Tesla Model Y Takes On Alaskan Tundra In Off-Road Durability Test

Featured Image Credit: JerryRigEverything/YouTube

The Tesla Model Y was recently featured testing in the Alaskan Tundra for a series off-road durability and handling demonstrations. The tests, which were featured on the JerryRigEverything YouTube channel, discussed just how well the all-electric crossover performs when it comes to driving in the snow. 

The YouTube host, who is known for his durability tests and teardown of popular mobile devices, was invited by the electric car maker to test out the Model Y in frigid conditions. The tests were conducted in a facility in Alaska, which also happens to be the site where Tesla conducts its winter tests for all its vehicles. 

The conditions in the area were frigid, with footage of the tests showing temperatures as low as -21 degrees Fahrenheit. This was enough to instantly convert boiling water to steam once it's thrown to the air. Yet despite these unforgiving conditions, the Tesla Model Y was able to demonstrate some impressive handling capabilities.  

Credit: JerryRigEverything/YouTube

As noted by the tech reviewer, the Model Y is intelligent enough to properly distribute the torque from its electric motors to ensure that it does not slip uncontrollably in the ice. This was demonstrated by having half of the Model Y’s wheels on slippery ice and the other half on pavement. Footage of the vehicle showed the Model Y climbing a hill without any issues, despite one side of it driving on literal ice. 

The YouTube host mentioned that the Model Y actually handles better than his Toyota Tacoma pickup truck despite the frigid weather. The conditions in the tests were freezing, but the all-electric crossover was able to perform well. The durability test enthusiast stated that he could control the vehicle's movements without any problems. This bodes well for the Model Y, considering that the all-electric crossover will likely be the vehicle of choice for many buyers living in cold weather.  

Teslas and other electric vehicles suffer from a stereotype suggesting that EVs do not perform well in frozen conditions. Yet despite this, electric cars actually sell very well in countries that experience harsh winters, such as Norway and the Netherlands. With this in mind, Tesla has to ensure that its most ambitious vehicle yet, the Model Y, has the capabilities necessary to be competitive in markets where cold weather driving is a must. 

Fortunately, Tesla seems to be intent on ensuring that its vehicles are properly winter tested before they release them to the market. If the YouTube host’s findings are any indication, the Model Y may very well be a favorite among families living in areas that regularly experience a lot of snow and long winters. The electric car maker has also equipped the Model Y with components that would likely aid the vehicle in cold weather performance, such as an efficient heat pump and Octovalve system that would likely help the all-electric crossover conserve its range in frigid conditions.