At least 91 people have died as a result of the Arctic storm that has been hitting the United States for weeks, according to a count carried out by the CBS News television network, which has compiled all the confirmed deaths in different states.
The intensity of the storm is leaving up to 60 centimeters of snow accumulated in some parts of the country and extreme cold, with a thermal sensation of 57 degrees below zero in North Dakota.
The storm has also complicated travel by car. And not just because of the state of the roads. Many Tesla vehicle owners have not been able to start their cars due to lack of autonomy, according to the Associated Press.
The experts consulted by this agency remember that electric vehicles lose part of their autonomy (from 10% to 36%) in the cold, especially in sub-zero temperatures. These also don’t charge as quickly in extreme cold conditions.
This occurs because inside electric vehicle batteries, lithium ions flow through a liquid electrolyte, producing electricity. However, they travel more slowly through the electrolyte when it is cold and do not release as much energy.
The lack of preparation in these vehicles has angered the owners. At a station in Michigan, Ankita Bansal’s Tesla battery only had 7% of its charge left. He plugged it in, but the car was not using electricity. In the end, it took an hour and 50 minutes to reach a full charge, according to AP.
On social networks, Tesla has also been harshly attacked, accusing Elon Musk’s company of lack of foresight and of not responding to requests for information from users trapped on the roads.
