Mach e Battery Issue - sharply reduced battery range -- and getting worse.

Mustang? · Dec 3, 2021

MachTee said:
If Ford did that, the complaints will then be that the car is consuming 3 miles of range for every mile driven. IMO the manufacturers need to be more upfront about all of the effects of driving an EV in the cold.

@Mustang? I also have a premium standard range AWD. Over the summer and early Fall, the highest I've seen my GOM was 200 miles at 85% (my routine charge setting), so 235 miles at 100%, at an average of 3.7 miles per kWh over ~10k miles.

When it started getting colder early in November, around 40 degrees or so in the morning, my 85% steadily dropped, down to 165 or so. Over the post week, it's been 28 degrees in the morning and my 85% nose dived to 130 and average consumption increased to 2.8MPK. And then yesterday and today we're back at 40 degrees in the morning and my GOM quickly went back to 165 with consumption back down to 3.5MPK. I left the climate control on 68 auto pretty much the whole month. My November average was 3.1 miles per kWh over ~1500 miles. Based on miles traveled over percentage of the charge, it is much closer to the MPK average than the GOM. Yes the GOM is highly pessimistic. It seems for every 10 degrees drop below 50, the GOM gets even more pessimistic.

Sorry for throwing a bunch of numbers most probably don't care to keep track of. I wish I can just drive the thing and not look at them lol, but I've always been that way ever since my first car - every fill up I do trip meter/gallons filled and reset trip meter. In my MME, every charge I do miles driven/% used and reset Trip 1 (as well now monthly reset of Trip 2) ? and yes it comes out to be well ahead of what the GOM says.

So the rated capacity I think is 270--although I have seen higher than that on mine during the first few months of ownership. The current capacity is 160 and I am not really sure it is just the GOM-- I think the battery itself is around that number. I have been tracking the clock against the range and % too--using the new 'Note' feature which came with the PAAK update. Very handy to be able to just write on the screen. The capacity of the battery is heavily reduced beyond any environmental or driving change. I am working through this with Ford and the dealer and when I find an acceptable resolution/explanation, perhaps I will come back and report it.

Mustang? · Dec 3, 2021

kltye said:
Thanks for the info! It looks like the GOM is just doing its thing about being all Charlie Brown (figured I'd continue that theme here); your miles per kWH seems fine. I highly doubt the pack temperature is contributing to that much loss in capacity. You'll need an OBD II dongle and some software to look at the pack temperature; I recommend the OBDLink MX+ adapter and something like Car Scanner (on Android at least). The cheaper adapters probably aren't able to read all the parameters the car offers.

For comparison, my ER RWD MME always showed about 280+ miles on the GOM in the summer (hey, I like driving it like I stole it and I love A/C), and now it's down to about 240. I also drive with no heat, and it's been relatively warm here (probably around the same temps as you), and it's stored in an underground garage - not heated, but definitely not as cold as ambient. I don't think the miles per kWH is much different (I also swapped out for stickier and wider tires last month) than it was before.

I used FAR more A/C during the summer than I use heat in the winter and was pleased with the range until a few months ago. Something happened. At first I thought it was the range algorithm or some software hiccup. But now I think it is the battery, or something mechanical.

As I posted elsewhere in this thread, I charge and keep the car in a heated (well, I keep it at 55 degrees) garage. And it is has been mild as can be here until just recently.

I reset the trip meters hoping that it would erase whatever flawed factors were being included in the algorithm but that didn't help.

Big mystery, but I suspect I am not the only one experiencing this-- and some here who are thinking they are driving a cell phone battery rather than a pretty sophisticated rig capable of adjusting for many outside temps may be surprised that there is a fix.

Murse-In-Airy · Dec 3, 2021

Lots of posts and even comparison videos showing that Air conditioning barely changes energy consumption. But the heater really puts a dent in the range. Plus the winter means the battery is consuming its own energy to warm itself.
I tried to read through the whole thread but didn’t see where you’ve mentioned your actual miles/kwh from “this trip” which is, IMHO, the most important number we have access to.
Its 20° here in Northern NY in the mornings. And I’ve been showing about 160 miles at 90% (down from 250 at 90% in the summer). But my miles/kwh are showing 2.3. So real range would be 2.3x88kwh=202 miles. Meaning at 90% it should say 182. Which is about the 30% loss I expect. Down from EPA of 270 to winter range of 180.

