Chicago’s sub-zero temperatures have caused chaos for electric vehicle (EV) owners, with Tesla supercharger stations struggling to charge cars. Extreme cold slowed battery reactions, reducing range and making fast charging nearly impossible.

Long lines and abandoned EVs highlighted the frustration, with one resident lamenting, “Nothing. No juice.” An Uber driver described his ordeal, saying, “It takes two hours to charge, and the range drops quickly.”

Mark Bilek from the Chicago Auto Trade Association urged owners to learn about preconditioning batteries to optimize charging in cold weather, reminding us that navigating new technology requires adaptation.