Bone-chilling cold in US tests power grids from Texas to Alberta

Teslas Struggle to Charge , in Frigid Chicago Weather. Freezing temperatures in Chicago have left many Tesla owners stranded with dead batteries, 'Newsweek' reports. Several motorists have reported that charging stations aren't working because of the cold. Those who have managed to successfully charge their vehicles say that it's taking much longer than usual. . Our batteries are so cold it's taking longer to charge now. It should take 45 minutes, [but] it's taking two hours for the one charger that we have, Brandon Welbourne, a Tesla owner in the Evergreen Park area of Chicago, told local news station KABC. Brandon Welbourne, a Tesla owner in Chicago, said that he's seen at least 10 Tesla vehicles have to be towed away because of their dead batteries. Brandon Welbourne, a Tesla owner in Chicago, said that he's seen at least 10 Tesla vehicles have to be towed away because of their dead batteries. Another Tesla owner in Oak Brook, Illinois, said that his battery remained at 0% after trying to charge it for three hours straight on two separate occasions. . Tesla's owner's manual says that "cold weather can increase energy consumption because more power is required for driving, cabin and battery heating.". Because of this, Tesla advises owners to drive to a charging location that is at least 30 minutes away from them... ... or precondition the battery to warm it enough to sustain charging