> The fact is he basically was stupid enough to essentially leave a gas station with half a tank when he had a full tanks worth of distance to travel.
Part of the problem is that apparently the Tesla's displayed range can show one value after a cold night, then will increase when the battery warms up and is providing more energy. So you legitimately can start driving with too little range, and then it will come back. I assume that's why the Tesla rep cleared it too.
You would think the range calculations would account for that effect. They already have temperature sensors in the pack, and storing some historical data is cheap.
The batteries do have a reduced capacity when cold, so the range calculation is accurate. Tesla can only unofficially expect the range to recover, not guarantee it.
Part of the problem is that apparently the Tesla's displayed range can show one value after a cold night, then will increase when the battery warms up and is providing more energy. So you legitimately can start driving with too little range, and then it will come back. I assume that's why the Tesla rep cleared it too.