Tesla has introduced a new feature in its smartphone app designed to help electric vehicle (EV) owners mitigate the issue of phantom battery drain. This update aims to preserve battery life and reduce range loss caused by idle tasks.
Phantom battery drain, a common issue among EV owners, refers to the range loss that occurs when a vehicle performs tasks while idle. Tesla vehicles, for instance, often run Sentry Mode, which uses external cameras to monitor the surroundings and has been identified as a significant contributor to range loss.
New Version Detected: 4.35.0
Changelog is:
To conserve the vehicle's battery, the app only wakes it when you send a command— Tesla App Updates (iOS) (@Tesla_App_iOS) July 17, 2024
In addition to Sentry Mode, Tesla’s smartphone app has also been a factor in this issue, leading to frustration among owners who experience range loss even when their vehicle is not in use. To address this, Tesla is rolling out an update with App version 4.35.0.
The update release notes state: “To conserve the vehicle’s battery, the app only wakes it when you send a command.”
While EV owners can charge their vehicles at home and gain range, there are situations where conserving every mile is crucial. This update is expected to alleviate “range anxiety” by ensuring that the car’s battery is only used for necessary tasks.
By limiting idle wake-ups, Tesla aims to enhance the overall ownership experience and provide a more efficient use of the vehicle’s battery.
