In a couple of threads recently people have been talking about the difference between the S60 and S85. As far as I can tell, the only difference is the battery pack, right? the same inverter, the same motor, and all the same aerodynamics?
The 60 kWh car is 4,407 pounds to the 85 kWh car's 4,630 according to this thread:
Just saying hello! New 60 on order. Late Jun 2014 delivery - Page 5
Given that, I'd expect the 5% lighter 60 kWh car to be a couple percent more efficient, mostly in the city. Also, I know that the 85 kWh cars currently include a tire upgrade that's said to extend range by 3%.
Here's the EPA data for the two - I'm not positive exactly how the test cars were configured:
Compare Side-by-Side
The 60 kWh car is around 7% more efficient, and more on the freeway than the city according to the EPA. Not what I was expecting at all.
So two questions: First, does real world experience match the EPA data - is the 60 kWh car using almost 10% less electricity to cover similar drives?
Second, does anyone have an explanation for why the 60 kWh car is more efficient? It seems to be a much larger factor than the weight difference should produce.
Walter
The 60 kWh car is 4,407 pounds to the 85 kWh car's 4,630 according to this thread:
Just saying hello! New 60 on order. Late Jun 2014 delivery - Page 5
Given that, I'd expect the 5% lighter 60 kWh car to be a couple percent more efficient, mostly in the city. Also, I know that the 85 kWh cars currently include a tire upgrade that's said to extend range by 3%.
Here's the EPA data for the two - I'm not positive exactly how the test cars were configured:
Compare Side-by-Side
The 60 kWh car is around 7% more efficient, and more on the freeway than the city according to the EPA. Not what I was expecting at all.
So two questions: First, does real world experience match the EPA data - is the 60 kWh car using almost 10% less electricity to cover similar drives?
Second, does anyone have an explanation for why the 60 kWh car is more efficient? It seems to be a much larger factor than the weight difference should produce.
Walter