I have a Model Y LR
Just to keep things simple, from 90% charged to 10%, I'm getting around 250-270 km (155-167 miles). Is this normal? I'm still trying to learn all these wh/km, energy graph stuff but let me know if you need more info.
The car is rated at 525 km (326 miles), maybe in the Summer, I'll get close to that? I picked up my car in the fall so I never experience the range in hot weather. How much can I expect the range to improve in the Summer?
Thanks
What size wheels? Winter tires or All-Season tires? Be honest, how fast do you like to drive on the highway?
There are multiple travel log videos of Model Ys being driven at a constant (112km/h (70mph), achieving a range of over 450km (280miles), in moderate temperatures.
The following will determine your driving efficiency, what you can do to mitigate the impact on range.
Outside air temperature - Precondition the vehicle while still plugged in for 20 or 30 minutes before you drive. Minimize the use of the cabin heat, rely on dressing warmly and using the seat heaters. The Model Y's HVAC uses a heat pump, this will reduce the amount of power needed to keep the cabin warm. In one recent test in Norway a Model Y used 10Wh more energy per mile than when the HVAC was turned off. This compared to a Model 3 (not equipped with a heat pump) using 20Wh more energy per mile than when the Model 3's HVAC was turned off. So expect the heat pump to be 2X as efficient as the heat in the Model 3. Still, 10Wh per miles adds up on longer trips.
Driving speed - Nothing new here. Drive at under 65mph, faster than that and your Wh/mi rises quickly and your range drops quickly as your speed increases.
Terrain - If your route includes changes in elevation this will impact range. Regenerative braking will recovery some of the energy used while climbing but will only recover 60 to 70% when you descend.
Tires - Keep your tires inflated to at least the recommended tire pressure displayed on the label on the vehicle's A pillar by the driver's seat; Check, set tire pressure when the tires are cold. Winter tires are less efficient than All Season tires or Low Rolling Resistance (LRR) tires. Larger wheels 20", 21" use a bit more energy than smaller 19" wheels.
Keep the vehicle clean - There is a reason that airlines regularly wash their planes, not just to deice the wings; it saves fuel. Mythbusters performed a test of driving a passenger vehicle that was covered in a layer of dirt versus the same vehicle once it had been washed; the difference was significant.
Cargo - Don't carry excess weight; bring only what you need.
When determining your driving efficiency and estimate your drivng range you need to drive the same route, in both directions, under similar temperatures, traffic and road surface conditions; then average the resulting Wh/mi numbers.
The original EPA range estimate for the Long Range Model Y was 316mi (508km), since updated to 326 mi (524km). The original range works out to 74kWh/316mi for 234Wh/mi; The updated range of 326 miles works out to 227Wh/mi. Achieving these numbers requires significant attention to speed, minimal use of the HVAC system. More typical Wh/mi that most drivers would achieve would be between 240Wh/mi and 290Wh/mi, 308 miles and 255 miles (281mi, 450km average range.)
Imagine taking a 300 mile trip in a conventional vehicle that is powered by a gas engine, carrying only a little more than 2 gallons of fuel in the fuel tank. Everything would matter; including how many bugs were splattered on the windshield if you expect to be able to drive that many miles using only 2 gallons of gas. That is essentially what you are doing when you attempt to achieve the EPA range estimate in a Model Y.
