The Polestar 2 was one of the most resilient vehicles against its official range estimate in the Canadian Automobile Association’s 2025 cold-weather EV test: it traveled 384 km, 14% less than the 444 km Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) range CAA used for comparison. That was among the smallest percentage shortfalls in the test, not the longest distance traveled. The result applies to CAA’s one test route and conditions—not to every Polestar 2 or driver.
How far did the Polestar 2 go in CAA’s winter test?
CAA measured 384 km for the Polestar 2, against an NRCan official range of 444 km, a 14% shortfall. The 444 km figure is the official value reproduced in CAA’s results; it is not a separate winter measurement. CAA reported that vehicles in the test traveled 14% to 39% less than their official ranges. CAA’s 2025 winter EV test results
CAA drove from Ottawa to Mont-Tremblant in temperatures between −7 and −15 °C, using a route that included highway driving and winding back roads. Vehicles were driven until their batteries ran out of charge. CAA said the test covered 14 EVs, including seven of Canada’s ten top-selling EVs.
Why the result was a surprise—and what it does not mean
The Polestar’s standout feature was its relatively small gap from the official estimate, not an absolute-distance win. It ranked third for total distance in CAA’s results. The Chevrolet Silverado EV also had a 14% shortfall and traveled 456 km, farther than the Polestar. CAA’s table shows the Tesla Model 3 traveled the most, at 410 km, while coming in 30% below its official range.
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Those numbers answer two different questions: how far a vehicle went on the test route, and how closely that distance matched its published range. CAA says Canadian posted EV range figures are year-round averages, so they should not be expected to match a winter road test directly. The Polestar’s 384 km is a result from this particular drive, not a guaranteed winter range. The cited results do not establish the tested Polestar 2’s exact model year or trim, or how much results might vary across repeated drives, versions, routes, climates, speeds, or drivers.
How the test compared the vehicles
| Vehicle | Distance in CAA test | Difference from official range |
|---|---|---|
| Polestar 2 | 384 km | 14% below |
| Chevrolet Silverado EV | 456 km | 14% below |
| Tesla Model 3 | 410 km | 30% below |
These are CAA’s reported results for its Ottawa-to-Mont-Tremblant test, not predictions for other winter journeys. For a useful comparison, consider distance traveled alongside percentage shortfall and the conditions under which each figure was recorded.
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CAA’s separate Polestar 2 charging result
In a separate entry in its EV Buyer’s Guide, CAA lists the Polestar 2 as adding 120 km in 40 minutes at 94 kW. That charging figure is a distinct metric from the winter range result and does not describe every charger or charging session. CAA EV Buyer’s Guide
What Canadian EV drivers said about range estimates
A 2025 report of the 2024 PlugShare–CAA Canadian EV Driver Study offers survey context, not another vehicle test. The survey collected responses from EV drivers between October 3 and 22, 2024. Among BEV drivers answering about cold-weather estimates, 31% said the official estimate was much lower than their actual range, while 45% said it was somewhat lower. For warm-weather estimates, 6% said much lower and 32% said somewhat lower. These percentages describe respondent views, not the share of EVs that lose a given amount of range. 2024 PlugShare–CAA Canadian EV Driver Study
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CAA’s call for winter range information
Ian Jack, CAA National’s vice-president of public affairs, said the test results highlight the importance of comparing EV range figures when winter performance matters. CAA has also called for a standardized Canadian EV label that includes winter driving performance rather than relying on a single average. That is CAA’s proposal, not an adopted national standard.
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