Has anyone figured out the Electric/Gas $ break even point for the Clarity?

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by Mark W, Jan 21, 2019.

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  1. RW5207

    RW5207 New Member

    Something else to consider: The cost of wear and tear on the engine. I would argue there is an X% difference in TCO between an ICE and electric motor. Many more moving parts and controls on the ICE. Maybe 10%? Not to mention those times you have to stop at the gas station and fill up the 7 gallon tank (which always makes me smile). You know...when it all goes to zero? ClarityRangeZero.jpg
     
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  3. The Gadgeteer

    The Gadgeteer Active Member

    It is probably not the best thing to do to run to zero gas.
     
  4. RW5207

    RW5207 New Member

    Couldn't possibly be zero, because it was still running! Sometimes you gotta' ask yourself..."Do you feel lucky?"
     
  5. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    Somebody! Throw this man a live preserver, er, extension cord!
     
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  6. David in TN

    David in TN Well-Known Member

    I think I have the best possible situation -- my wife pays our home electric bill. I can charge for free at one of my work places.

    Current electric rate is about $0.09 kwh. Gas is $1.89 gallon.

    I'm about 2200 miles. I've spent $42 on gas and have more than half tank remaining.

    My previous Honda, I was averaging $130 per month in gas.

    (( happy dance ))

    Sent from my SM-N960U using Inside EVs mobile app
     
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  8. Robin

    Robin Member

     
  9. Mariner91

    Mariner91 Member

    First off, thank you for this! I've done my own calcs but didn't think to graph it lol

    Question: on battery size; should this be adjusted for the efficiency loss? Something like 20% for L1, and 10% for L2? So our 17 kWh capacity should be 21.25 (L1) - 18.89 (L2)? I've been using 20 kWh for my calcs.
     
  10. izudin

    izudin Member

    MA
    In principle it should be adjusted for the losses, but I think these number should be lower than what you have suggested.
    I will also modify the spreadsheet adding charger efficiency factor as the input parameter.

    I will monitor how much AC energy I use for charging between different battery states (with Honda provided L1 charger) for some time to determine what that factor would be for that charger.
     
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  11. The Gadgeteer

    The Gadgeteer Active Member

    I will double check by putting a meter on the plug of the charging cord the next time I do a full charge but I believe a charge from "empty" 2 bars on a 120 volt cord is about 14 WK. Remember the battery never fully depletes to prolong the battery life.
     
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  13. JCA

    JCA Active Member

    I was going to ask about that -- I understand the battery is marketed as 17kWh, but unless Honda actually put a higher capacity physical battery, they have to be basing the 47 mile electric range on the usable portion of the battery (i.e. from "charging stops" to "car stops running in EV-only mode"), which is probably closer to 14-15kWh. That would put EV driving at 45/15 (to make the math easier!) or 3.0 miles/kWh. Anyone with a cumulative kWh display on their EVSE should be able to measure their actual MPkWh over a few trip types to get the real number.

    Similarly, you have to measure your MPG, which is harder to do on a plug-in hybrid, but can be done in HV mode or by filling up when the EV range is 0, driving a few trips, and filling up again.

    If we assume 40MPG on gas, at $3/gallon that should be $.075/mile. Electricity assuming 3.0MPkWh at $.225/kWh cost would also be $.075/mile.

    Disclaimer: I don't have a Clarity yet (need to test drive and decide whether I want to go that way or a more "fun" manual transmission Civic), but find these threads very helpful and have been running numbers myself. Lucky to have a reasonable rate here for overnight charging ($.10/kWh); in fact anything except 5-8PM weekdays ($.28/kWh then) might still be a win for charging.
     
  14. izudin

    izudin Member

    MA
    I have added input fields for entering a charger efficiency, for both primary and secondary charging locations.
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/114yqwA4tl6sNXdoIgwcsZd6JNAX8M3Lz/view?usp=drivesdk
     
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