Kabish · Dec 3, 2021

Mustang? said:
I used FAR more A/C during the summer than I use heat in the winter and was pleased with the range until a few months ago.

Running the AC is far more efficient than running heat, heat uses way more power to generate. As others have said, its the cold weather. I live in San Diego, I took a decent hit and its in the mid 50's here at night and low 70's to mid 60's during the day. I don't consider that cold, but the MME does. My car is also in a garage and I use conditioning on the weekdays.

You are looking for a solution to a problem that does not exist, its just the loss from it being cold. I think having such a big loss at 60 degrees is stupid, but it is what it is. Maybe if we had a heat pump it would not be as bad...

kltye · Dec 3, 2021

Mustang? said:
I used FAR more A/C during the summer than I use heat in the winter and was pleased with the range until a few months ago. Something happened. At first I thought it was the range algorithm or some software hiccup. But now I think it is the battery, or something mechanical.

As I posted elsewhere in this thread, I charge and keep the car in a heated (well, I keep it at 55 degrees) garage. And it is has been mild as can be here until just recently.

I reset the trip meters hoping that it would erase whatever flawed factors were being included in the algorithm but that didn't help.

Big mystery, but I suspect I am not the only one experiencing this-- and some here who are thinking they are driving a cell phone battery rather than a pretty sophisticated rig capable of adjusting for many outside temps may be surprised that there is a fix.

There are only two factors that directly influence range - battery capacity, and power consumption. If the power consumption has stayed the same, then your useable battery capacity has dropped. I strongly doubt that 40 deg F temperatures would reduce your capacity by that much. Also, I don't recall - do you have the RWD or AWD? If you have the RWD, your range loss is about 30%. According to this: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1002007118307536, up until freezing (32F), batteries shouldn't lose much more than 5-10% capacity.

I know this is a pain in the rear, but if you charge it up to 100%, you could do your own range test; plot out a route that's 160 ish miles that will have you end either at home or at a public fast charger, and see how much battery you have left in percentage.

Edit: If you get an OBD adapter, you can see the power draw from the HVB. I "idle" at just around 1.08 amps, which is under 400 watts - the battery definitely isn't using energy to warm itself up then.

Mach-Lee · Dec 3, 2021

Mustang? said:
I think that many of us know that cold weather affects range, as does driving style, road conditions and speed driven. My question was posted AFTER considering the effects of these variables upon range and after a deep dive into what has been posted on line (here and elsewhere ) as well as ongoing conversations with the dealer and with Ford directly. The range deficit is far in excess of what should be expected considering the conditions experienced.

The problem is you believe the number on the display is the actual range. It's not, it's only a guess. Your actual real-world range will be greater than what it says on the display, probably in excess of 180 miles @ 32ºF. This fact has been discussed ad nauseam on this forum, there's a new topic about it everyday and we all say the same thing. We hope people would do a little better research before posting.

It's not too hard to find info on the internet regarding effects of cold on range, I found this relatively quickly: Icy Temperatures Cut Electric Vehicle Range Nearly in Half - 41% loss, which would put the range at about 160 miles in the Mach-E extended.

What you might not know is that getting the software updates done on your vehicle will increase the displayed range. This will probably make you feel better even though your actual consumption will be the same as before.

Mustang? said:
Big mystery, but I suspect I am not the only one experiencing this-- and some here who are thinking they are driving a cell phone battery rather than a pretty sophisticated rig capable of adjusting for many outside temps may be surprised that there is a fix.

The guy that thinks you are driving a giant cell phone battery happens to know a thing or two about the Mach-E. Oh the irony... ?

