Polestar 3 edges Tesla Model 3 out in 24 vehicle winter range test

The latest results from the renowned Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) and Motor magazine's El Prix EV winter range test are in. In a surprising turn of events, the Polestar 3 emerged victorious, achieving the second-best winter result ever recorded.

Tesla was a consistent frontrunner in previous range tests. It entered the competition with high expectations for its Model 3 LR RWD, boasting a WLTP range of 702 km. Unfortunately, it fell 25% short of its WLTP rating.

The Polestar 3, on the other hand, exceeded expectations, completing an impressive 531 km in challenging winter conditions. This result marked a mere 5.18% deviation from its WLTP rating of 561 km, securing its place as a top contender in the EV market.

There was a bit of drama during the test and when calculating results. Tesla Model 3 stopped after traveling 548 km, and everyone thought it was a clear winner. It wasn't until Polestar 3 stopped nearly 300 m ahead of the Tesla, indicating it had covered 531 km. Quick verification revealed that Tesla Model 3 added about 4.7 km every 100 km to its reading. Once this nearly 5% error was calculated into the final results, Polestar 3 was crowned a winner - just.

With both Polestar and Tesla scoring nearly the same result, the third and fourth position ended up sharing the podium as well. Porsche Taycan and Kia EV3 both managed to travel 499 km before running out of charge, about 15% short of their claimed WLTP range.

The El Prix EV range test runs bi-annually in Norway, and it evaluates the real-world range of electric vehicles against their official WLTP figures. The winter edition presents particularly demanding conditions. This year's route featured slippery road surfaces and an ascent of approximately 1,000 m.

Despite these challenges, the Polestar 3 delivered exceptional performance. Unsurprisingly, Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller was proud of the achievement. He commented on the importance of the range for customers and suggested Polestar 3 is perfect for buyers wanting a luxurious high-performance SUV.

The worst performer in the test was the Peugeot E-3008. It ran out of charge after traveling 347 km - that's 163 km short of its claimed WLTP range. Voyah Dream was equally as bad achieving the lowest range in the whole test - 344 km or 71% of its claimed range. The third worst EV in the test was another Peugeot - the E-5008 managed 361 km which is 127 km less than its advertised range. Two EVs from Peugeot taking up the last spots in the range test is not a good image for the French brand.

This 12th edition of the range test revealed the changing landscape of the EV market. The auto manufacturers are constantly pushing the boundaries of range and performance with every new model. The Polestar 3's victory set a new benchmark for electric vehicles in challenging winter conditions. Here are the full results of the test:

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