EV Range and battery capacity

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by su_A_ve, Jan 16, 2019.

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  1. su_A_ve

    su_A_ve Active Member

    I know the battery size is 17kWh. In the past I would be able to charge from empty (or zero EV) a good 14.8kWh but lately my EV range has dropped down to 31 and noticed that a full charge from zero is only 13.5kWh

    I know that cold weather can put a toll on range but why would a full charge be less?

    Could the software upgrades maybe affected this? Cause it seems like total battery capacity is now less.

    TIA.
     
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  3. Jordan

    Jordan Member

    My friend who has driven an electric car for many years told me that the battery can't charge fully in cold weather. Your numbers seem to back that up.
     
  4. jray19

    jray19 Member

    I'm getting this type of kW from empty this time of year outdoor temps are in the 25-35 range most evenings. Garage is a bit warmer.
    Date KWh added from Empty base on stats from my JuiceBox Pro. This is what is pulled from the wall so as I understand it the batter may get 90-95% of that.
    18-Dec 13.83
    3-Jan 13.81
    4-Jan 13.86
    8-Jan 13.83
    14-Jan 13.57
    16-Jan 13.57
     
  5. ClarityDoc

    ClarityDoc Active Member

    Charging is slower at colder temps; faster charging can be less efficient (greater thermal losses, for example). Is it possible that the draw is reduced but the resulting stored & available charge is the same?
     
  6. Dan Albrich

    Dan Albrich Well-Known Member

    My own Clarity has perhaps unusually poor range. I get estimate EV range of 26 miles presently, and actually hit zero in less than 20 actual miles.
    So I'm burning gas daily even with an average total mileage of 20 miles. The worst part in my case is that when EV range shows zero, I get a very high pitched engine sound, like winding out a manual transmission stuck in 1st gear, some call 'angry bees' every time my range hits zero.

    I've learned to turn up the radio. Despite the sound, the car continues to have reasonable power. It is much less than when all electric of course, but not terrible. If I leave the heater off completely, I can get estimated range of about 28-30 miles. But it's not worth it. I just run the heater, and subsequently burn gas even during the week. I presume my range will improve with better (warmer) weather.

    When I bought the car in September and temps were much warmer, I was seeing the 47 estimated EV miles.

    -Dan
     
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  8. KentuckyKen

    KentuckyKen Well-Known Member

    It’s the dirty little secret of EVs:
    Cold weather causes reduced battery capability and coupled with the surprisingly high energy demands of the resistance elements of the heater and defroster result in lower EV range that can be quite significant as the temps plummet.
    You’ll never hear a salesman say “It’s a great car, you just won’t get near as many electric miles in winter.” (Assuming they even know that much about the Clarity.)
     
  9. MNSteve

    MNSteve Well-Known Member

    Yet another reason to hate Winter.

    Yes, I also expect my EV range to return to the almost-50 range in the same timeframe that I'll be able to go putter in the garden.
     
  10. LAF

    LAF Active Member

    Last night I fully charged our Clarity in 8 1/2 hrs (37 miles) in 15-25 F temps (which fortunately allowed me to prewarm the car from 20F to 47 in 20 min.
     
  11. LAF

    LAF Active Member

    level 1 charging of course
     
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  13. AnthonyW

    AnthonyW Well-Known Member

    Is everyone check their tire pressure a couple of times a month. Being down 2 or 3 psi can take a huge tool in range.


    Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
     
    Steven B and insightman like this.
  14. su_A_ve

    su_A_ve Active Member

    I've added an external TPMS system. Had to add air when temps started to dip to the low 30s.
     
  15. jdonalds

    jdonalds Well-Known Member

    Why so poor Dan? Do you live in a very cold climate? Are you running the climate system? Do you precondition the car?
     

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