1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Here’s how the EPA calculates how far an EV can go on a full charge

Discussion in 'EV (Electric Vehicle) Discussion' started by Trollbait, Jan 3, 2024.

  1. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    3,692
    1,644
    0
    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    So if one doesn't choose to latch into a mode that emphasizes performance, the numbers would be better? IOW, if the default is efficiency ....

    Does Tesla have modes?
     
  2. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2008
    6,233
    4,228
    1
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Yes, which is why I probably got EPA range or better in my 3. I always ran in 'Chill' mode.
     
    bwilson4web likes this.
  3. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    22,040
    11,510
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    I thought the latch rule drive modes was always around. I remember reading EPA testing was to be done in the mode the car defaults to on shut down.

    The real problem with Tesla's ranges, from consumer expectations point, was that they published the full charge range, but then- tell owners to only charge to 80%.
     
  4. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2008
    6,233
    4,228
    1
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I don’t see that as an issue.
    Tesla doesn’t “tell owners to only charge to 80%”. That is oversimplifying it.
    Tesla tells people that for battery longevity, don’t charge to 100% unless driving right away.
    They recommend charging to 80% for daily driving, unless more is needed.

    It is similar to how auto companies recommended letting the car warm up in cold weather for the health of the engine (prior to synthetic oil).

    The EPA allowed (and I believe still does) companies to use one of two methods. I hold that they should only allow one. This would eliminate a lot of confusion. I also believe Tesla would have been better off using the method that gave lower results.

    Edit*************
    I am unsure about older rules.
    It appears this was a letter “clarifying” the process. Here is the link:
    https://dis.epa.gov/otaqpub/display_file.jsp?docid=55592&flag=1

    I believe this is the meat of the matter:
    Oddly enough, the long range Model S ended up with a longer range.
     
    #24 Zythryn, Jan 8, 2024
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2024
  5. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    22,040
    11,510
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    I should have included my complete thoughts.

    Tesla using the full charge and choice of test method results in a range value like what is published for ICE cars. A range that is possible, but hard for many to reach. In the beginning, that wasn't a big deal as buyers had educated themselves about the cars and general nature of EVs and batteries. We are now past that. Tesla is now getting more buyers that don't dig that deep into the car they buy. So they are going to be disappointed that the 300 mile EV they bought only gets 240, or disappointed with the capacity loss from charging to 100% all the time.

    I'm not saying Tesla was wrong with their published range, just that they should have given more thought to managing customer expectations. This might not be the only area were they haven't done the best at that.

    Just remembered the bit about being in default drive mode being reported. Makes sense there were rules covering cars without a set default. I imagine Tesla wasn't the only one not following this rule precisely.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,690
    49,387
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    the epa should be setting the standard for range on the sticker based on battery percentage, not each company.
    gmdoes the same thing, 100%range
     
  7. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    3,692
    1,644
    0
    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited

    I think that is being a bit tough on a car maker.

    As a buyer, would I really be assuming that under every condition my range would never change? My MPG?

    Over the years I've gotten as low as 20% of EPA (race track) and as high as 130% (leisurely spring cruise at a steady 55 on flat roads with no traffic (remember when that was possible).

    I just don't see the Monroney sticker needing a list of 25 influencers.

    Vague thought ... Does a woman get different mileage when she wears high heals versus slippers?
     
  8. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    22,040
    11,510
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Manufacturers don't have to put the mpg test result on the window sticker. They can post a lower value. Some might do so to avoid bad press and upset customers.
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,690
    49,387
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you make way more money by sucking in new customers with false advertising than you do trying not to offend old ones
     
  10. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2008
    6,233
    4,228
    1
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Actually, it is typically the opposite.
    Holding onto customers is less costly than advertising, education, etc to bring in new customers.

    Slash and burn (burn your current customers) may work to prop up monthly numbers, or from the short term view of a sales rep. But for the managers, BOD and executives it definitely does not.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,690
    49,387
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you can't grow your business with current customers in the retail trade
     
  12. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2008
    6,233
    4,228
    1
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Absolutely, new customers are critical. But if you can get new and hold onto current customers, then you have long term succcess.
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,690
    49,387
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    And there in lies the conundrum, how to con new customers while keeping existing customers from complaining about the con
     
  14. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2008
    6,233
    4,228
    1
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    That's easy. Don't do any con jobs ;-)
     
    bisco likes this.