Mustang? · Dec 3, 2021

kltye said:
There are only two factors that directly influence range - battery capacity, and power consumption. If the power consumption has stayed the same, then your useable battery capacity has dropped. I strongly doubt that 40 deg F temperatures would reduce your capacity by that much. Also, I don't recall - do you have the RWD or AWD? If you have the RWD, your range loss is about 30%. According to this: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1002007118307536, up until freezing (32F), batteries shouldn't lose much more than 5-10% capacity.

I know this is a pain in the rear, but if you charge it up to 100%, you could do your own range test; plot out a route that's 160 ish miles that will have you end either at home or at a public fast charger, and see how much battery you have left in percentage.

Edit: If you get an OBD adapter, you can see the power draw from the HVB. I "idle" at just around 1.08 amps, which is under 400 watts - the battery definitely isn't using energy to warm itself up then.

Mustang? · Dec 3, 2021

It's a good idea andI have done a similar thing by clocking GOM reported range against the odometer over time. It's pretty close leading me to think that there is a battery issue.

There seems to be two camps on this thread: a) range is perfectly normal whether it is 280 or 160 at 100% because it is cold outside and these are lithium ion batteries or b) there must be some less generic explanation for a range loss of this size. I am in the 'b' camp. In my particular case, I am settling into thinking its a battery issue unless Ford can demonstrate otherwise. But I see that others on this thread have experienced similar range issues unrelated to the weather.

Mustang? · Dec 3, 2021

Mach-Lee said:
The problem is you believe the number on the display is the actual range. It's not, it's only a guess. Your actual real-world range will be greater than what it says on the display, probably in excess of 180 miles @ 32ºF. This fact has been discussed ad nauseam on this forum, there's a new topic about it everyday and we all say the same thing. We hope people would do a little better research before posting.

It's not too hard to find info on the internet regarding effects of cold on range, I found this relatively quickly: Icy Temperatures Cut Electric Vehicle Range Nearly in Half - 41% loss, which would put the range at about 160 miles in the Mach-E extended.

What you might not know is that getting the software updates done on your vehicle will increase the displayed range. This will probably make you feel better even though your actual consumption will be the same as before.

The guy that thinks you are driving a giant cell phone battery happens to know a thing or two about the Mach-E. Oh the irony... ?

It hasn't yet been below freezing where I live and daytime temps have been in the 50's and 60's until recently when we are seeing high 40's. The car is kept in a heated garage and is always charged there.

I have heard that 'Icy Temps Cut Vehicle Range in Half' but I haven't been driving in icy temps.

My point, if there ever was one, was simply to find out what others were experiencing. The answer to reduced range isn't always 'it's cold outside dummy' and accepting that as a stock answer for a highly engineered device designed to compensate for outside temperature seems too easy.

The GOM on my car was dead balls on most of the time for the first 5 months or so including early spring weather similar to what we have now. Then something changed and the numbers have dropped alarmingly. Some part of that, I am sure, has to do with temps. BUt only part.

Kabish · Dec 3, 2021

Mustang? said:
a) range is perfectly normal whether it is 280 or 160 at 100% because it is cold outside and these are lithium ion batteries or b) there must be some less generic explanation for a range loss of this size.

So you have your answer then. Take the car to the dealer and let them sit on it till spring. ?‍

Mustang? said:
It hasn't yet been below freezing where I live and daytime temps have been in the 50's and 60's until recently when we are seeing high 40's. The car is kept in a heated garage and is always charged there.

I live in San Diego, I went from a 302 range at 90% to a 270 (at best) range at 90%. Its not nearly as cold here as it is in NY.

Mustang? said:
highly engineered device designed to compensate for outside temperature seems too easy.

And yet it does not have a heat pump...

Mr.Doug · Dec 3, 2021

Mustang? said:
I have the 2021 Mach e Premium standard battery. 6,000 miles on the clock since May, never quick charged.

Love the car, but am seeing sharply reduced battery range--and getting worse.

Currently, a 95% charge gives me less than 170 miles.

Dealer has no idea. Any thoughts?

Yes, I have the same problem with my MME Premium extended battery, however with my Tesla's it is not a issue of GOM.. Tesla has Ford on the run.. Ford needs to STEP IT UP!

