163 km short of its claimed WLTP range. The Voyah Dream performed poorly as well, achieving the lowest range in the entire test at 344 km, just 29% of its claimed range. Another Peugeot, the E-5008, managed 361 km, which is 127 km less than its advertised range, leaving a negative impression for the French brand.

This 12th edition of the range test reflected the shifting landscape of the electric vehicle market, with manufacturers continuously striving to enhance range and performance with each new model. Polestar 3's victory establishes a new benchmark for electric vehicles in harsh winter conditions. Below are the complete results of the test:

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