2018 CDN - Battery life / capacity - normal?

[Erikg]

I have a 1 yr old Canadian model. Currently at 17,000KM (10,000Miles)

My battery is already down to 88.9% (33.8Ah)

I get at best 35KM (21 miles) on a full charge with all heat/ac off.

If I turn defogger on min - I get less than 20KM (12 miles) (outside temp is 7C)

My Highest record over the year is 43KM on a single charge (flat road, cool air, no heat / ac, no stops)

I've seen posts where people are claiming bests of 70KM, and old cars getting better range than me. Are the euro models that much better than the Canadian model?

 

[greendwarf]

So already into your second Canadian winter? - which are generally harsher than in Europe. Are you using pre-heat to its best?

Also you say best result on flat road. Climbing will cane the battery, especially if your "return" is not in EV, as well. I bet you can push the car a short distance but try lifting it :idea:

 

[richr]

From what I've gathered over a few years of posts on here and other PHEV forums, 35km (20mi) is about average for temperatures below 10C even on brand new cars. Depending on how you drive (ie just driving it like a normal petrol car, or constantly varying regen settings and driving more slowly and gently), you can extend that. But just like trying for maximum economy in a petrol car, it makes for a tiring experience.

 

[jonhache]

We're on the 2nd winter for ours - although the 1st one only started mid Feb last year and it was mild. Max I've seen for battery range was 51km (early fall). Min of about 20 if no climate control on. Defrost will almost always engage the engine and drop the kms in to the low teens this time of year. I try and hit the EV button, then 'auto' for climate ctrl, + rear defrost.

Some observations /quirks:

Pre-heat seems to help. Although I think it works even when the car is unplugged, which I found odd...

Below a certain temp the car won't display any battery capacity - I think it needs to warm it up enough first. If I recall after a night of below -15C, it took about a km of driving (with engine on) before I got a range displayed for the battery.

I try and make sure I leave climate control off when I leave the car so that I have the opportunity to push the EV button before climate goes on.

On colder days my wife will get home from work with capacity left on the battery - engine going most of her drive both ways. She isn't as diligent as I am with trying to force the car in to EV mode.

It would be nice to be able to force the car in to EV only for short trips (in cold weather) where I know I'll be plugging back in once I get home. I suppose the engine comes on to protect the battery.

Overall 22 000km and just under 6L/100km. This includes 4 trips of about ~1200km each on the highway with a fully loaded car. Better fuel efficiency than my little Honda Fit.

 

[Erikg]

I thought I added this but it didn't save...

I live in Vancouver BC - and I park underground both at work and at home. I don't think the car has been in freezing weather more than 3 days in its life. I also don't think its been in above 35c.

When I say the max I have ever achieved is 43km - I'm talking since the car was new - on a perfect day with a perfect drive (no accessories on, medium speed, no stops).

Right now it's between 6C and 12C and I'm getting about 30KM per full charge (with no heater). Windows defrost on min drops me to 20KM. Full heater is even less.

From what I've seen here, that is a bit below normal.



jonhache - Your 51KM best is more what I was expecting. What model / year and where are you? You don't know your battery capacity by any chance (phev watchdog)?

I am going to the dealer tmrw, the more info / details I have to hit them with, there is something wrong with my battery, and I foresee a fight with them.

 

[jaapv]

Driving style has a lot to do with it. 43 kms is reasonable in normal traffic. I've never seen anything near 70 km. I don't recall any forum member ever claiming that distance - except downhill all the way :lol: A sharp drop in winter is normal as well.
I foresee a fight with your dealer too, and I predict you won't win.

 

[jonhache]

I'm in Ottawa -plenty of cold weather lately. 2018 base model. I'll have a better look on the weekend, as my wife drives it for the most part, but we're not getting much more than 20km in this weather. I don't have anything to check capacity.

The 51km range isn't all the time - more likely high 30s, low 40s when temp in the low teens and no heat / defrost needed.

I thought I added this but it didn't save...

I live in Vancouver BC - and I park underground both at work and at home. I don't think the car has been in freezing weather more than 3 days in its life. I also don't think its been in above 35c.

When I say the max I have ever achieved is 43km - I'm talking since the car was new - on a perfect day with a perfect drive (no accessories on, medium speed, no stops).

Right now it's between 6C and 12C and I'm getting about 30KM per full charge (with no heater). Windows defrost on min drops me to 20KM. Full heater is even less.

From what I've seen here, that is a bit below normal.



jonhache - Your 51KM best is more what I was expecting. What model / year and where are you? You don't know your battery capacity by any chance (phev watchdog)?

I am going to the dealer tmrw, the more info / details I have to hit them with, there is something wrong with my battery, and I foresee a fight with them.

 

[Erikg]

I got the MBU update and I'm already seeing a 15% increase in distance. My max is now 35 (light city traffic - no ac - no passengers).

I think that may help a lot, but my battery is now down to 88% - they wanted to see if the BMU update will fix things before working on it. I doubt it's going to bring back battery life, but I'll humor them...