Pilot study aims to better understand parked battery energy use and improve electric vehicle efficiency.

The UC Davis EV Research Center is recruiting Tesla owners to participate in a pilot study examining how much battery energy electric vehicles consume while parked—a little-studied factor that may influence real-world driving range and the future of EV efficiency.

Researchers are investigating one of the persistent barriers to wider electric vehicle adoption: vehicle range. While EV performance on the road has been extensively studied, far less is known about how much battery power is used when vehicles are parked but continue operating background systems such as remote connectivity, battery management, climate control, and other onboard features.

To address this knowledge gap, the research team is measuring the hourly energy consumption of these systems under real-world conditions. The pilot study is currently limited to Tesla vehicles, and researchers are looking for volunteer owners to contribute data using a simple survey and guided data collection process.

How Tesla Owners Can Participate

Tesla owners who would like to contribute to the study can sign up using the pilot participation form below:

Pilot Study Registration Form

Participants will receive instructions and a brief questionnaire explaining how to collect and submit their data. The study is designed to gather information from a variety of Tesla models and operating conditions, helping researchers build a more complete picture of parked energy use.

The data collected will help researchers better understand battery energy losses across different vehicles and conditions, providing insights that could inform future battery management strategies, vehicle design, and consumer education.

About the UC Davis EV Research Center

Established in 2007 with support from the California Energy Commission, the UC Davis EV Research Center has spent nearly two decades advancing research on plug-in and electric vehicles. The center collaborates with California utilities, automakers, regulators, and leading research institutions to better understand the rapidly evolving EV market and support the transition to cleaner transportation.

Its research focuses on real-world electric vehicle use, including consumer behavior, charging infrastructure, battery performance, impacts on the electrical grid, and policies that encourage sustainable and equitable EV adoption. By measuring how drivers use electric vehicles in everyday conditions, the center helps identify opportunities to improve vehicle performance, charging practices, and the overall ownership experience.

Whether you own a Tesla or simply support research that advances clean transportation, this study represents an opportunity to contribute to the next generation of electric vehicle knowledge. Every participant helps expand the understanding of real-world battery performance and supports research that can improve electric vehicles.