Exploring my car range

[Nemo12]

I usually keep my gauge set to show miles remaining, so I don't know the actual range. After a full charge today, it showed 82 miles left, which is decent for the current mild weather in South Carolina. I took a 9-mile round trip to the supermarket and returned with 75 miles remaining, using 9 miles of range going there and 4 coming back due to the hilly route in the area. I'm eager to explore more about how the terrain impacts my car's performance

 

[BrunoJ]

Usage of battery depends not only on terrain, but also driving style. Strong acceleration, higher speed cost you more miles of range as well. Driving downhill you'll get some range back due to recuperation, especially if you use 'gear' change under the steering wheel and regulate recharging power to drive downhill with constant speed (then recharging longer time). Still 4miles back on 9 miles distance looks impressive
I'm more focus on understanding the impact of heating and AC, driving in rainy and coldish weather - AC helps to keep windows unfoggy, and heating provide proper comfort (car is not very well insulated). Having 80miles range at the start, just enabling heating with AC reduce it to 50 or even less. And it is with temperatures like 10-15C, so I'm starting to be afraid about real winter. Still for city driving only, but no spare range is uncomfortable.

 

[Nemo12]

Usage of battery depends not only on terrain, but also driving style. Strong acceleration, higher speed cost you more miles of range as well. Driving downhill you'll get some range back due to recuperation, especially if you use 'gear' change under the steering wheel and regulate recharging power to drive downhill with constant speed (then recharging longer time). Still 4miles back on 9 miles distance looks impressive
I'm more focus on understanding the impact of heating and AC, driving in rainy and coldish weather - AC helps to keep windows unfoggy, and heating provide proper comfort (car is not very well insulated). Having 80miles range at the start, just enabling heating with AC reduce it to 50 or even less. And it is with temperatures like 10-15C, so I'm starting to be afraid about real winter. Still for city driving only, but no spare range is uncomfortable.

Absolutely, I’ve noticed that driving style and climate control can make a big difference too. I’ll keep an eye on the heating/AC impact as it cools down, it sounds like a real range-eater. It’s amazing how every factor adds up, especially with limited range..

 

[JoeS]

The i-MiEV's Range Remaining (RR) algorithm reduces the range by about 10% for aircon and 20% for heating, also slightly affected by fan setting.

 

[BrunoJ]

That's moreless how it looks like on the display, but also it seems to be real range reduction. I over-estimate the range once - it was unclear if I'll manage it or missed with 1-2 km just close to home. Fortunately I have proper charger on my way. 20 minutes on fast charger results with half range, from almost zero. Fast charger is a bit issue in my area, old connector is not supported everywhere.
The plus of inhouse charging is a possibility to start heating/AC earlier, still keeping car connected. Then entering warn cabin without loosing the range. BTW - I got recently 86miles (139km) range after charging (typically it doesn't exceed 80), then reduced to 62 with heating and AC enabled.

 

[MickeyS70]

That's moreless how it looks like on the display, but also it seems to be real range reduction. I over-estimate the range once - it was unclear if I'll manage it or missed with 1-2 km just close to home. Fortunately I have proper charger on my way. 20 minutes on fast charger results with half range, from almost zero. Fast charger is a bit issue in my area, old connector is not supported everywhere.

You can get CCS to CHAdeMON adapters these days for the I-MIEV, not cheap but they are reported to work
https://myimiev.com/threads/ccs1-and-ccs2-chademo-adapters.5624/

The plus of inhouse charging is a possibility to start heating/AC earlier, still keeping car connected. Then entering warn cabin without loosing the range.

You must be one of the lucky ones that have the remote option fitted, as without one cannot heat the cabin while plugged in.

Best option is still a heated garage though.

BTW - I got recently 86miles (139km) range after charging (typically it doesn't exceed 80), then reduced to 62 with heating and AC enabled.

Also bear in mind that ambient temperature plays a big role. Freezing weather is a double whammy as overall battery capacity is reduced and more energy is required to heat the cabin…

 

[BrunoJ]

I believe the specs for Norwegian/Scandinavian market included the remote option by default (at least in late years), as well as MGN radio (tno FM radios in Norway from 2017, so dealer was obliged to install DAB+ unit, and easiest option was just to install own navi station).

I read about the ChaDeMo adapters, however current price (in absolute numbers as well as versus the car price/value) do not justify such purchase in my eyes, as long as there are still some stations around, supporting this standard.

It will be a first winter with this car for me, so I'll see how that works. I'm aware about the issues with battery capacity. Currently I'm able to charge the car every 2-3 days, I expect I have to connect it every night during a winter - to recharge, as well as to utilize the remote heating. Fortunately, in my area a winter is not very cold.. A garage is the option, although too many stuff in currently, no space even for such small car ;-) But most of the time it will be 0 till +5/10C, potentially rainy. Then again - heating and dehumidification by AC will be extensively used.