Tesla Model 3 roof rack - energy consumption and impact on range [video]

Bjorn Nyland tested the power consumption of the Tesla Model 3 with a roof rack and the cabin noise when driving on the highway. However, before he even experimented, he discovered that installing the rack on the roof of the Model 3 was a risky business - the glass surface broke near the attachment of one of the railings.

Roof rack and energy consumption in Tesla Model 3

Table of contents

• Roof rack and energy consumption in Tesla Model 3
  • Tesla Model 3 and roof rack: energy consumption increased by 13,5 percent, range decreased by about 12 percent

With a loop length of 8,3 km - and therefore not very large - the car consumed the following amount of energy:

• 17,7 kWh / 100 km (177 kWh / km) at 80 km / h
• 21,1 kWh / 100 km (211 kWh / km) at 100 km / h
• He abandoned the 120 km / h test due to a cracked roof.

After removing the trunk, but with a railing on the roof, the car used up accordingly:

• 15,6 kWh / 100 km at 80 km / h,
• 18,6 kWh / 100 km at 100 km / h.

In the first case, the increase in energy consumption was 13,5 percent, in the second - 13,4 percent, so we can assume that at low highway speeds it will be about 13,5 percent, provided that the trunk is designed for the Tesla Model 3. Universal options can be slightly more stable due to additional adjustment screws.

Tesla Model 3 and roof rack: energy consumption increased by 13,5 percent, range decreased by about 12 percent

Based on this, it is easy to calculate that a roof rack will reduce the range by about 12 percent... So if we travel 500 kilometers on one charge, then with a trunk we will only cover 440 kilometers.

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If our Tesla travels 450 kilometers on battery, then with a roof rack it will be only 396 kilometers. However, if it is cold and the range is reduced to 400 kilometers, then with a roof rack it will be about 352 kilometers.

The faster we move, the greater the loss of range, because air resistance increases in proportion to the square of the speed.

At the same time, according to Nyland's measurements, the installation of the rack created additional noise from the roof area in the cab. However, the difference was not very big, compared to driving without a trunk, it was 1,2-1,6 dB - but it was also noticeable on the video.

As for the cracked roof: Presumably, it was damaged before the trunk was installed, and the car also had a scheduled service visit to replace it.

Worth Watching:

All photos in the article: (c) Bjorn Nyland / YouTube

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