Low Power Mode is expected to roll out to customers soon
Tesla is always looking for ways to optimize its vehicles via software updates, and we imagine most owners will appreciate a new feature designed to conserve as much energy as possible when the vehicle is parked.
It’s called Low Power Mode, and it will possibly be introduced to Tesla’s broader customer base with the 2025.32 software update that’s coming in a few weeks. Since an EV continues drawing a small amount of battery power when parked, the Low Power Mode reduces this, so can be beneficial when your car is parking for longer than usual, such as when standing at an airport. It does come with one security risk, though.
Why Does Your Tesla Still Draw Power When Parked?
Even though the electric motors aren’t propelling the vehicle, there are still several features that consume a small amount of power when your Tesla is switched off. Also known as “vampire drain” on the battery, functions like Summon Standby, Cabin Overheat Protection, and Scheduled Preconditioning can all use some power when the car is parked.
Wes Morrell, the Cybertruck’s lead engineer, tweeted that he’s currently trying out the new Low Power Mode while traveling, which can be activated via the mobile app. Unfortunately, Morrell confirmed that Low Power Mode is not compatible with Sentry Mode, a security feature that many Tesla owners consider important as it monitors the car’s surroundings. Morrell says Sentry Mode requires the low/mid voltage bus to be up. That, along with the need to process information from the cameras, means that Sentry Mode isn’t a low power system.
There are other advantages if you know your car is parked in a safe place, though. Low Power Mode can be automatically switched on at a desired battery percentage, another useful feature in case you rush out for an extended trip and forget to switch off some of the car’s energy-draining features.
Wes Morrell/Twitter
Tesla says that its EVs will lose approximately 1% of its charge per day when parked, and that figure can rise under certain conditions. It hasn’t said how much longer it will take to lose that 1% with Low Power Mode switched on, but we expect the first batch of drivers to report back on this soon.
How Else Can You Save Battery Power?
Tesla
If you want to achieve peak efficiency in your Tesla, or if you simply want to see how far you can push the limits on a full charge, there are several other ways to do so besides using the new Low Power Mode.
Engaging regenerative braking to recoup energy and avoiding rapid blasts of acceleration can improve efficiency and range, as can reducing your average speed during longer trips. Chill Mode can help with this, as it results in smoother, more gentle getaways that consume less energy. When the car is plugged in, preconditioning the battery and cabin uses grid power, not battery power, also saving some range.
Tesla also recommends maintaining correct tire pressures, removing unnecessary cargo from the trunk or frunk, and setting the air suspension to the Low or Very Low settings at highway speeds, assuming you have a Tesla with air suspension.
About the author
Karl Furlong
Senior Editor, Autoblog