Owners who have a Tesla electric car and reside in Texas, United States, are facing a serious problem. In the midst of a heat wave, Tesla is asking to limit the charging of its vehicles in order to prevent the entire electrical system from falling.
The Texas state power grid It doesn’t exactly have the best of reputations, especially at certain times of the year when adverse weather events occur. Huge blizzards in winter or extreme heat waves in summer, the energy infrastructure of the star state faces extreme situations on many occasions that put the electrical system at risk. And now, as if that were not enough, we must add the huge number of electric cars that circulate on Texas roads.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) announced days ago that six of its power generation facilities went offline due to a spike in demand amid a heat wave. During the power outage, the six stations would have produced enough electricity to supply more than half a million homes. The Electric car maker Tesla, whose headquarters is now in Texas, asked owners of its vehicles to limit charging.
Tesla’s recommendation to limit the charge of its electric cars
Tesla has asked owners of its electric cars to avoid recharging the battery during peak hours. of demand to avoid a further increase in electricity demand.
The owner of a Tesla electric has published on the network the notice issued by the brand and displayed on the vehicle’s screen: «A heat wave is expected to affect the network in Texas during the next few days. The grid operator recommends avoiding loads during peak hours between 3 PM and 8 PM, if possible, to help state efforts manage demand.”
This recommendation is not only charge the battery during off-peak hoursalso means adjust driving habits, maybe reduce driving in general or not use the climate control as much. All this, as we have rightly pointed out, in a context of a heat wave.
The Popularity of the Electric Car in Texas
Texas is home to the third largest number of registered electric cars in the United States. In the event that most owners pay attention to the recommendation issued by the brand, it will be interesting to see what effects it has on the electrical system.
Font: The Drive