Tesla Model S Battery Pack Capacity and Local Climate

Notes 2019-03-03:
This chart is posted by permission.
Source: Plug In America, Tom Saxton, Chief Science Officer.

This chart is taken from a presentation given by Tom Saxton at TMC Connect in
2015 (where TMC is Tesla Motors Club)
It is based on data from the Tesla Model S Owner Survey.

The three different groups designated by colors and shapes are temperatures. They are
the maximum average daily high temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, obtained from
this data source.

Other notes are posted below the chart:




Some additional comments on the chart, taken from discussion with Tom,
and edited slightly:

1) If there were a correlation between hot climates and battery pack capacity
loss in the Model S, we would expect to see the red squares more at the bottom
of the chart and the blue triangles sprinkled more near the top. Instead, the
three groups are pretty randomly distributed. From this some would conclude that
the 2015 data shows no issue with hot climates and battery pack capacity loss in
the Model S.

2) [As to comparing with the Leaf...]: The Model S and Leaf use different battery
chemistries, plus different pack designs, different pack sizes and different
driving performance levels, so other factors are in play.

[A comment from the webmaster (not from Tom or PIA): Tom was responding in part
to this point I made to him]:

"...It would seem useful to have more information on whether liquid cooled packs,
or other factors, tend to be decent bets, as versus air cooled packs, as to long-term
degradation concerns in hot climates...."


Also used by permission, here are charts from 2012-2013 Plug In America study papers. One chart is taken from
July 2013 PlugIn America Roadster Battery Study
based on the Tesla Roadster Survey

The other chart is taken from
December 2012 PlugIn America Leaf Battery Survey
which was based on Nissan Leaf Survey


These charts are intended to help illustrate the data at that time showed indications
that the Leaf pack did not do that well in hotter climates while the Roadster (which predated the Model S)
was holding up more inline with the data that is presented above for the Model S.


------
Tesla Roadster Chart from July 2013 PlugIn America Roadster Battery Study:
Used By Permission


Nissan Leaf Chart from December 2012 PlugIn America Leaf Battery Survey:
Used By Permission



[Note from webmaster: This chart only applies to the data from the 2011-2012 (or so) Leafs issued in the US.
In later Leaf versions, Nissan made some changes to the Leaf battery chemistry and perhaps other aspects.]