Father Christmas spotted charging his new Tesla Model 3 as he prepares for his busiest time of year
Auto Trader supports his switch to electric as the 2030 deadline on buying new petrol and diesel vehicles approaches
Father Christmas sells his old sleigh on Auto Trader here: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/farm-machinery-details/202412067059442?journey=TpfCola

9th December 2024, London: Father Christmas is proving that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand. Together with Auto Trader, he has swapped his iconic sleigh for a high-performance electric vehicle, showing the world that even Father Christmas can embrace the future of electric without losing his magic touch.

Father Christmas was spotted in Oxford’s Redbridge Park and Ride (one of the biggest charging centres in the UK), charging his brand-new Tesla Model 3 in preparation for his busiest time of year. The sighting came just days after his centuries-old sleigh was listed on Auto Trader, the UK’s largest automotive marketplace. The listing highlighted its unique features, including no MOT requirement, ample storage space, and, of course, its legendary reindeer powered engine.

Thanks to Auto Trader, Father Christmas will be ready to cruise into the festive season in a red electric vehicle designed for speed, efficiency, and a touch of magic - all while still delivering presents in record time, without worrying about running out of battery.

As Father Christmas makes the move to electric, there was only one vehicle for him - the Tesla Model 3, equipped with a special “Santa Mode” that ensures the magic of his previous sleigh is never lost. The vehicle’s sleek design, complete with rear diffusers and “insane” mode for rapid acceleration, helps Father Christmas glide effortlessly through the night. However, the magic comes in the form of advanced tech, including a rear-seat entertainment system for his reindeer to enjoy a festive movie whilst he handles the wheel.

Rumour has it that Father Christmas’ final decision to turn electric came after reading Auto Trader’s collection of facts, helping drivers – or sleigh riders in this instance – feel confident in switching to an electric vehicle in the colder months, such as:

Driving in snow - electric cars are built in a way that means they may actually cope better on snowy roads than petrol or diesel cars do, perfect for changes in weather as Father Christmas travels across the UK
Heating tech - ‘preconditioning’ feature allows Father Christmas to preheat his car as he steps in and out of homes, simply using an app
Battery life - whilst you can expect to get fewer miles out of your electric car battery in cold weather due to the lithium-ion batteries, Auto Trader has plenty of tips to get more miles out of it: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/advice/electric-cars-in-winter

And to ensure Father Christmas can stay fully charged throughout the night, Auto Trader has mapped out the breakdown of charging spots per region, amongst the 72,594 points across the UK for consumers to replicate and feel reassured as they drive home for Christmas. This map ensures that Father Christmas can keep his Tesla fully charged and make sure all the children on the nice list wake up with presents under their tree.

We are thrilled to see that Father Christmas feels ready to make the switch to an electric vehicle this year with Auto Trader’s support. With fantastic driving experience, lower running costs (have you seen the price of carrots?) and a silent approach making roof landings all the more discreet, it’s surely a match made in heaven. This doesn’t have to be a Christmas miracle though – with electric cars now available at a broad range of prices, why not consider an electric vehicle as your next car, just as Father Christmas is doing.

Key spokesperson

Erin Baker

Auto Trader’s Editorial Director

CONNECT

Ho, ho, ho! As someone who is used to navigating the skies in a sleigh, making the switch to electric was a big decision. But thanks to Auto Trader, I felt completely at ease and well-informed every step of the way. I’m excited to bring more magic this Christmas with a greener, more sustainable approach.