Electric Cars

Tesla Model S tows a Rivian R1T electric ute from the snow

Published by
Riz Akhtar

We’ve been told that EVs can’t tow a boat, and we know that is not true.  And now a video has just emerged of an EV, towing another EV out of the snow, when a Tesla Model S electric sedan came to the rescue of a bogged-down Rivian R1T electric ute.

The video of this rescue was posted by Tesla East Bay Fremont account on Twitter

The Rivian R1T reportedly found itself running into the snow embankment after its driver tried to avoid crashing into the vehicle in front of them.

The Rivian R1T is a fairly heavy vehicle, coming in at over 3,100 kg,  and a 2023 Tesla Model S is about a tonne lighter. The Model S did fairly well in trying to pull the heavier off-roader out of the snow embankment. 

The lower centre of gravity in EVs can help get more traction onto the wheels along with Tesla’s advanced all-wheel-drive system which is very capable in many different road conditions.

In the video, the poster suggests that it has snowed a lot more this year than in previous years hence making the driving conditions a bit more challenging.

Tesla has done a lot of snow testing over the years to improve how its vehicles perform there. Most recently the testing was done in New Zealand.

The winter testing that Tesla conducts with their vehicles under real-world conditions allows it’s engineers to fine-tune the parameters for maximum efficiency. 

The drivetrain and control systems are also optimised during this process to ensure that electric vehicles perform well in icy and snowy conditions.

With Australia’s best-selling EV the Tesla Model 3, the EV-only brand began snow-testing its affordable vehicles in New Zealand over five years ago as seen in a video from over five years ago.

In the video, a left-hand drive Tesla is seen testing in snowy conditions around New Zealand. It’s good to see Tesla continue this testing as late as last year.

Electric vehicles have proven to do more than just drive in snow with the latest video showcasing towing a larger higher riding ute like the Rivian R1T out of an embankment.

We are likely to see more of this with the launch of the upcoming Cybertruck which combines the best of both worlds to tow even more towing grunt – over 6 Tonne from some figures previously posted. Now that’s something to look forward to.

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