Rabidsquirrel22 · Dec 3, 2021

I used to think Tesla was being lazy by just giving users a rated range calculation instead of a GOM, but posts like the one above mine prove that it saves themselves from a lot of uneducated users bashing them.

OP, if you’re very concerned about the range and need to take a long trip in the cold, use the scheduled departure times and your battery will precondition itself and give you better range. FYI, remote start and just driving around do not precondition the battery. Only scheduled departure times will.

Other tips:
Make sure your cold tire pressure is 39 psi.
If you really need to stretch your range between fast chargers, lower your cabin temp a couple degrees and don’t drive above 75 mph. You’ll be totally fine.

Cm12 · Dec 3, 2021

Mustang? said:
It hasn't yet been below freezing where I live and daytime temps have been in the 50's and 60's until recently when we are seeing high 40's. The car is kept in a heated garage and is always charged there.

I have heard that 'Icy Temps Cut Vehicle Range in Half' but I haven't been driving in icy temps.

My point, if there ever was one, was simply to find out what others were experiencing. The answer to reduced range isn't always 'it's cold outside dummy' and accepting that as a stock answer for a highly engineered device designed to compensate for outside temperature seems too easy.

The GOM on my car was dead balls on most of the time for the first 5 months or so including early spring weather similar to what we have now. Then something changed and the numbers have dropped alarmingly. Some part of that, I am sure, has to do with temps. BUt only part.

In 40 degree weather and driving around in even slightly mountainous highways I can barely manage 1.5 miles per kWh. Just part of owning an EV, I guess. Like you, I expected the range to be lower but definitely didn’t expect it to be that much lower. Next EV I buy will definitely need to have a range of 600+ miles to compensate for the cold weather. Not sure if that’ll happen in the near future at an affordable price though.

SnBGC · Dec 3, 2021

Mustang? said:
So the rated capacity I think is 270--although I have seen higher than that on mine during the first few months of ownership. The current capacity is 160 and I am not really sure it is just the GOM-- I think the battery itself is around that number. I have been tracking the clock against the range and % too--using the new 'Note' feature which came with the PAAK update. Very handy to be able to just write on the screen. The capacity of the battery is heavily reduced beyond any environmental or driving change. I am working through this with Ford and the dealer and when I find an acceptable resolution/explanation, perhaps I will come back and report it.

Three tests will help you immensely.
If you have time tomorrow, drive the car in the morning and note the charge percentage, ambient temp and odometer. Drive normally on familiar routes until 10% charge is consumed. Note odometer reading.

Do it again at mid day and again around 4 in the afternoon.

Report back with the miles traveled per 10% charge at the various ambient temps.

My GOM suddenly became very pessimistic this week. Morning temps here are mid 50s. Mid day around 78F.

Earlier in the week, the GOM predicted 218 miles @ 90%. Actual measured mileage that day was something like 121 miles for 41% battery charge consumed, which calculates out to about 265 miles of actual range on 90% charge. GOM is Way off.
It used to be fairly accurate. Something seemed to change this week and now it is way out in left field. Temps last week seem about the same as this week but when I look up the readings it shows the morning temps this week are about 50F compared to 55F last week. So maybe 5 degrees throws off the GOM calculation for some reason?

Nklem · Dec 4, 2021

Here is my brand new Premium Extended Range right now. 270 mile range rated . 166 miles at 100%.

For additional help and opinions please reset your Trip 1 or Trip 2 in “Trips” to zero for both miles and Mi/kWh. Preferably after charging (You have to press reset twice and sometimes hold “reset” and see 0 for miles and 99.99 for mi/KWh) and report back what it says for both miles driven and mi/kWh after driving over 100 miles. Also, if you can, note battery percentage before reset and at reading/reporting time. Cell phone photos would be great.

You can also enable My Journeys and report those trip reports with battery percentage noted before and after.

Thanks.

Mach e Battery Issue - sharply reduced battery range -- and getting worse.

Mustang?

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Murse-In-Airy

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Kabish

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kltye

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Mach-Lee

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Mustang?

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Mustang?

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Kabish

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