How to improve range performance?

[jlucero]

sorry if this has been rehashed before, but i usually dont drive alot so its usually not on my radar.

anyhow, was traveling long distance today and noticed that my full tank range was 230 miles. as i drove more and more, i noticed that the range was losing mileage alot. so for example, i drove 50 miles, and the expected mileage left would be 180miles, but instead it would be 165. so i lost 15 miles...as i drove more and more, i would lose more and more. so eventually as i drove 150 miles, one would expect 80 miles left, but it would be 30 miles left. the weather was raining alot of the way, temperature was around 70 degrees.

i was driving at freeway speeds of 60-70mph, and AC was run on low, nothing crazy.

what else can i do to get the expected range as close to advertised as possible?

 

[mwulff]

Rain will suck more energy out of the battery than a dry road. Also speed is the range killer number 1. If you want to have the "rated range" you need to be consuming 265 wh/mile driven. Then the number on your dashboard will match the number of miles driven 1:1.

Slowing down is what will make the biggest difference. Also maintaining a constant speed and observing normal hypermiling techniques.

I keep the "Trip" display on the right side of the instrument cluster so I always know what my wh/Mi is.

Hope that helps.

 

[David_Cary]

265 wh/mile is not the rated range number.

Sounds like he might be a 70D when 280 is about the magic number. It varies based on model and 70D is the lowest (at least in this situation).

Range mode? That is worth up to 5% probably. Make sure it is turned on.

Heavy rain is huge. 21 inch tires are big energy killers. Underinflated tires hurt and the alarm is based on when safety is an issue not efficiency. New car/tires - 3% hit. Takes a couple thousand miles to break those in.

And of course - speed. In a 70D, I can hit rated range at 70 degrees at about 70 mph.

 

[ecarfan]

as i drove more and more, i would lose more and more. so eventually as i drove 150 miles, one would expect 80 miles left, but it would be 30 miles left. the weather was raining alot of the way, temperature was around 70 degrees.
i was driving at freeway speeds of 60-70mph, and AC was run on low, nothing crazy.

Driving in rain decreases range. I suspect you also had a significant headwind (which you may not have even noticed), which also has a big impact on range. Just those two things can cut your range by a third.
Did you gain elevation on your route?
Do you have 21" tires? Are your tires properly inflated?
A/C doesn't make much difference.
The Rated Range number can be achieved in good weather, no headwind, level road, 19" tires at 45psi, steady speed around 65mph.

 

[taurusking]

Driving in rain decreases range. I suspect you also had a significant headwind (which you may not have even noticed), which also has a big impact on range. Just those two things can cut your range by a third.
Did you gain elevation on your route?
Do you have 21" tires? Are your tires properly inflated?
A/C doesn't make much difference.
The Rated Range number can be achieved in good weather, no headwind, level road, 19" tires at 45psi, steady speed around 65mph.

+1 to this..

Also if you are driving and you are calculating rated range like what you mentioned then make sure you are not hard on the accelerator.

if the numbers are not adding up...then Wh/ mile consumption is high..

Search the forum for hypermiling techniques..

 

[Cyclone]

First, let's note that Euro-spec cars' rated ranged (for Denmark/Danmark) and US-spec are different. On my US S85, it's 300 Wh/mi, which I can generally get at 55 mph and occasionally beat if road conditions are good.

As others have said, headwinds and rain will significantly impact your range, as well other characteristics (such as tire pressure).

 

[Twiglett]

range of any vehicle is most directly impacted by your right foot :biggrin:
Accelleration, speed, conservation of momentum, regen where practical and adapting to the driving conditions.
All of these impact all cars equally, its just that in EV's we have the instrumentation to accurately display that data.

 

[jlucero]

thanks all, to answer a few questions,

1. i do have a 70D
2. i do have 20 inch aftermarket wheels, ADV1s, staggered
3. air pressure on each wheel was 39 or 40 (so a bit low)
4. it was raining and windy all throughout the ride, so is suspect that is the huge component of it

So what kwh should i be aiming for to make it 1:1?

 

[stevezzzz]

So what kwh should i be aiming for to make it 1:1?

In the 70D, it's about 280 Wh/mi.