EV range

I am missing something here. How can I tell how far I go in EV mode? Charge Management only shows how far I have left to travel. I know I could reset the trip computer everyday, but surely there is a better way.

 

On the main display, you can set it to show range left or battery %. I don't remember where you set it up, but read the manual.

The second way is to keep hitting the Trip button and it will show you electric range left.

 

What am I doing wrong? I get a full charge overnight. The screen says 24 miles is what my estimated ev range is. The battery runs out after only 14-15 miles .I'm driving streets with lights and traffic. No highway. Mostly flat. 45-65 degrees outside. I see other people saying they get over 30 miles on one charge. I don't gun it or street race. What gives? I've had the car a few days and I'm pretty annoyed at this point. Any tips?

 

Sounds like you're going faster than 40-45 mph, the faster you go the less range, it's physics

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How many miles are on the car? What temperature do you set it to? Do you use the front defroster? Do you warm up the car before you drive?

 

I also literally get 14 miles on full tank. Just bought this new car 3 days ago. Extremely frustrating as I bought this car because I was supposed to get 30-35 miles on the battery. I wonder if I have a lemon

 

usood89 if you got it 3 days ago, I seriously doubt it had a full 'tank' I am hoping you meant battery as 1.5 MPG is very bad, except for a plane.

Tell us about the time you charge it over night and use all the battery. If it still gets 18 miles EV and the temperature is above freezing,something is wrong.

 

1) Make sure you're in "D" and not in "B" if you're driving in mostly flat terrain.

2) Make sure you're in both "EV mode" and in "ECO mode" as shown on the display.



Last spring, I failed to notice that I had turned off "ECO mode" and could not figure out why my electric range suddenly dropped. The "EV/EV Auto" is explained in one section of the owner's manual and the "ECO mode" is explained elsewhere. It's easy to get confused because the indicators appear side-by-side in your display.



Also, be aware that the Prime displays your estimated remaining EV range based upon your driving style. The car will learn the way you like to brake and accelerate. It will get better at estimating how much energy you use. And you will get better at driving efficiently.

 

You quoted me but didn't answer any of my questions. Also the EV range is only rated at 25, not 30-35. You can get 30-35 driving slow and without using any climate control settings.

 

Also, in the winter, you likely won't achieve even 25 miles. I was happy to get 17 on a "warmer" winter day last season. In the summer, yes, 25 miles or more is very possible.

 

Thanks for the reply. It’s cold out in NY for sure and I have heat on moderately, two days in a row of full EV charged overnight to 100%, it lasts me 14-16 miles on electric before it shifts over to gas. I drive mostly on cruise control on the highway, at 65-72 mph, but the cruise control is very good at trying to be as eco friendly as possible.

 

About 140 miles on the car. Temp set to 69, usually fan speed of one or two, heated seat on. Defrosters are both off. Experimenting with warming the car before I drive today. I put the charge on a schedule during the week and checked the option to have the climate control ready for departure. Will see how it does today, but I’m not very hopeful. Thank you on the clarity that it’s supposed to only get 25 miles on EV, the salesman was wrong I guess.

 

Heat, even set to 69, still uses up a TON of energy. That's not to be underestimated. Even lowering to 65 degrees could help some. Driving highway speeds is also losing you a ton of range. The stated range of the Prime is in mixed (both city and highway) in warmer temps. Getting 16 miles would be expected under your given conditions.

 

Yeah, cold temp with heat on and 65-72 mph on highway, 14-16 miles on EV is very normal. In my climate, this morning temp at 18F with climate control set at 70F Auto with heated seat, no defroster, no stop and go traffic on a rural back road at 35mph, I got ~20 actual EV miles (Guess-O-Meter was initially displaying 25.3 miles EV range.) You will get a better range if you stay at a lower speed in warmer weather.

 

I am NOT trying to discourage you from being safe and comfortable! Just pointing out where the electricity went.

"I drive mostly on cruise control on the highway, at 65-72 mph"
The maximum speed the Prime can ever drive in EV mode is 84 MPH, the closer you are to that, the less your range in EV. Air resistance happens at the square of speed, if you go twice as fast, the car is working 4 times as much pushing air.

"Temp set to 69, usually fan speed of one or two, heated seat on."
Good news: Heat pump can heat car without running engine, saving gas Bad news: It uses electricity
I find Auto to be more efficient than manual controls in my v, only drove a Prime two days
The heated seat always uses electricity, but less than heating the whole cabin.

"It’s cold out in NY for sure"
I get better and better MPG up to about 85 degrees F, then A/C nibbles at it with both my Gen 2 and my v. A new reason to enjoy spring is better MPG/longer EV range.

"the salesman was wrong I guess."
They are only lying when their lips move.

I live in MS now but I spent two winters in Toronto, just across a really great lake from NY (pretend I spent a winter in Rochester, and a winter in Buffalo)

 

Fantastic breakdown here. Everybody here really helped and answered my concerns. Much appreciated, and a lot to take into account here.

I have one more question guys. I set my schedule for the first time, so the car would be charged by 8am, and I put climate control ON. When I got to my car around 825, it was cold and nothing was on. Not really sure what I’m doing wrong. It was still plugged In. Any clarity will help! Looks like I’ve been doing a lot wrong so I’m sure I’m screwing something up.

 

Remote AC on Premium model only works with your key fob. Before you unplug your charge cable from the car, push A/C button on your fob and hold for 10 sec. You should see the charge indicator on the dash lights us, and heat pump will be on at the last setting you left the car. The remote AC (i.e. preconditioning) only runs 10 min. You can repeat as many times as you want, however when the ambient temp is cold heat pump just is not efficient enough to warm up the cabin and when ambient temp is below 14 F, it has no effect at all. It is not like remote engine starter. ICE will never come on while the car is plugged in.

 

I'm going to study the responses to this question because I have the same problem. I bought a new Prime Plug-in about a month ago, but even on days with temps in the 40's I'm getting less than 15 miles on EV. I paid a premium for better fuel economy and low emissions compared to other cars, and I really want to actually get those benefits. It was frustrating that they knew nothing about the car at the dealership, one of the larger ones in the Boston suburbs.

 

we must have shopped at the same dealership

I may have considered a different vehicle if i was only going to get 14 miles on EV. The 35 miles they led me to believe was essential to me. I'm still within the 7 days return period.... lol

 

Will be interested to see how you make out. Despite the "low battery, EV not available" screen message, the average mpg has gone up steadily and is now around 66. So it could be the screen message is wrong. I very occasionally see the EV come back after I've been driving it for a while, but only rarely. Very confusing.