Temperature effect on range

[ClassESage]

I had gotten used to GOM (and real range performance) in the 65+/-3 miles (2.3 m/kWh) over the past 2.5 months, with temperatures mostly in the teens, 20's and 30's. The last two days have been in the 40's and the GOM is reading 77 (>2.7 m/kWh)! Are others seeing a similar late-winter improvement (e.g. in the mid-Atlantic)?

 

[Electrons]

We had temps in the 70s here in NC today. There are still snow drifts sitting around from a couple of weeks ago, so this is a drastic upswing.

My mileage has similarly dramatically improved. GOM said 78 today, and I got 3.1 mpKwh on my commute. What a relief - I figured it was going to improve, but I had kind of steeled myself in the back of my mind to continue expecting range in the mid-low 60s (according to GOM, anyway - I have an 8-mile commute and rarely stress my range).

 

[ClassESage]

We had temps in the 70s here in NC today. There are still snow drifts sitting around from a couple of weeks ago, so this is a drastic upswing.

Maryland is probably a few weeks behind NC. So. California envy is melting away...!

 

[JeffRay]

In NYC, my mpKh has jumped from 1.2 to 1.3 this week. Same use, urban stop and go traffic. Headed to dealer this morning to charge, park, coffee, pastry, and free shuttle ride and car wash.

 

[ClassESage]

Warmed up to the 50s this morning and 60's this afternoon. My efficiency increased to 3.0-3.1 m/kWh during regular commute (~50/50 city/highway) which has averaged ~2.3 m/kWh over Jan-mid March. Range is predicted to be about 100 miles, GOM reads 77 miles.

Unfortunately, the weather is predicted to cool off again tomorrow.

 

[JeffRay]

Yesterday, last night, and today, it was warmer in NYC and topped out around 60. As a result, mpkWh has risen to 1.7 in urban stop and go traffic. This is very encouraging given cold weather performance. Fully expect to start getting what our west coast buddies have been getting. Spring is around the corner.

 

[ClassESage]

Yesterday, last night, and today, it was warmer in NYC and topped out around 60. As a result, mpkWh has risen to 1.7 in urban stop and go traffic. This is very encouraging given cold weather performance. Fully expect to start getting what our west coast buddies have been getting. Spring is around the corner.

Got the best efficiency so far on my commute this morning--3.4 mpkWh at 54 F (50-50 city-highway 34 mph average speed).

What is your average speed for city driving in NYC?

 

[JeffRay]

In the urban environment, where I mostly use it, I average 8 miles per hour. Today, I am ranging out to NJ and expect to average 40 mph and around 3 mpKwh on the highways.

 

[ClassESage]

We got 3.9 mpkWh @ 29 mph and 64 F on our commute. Steady improvement from the 2.1 mpkWh figure this winter. Wondering how much further improvement is possible?

 

[ClassESage]

3.7 mpkWh @ 61 F and 27 mph commute today...

 

[ClassESage]

Finally got up to 87 on the GOM will full charge with 3.5-3.9 mpkWh efficiency during the recent mild weather in Maryland. Plotted some of my commuting data, suggesting that 4 mpkWh may be achieved at around 65-70 F.

 

[JeffRay]

ClassESage, impressive.

 

[Stretch2727]

Assume this is from the readout on the dash.

Reality is 1.1 - 1.2 times above this so prettying impressive for warm weather.

If you take the 50 degree point of about 3.1 mpKwh. The car itself is achieving about 3.5 -3.7 mpKwh, as the readout is low and possibly adjusting for the losses due to charging. (Documented elsewhere on this forum.) This equates to a range of 98 - 104 miles @ 50 degrees!

If you hit 4.0 the range is about 123 miles on a standard charge!

 

[JeffRay]

Still driving in an urban environment. Peeked at dashboard today and saw I am up to 2.4 mpKwh now that temperatures are downright balmy (vs. 1.2 mpKwh in winter). That computes to roughly a 62.4 mile range (no range extender). Higher of course if I ventured onto the highway but I rarely do in this car.

 

[ClassESage]

Still driving in an urban environment. Peeked at dashboard today and saw I am up to 2.4 mpKwh now that temperatures are downright balmy (vs. 1.2 mpKwh in winter). That computes to roughly a 62.4 mile range (no range extender). Higher of course if I ventured onto the highway but I rarely do in this car.

That's great improvement. On highway, we have gotten 4.1-4.3 mpkWh recently. Temperatures are around high 60's. Anyone know what temperature will result in max?

 

[JeffRay]

Wow, I would guess you are near max as at some point, the air conditioner will begin to erode range.

 

[rdavis0521]

It seems that AC use has very little effect on range. I've gone 100 miles on a regular charge, using the AC the whole way. In comparison however, the heater will suck your battery dry much more quickly.

 

[Stretch2727]

At some point, at high temperatures, energy will also be used to cool the battery and the efficiency will begin to degrade whether you use the AC or not. Not sure exactly what temperature this is but I would guess around 90 deg F based on other EV's and what I have read.

Keep plotting so we get an idea of this temperature is on the MB.

I am regularly seeing 3.3-3.4 mi/Kwh on my commute. Mostly suburban back roads, but numerous stops and starts.

 

[wtzouris]

The AC has little or no effect on efficiency it seems. I am getting 3.0 mpkWh on the dashboard (3.6 mpkWh actual) in 80 degree weather with 60 miles traveled. (100 mile range) But usually I drive in a spirited way on the way home and it's more like a 91 mile range.

 

[TonyWilliams]

The battery heater will come on when cold, and decrease your efficiency. It doesn't come on when warm.