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

for my use case, the epa # is quite accurate

 

Sucks for winter calculations

 

Sucks for driving up a mountain calculations as well.

Luckily, the EPA calculations aren’t intended for either of those.

 

Your right, in the mountains I was getting +30% better economy than epa but I didn’t race hard up and coasted miles downhill.

 

Depends on the weather conditions and how toasty you like to be.
I’m still getting 5 mpk, but winter has mostly been high 30’s to low 40’s so far.

 

Other companies are testing EVs at highway speeds which is one of EVs range weak spots (as well as acceleration and winter driving). Consumer Reports started testing all of the EVs they own at 70 mph:
Consumer Reports EV Range Testing Highlights - Consumer Reports

They admittedly did their testing between 70º and 90º F (21º to 32ºC), preconditioning their cars in a garage and setting climate controls to 72ºF (22ºC). It's a baseline for further testing so they can suggest to the EPA ways to report EV range values that may matter to the consumer and/or make sense without cluttering up the window sticker. Interesting results on the 22 different EVs they own and yes you can read it without a subscription.

 

But what mix of stop and go, 35 MPH, 55 MPH and 65-75 MPH speeds are appropriate? How much should the mix of 2 mile, 5 mile and 50 mile trips be a factor? How should temperature, rain, snow and tires plus inflation be factored in? What should the HVAC be set to? How many passengers of what weight and how much baggage/weight in the trunk/frunk/bed? With or without roof rails? Racks? Tire inflation? Size of wheel? Size of tire? Type of tire? And what method of driving? How quickly should the acceleration from a complete stop be performed? And how much should cruise control be used?

I want a resultant figure that matches my use case. And I want it adjusted as my use case changes.

You can't please everyone.

 

Pretty sure Consumer Reports doesn't know themselves and are using this initial testing as a baseline for more testing. For instance they set their tire pressure to factory specs, not something some of us Prius Chatters normally do, but at least it's a baseline. Can't put everything on the window sticker. I'll bet they'll follow up this testing with winter driving, etc. and then figure out what else needs testing. As for specific variable like you listed, that's what this forum is for.

 

I don’t care what speeds, weights, stop & go travel amounts, etc are used.
As long as the test methods are transparent (they are) and consistent from car to car (the sort of are).

I know better than to think the test results will match my driving patterns.
My two issues are:
A) They have two methods for testing electric cars, they should only have one.
B) They don’t have the budget to spot check more vehicles for accuracy.

 

it's no different from gassers, and how many have complained on priuschat over the years that they don't get the epa mileage

 

I agree:

I found that comparing the city and highway mileage was the best way to determine if a car is efficient or 'mock'. For example, the alleged 'mild hybrids' were a fraud as easily seen in worse city numbers than highway numbers. But the Prius proved out by the superior city numbers relative to the highway performance.

EPA numbers are not perfect and they keep trying to tweak them. So my 2003 Prius initially had 52 MPG city and 45 MPG highway. But there have been at least two revisions that masked these original figures. Eventually, I figured out how to make my own MPG vs mph graphs and for me, the problem was solved.

Bob Wilson

 

There are other companies that are trying improve EV range predictions:
https://www.motortrend.com/news/ev-range-prediction-improvement-here-factors/

As pointed out in the article many EV Navigation systems will only give you a (somewhat) accurate prediction when an end point has been entered into the car's navigation system. Carte blanc trips that most people don't put in a destination, like to work or a known store, has the EV fall back on approximating EPA into its guess-o-meter range.

Looks like Tesla owners are complaining about unrealistic overly optimistic range estimates forcing Tesla to drop some EV range estimates:
https://www.motortrend.com/news/tesla-model-y-model-x-model-s-range-estimations-reduced-doj-probe/

Apparently they did so without any announcements or they simply added EPA est. after certain figures. I've played with those range calculators a long time ago and while they did allow you adjust outside temperature, speed, their own tire sizes, and other internal factors, they didn't take into account hills, lousy road conditions, driving patterns, etc.., but maybe they should reintroduce their range calculators. Of course people will probably complain it doesn't fit their driving patterns.

 

What an interesting hit piece!
Perhaps the connection between the lower ranges and the required EPA changes to range was too much of a leap for MotorTrend?

Here is an article by Road & Track that explains it, complete with link to the EPA letter informing manufacturers.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a46296899/tesla-epa-range-estimates-drop-2024/

I guess if I am looking for actual reporting I have a better idea which outlet actually does some research.

 

Hmmm, actually I think it was using the Tesla "adjustments" to eventually needle Hyundai and Lucid about their range estimates. At least that's the way I read it and they just used Tesla because they are the most recognized.

 

See edit above for more info.