Battery range loss going over the grapevine

[Mr Card AMT]

I live in central CA, but I'm planning a trip to the LA area. What kind of range penalty would I expect to see going south over the grapevine? Will the downhill side somewhat balance out the big climb, or should I expect a big loss in efficiency compared to what I would see on a level road? Based on the mileage only (about 170 miles), I should easily get to my destination without stopping. I'm wondering if the grapevine will make me need to stop and charge along the way.

TIA

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[StevenC56]

We are in Fresno and go to Disneyland a few times a year, but haven't taken our 2025 Mach E GT yet as we just took delivery 6/5. We will be taking it next month. We did take our Lightning last December for our2024 Christmas trip. Left home with 100%. We stopped at El Tejon and used the Tesla Supercharger at the Outlets to bring the SOC up to 80%. Made it to the hotel no problem then. The hotel we stayed at had level 2 chargers so we charged to 100% the night before check out. Stopped at the Outlets again on the way home and charged to 80%, then home to Fresno. We plan on doing exactly this with the Mach E next month. And yes, just like an ICE vehicle you use more Juice going uphill.

 

[1Mowavr]

I have done that route about 5 times from Ventura to Oakhurst and back. As you go up hill you will see your estimated range drop rapidly, but going downhill you will also see it gain rapidly. Could be concerning if you approach with a minimal charge. I think I would not want to approach it with less than 40%

The grapevine itself has almost nothing. There is a 3-station charger at the Jack in the Box in Frazier Park. Not reliable – usually broke and 1 of the 3 chargers is Tesla of the old variety that probably would not support non-Tesla and one of the other ones is just a level 2.

The good news is Tesla has some nice charging stations on each side of the grapevine that support non-Tesla’s.

Good luck

 

[mdolan92869]

I did a round trip, Orange to Visalia and back, a couple of months ago. Started at 100%, stopped at the Tesla chargers north of the Grapevine there and back. In Tulare, hit the EA charger to get to 80%. Made it home no problem. Once you get into the LA area, you can find a charger if you really need one, but you probably won’t.

 

[IgorKl]

I drive regularly SF-LA. I’m trying to have 30% SOC to make it through grapevine.
keep in mind that there is new Tesla SC at Lebec. I think grapevine will take about 20% of battery

 

[tbrumleve]

ABRP app will tell you range based on elevation changes. Charge before the grapevine and you’ll be fine. You get decreased range going up, and you’ll gain range on the back side.

 

[devmach-e]

I have done that route about 5 times from Ventura to Oakhurst and back. As you go up hill you will see your estimated range drop rapidly, but going downhill you will also see it gain rapidly. Could be concerning if you approach with a minimal charge. I think I would not want to approach it with less than 40%

The grapevine itself has almost nothing. There is a 3-station charger at the Jack in the Box in Frazier Park. Not reliable – usually broke and 1 of the 3 chargers is Tesla of the old variety that probably would not support non-Tesla and one of the other ones is just a level 2.

The good news is Tesla has some nice charging stations on each side of the grapevine that support non-Tesla’s.

Good luck

Frazier Mtn Park exit how has a 38 stall Tesla Supercharger site. Longer cables so any EV can use a stall without taking up multiple parking spots, unlike with the Harris Ranch site.

 

[4sallypat]

I live in central CA, but I'm planning a trip to the LA area. What kind of range penalty would I expect to see going south over the grapevine? Will the downhill side somewhat balance out the big climb, or should I expect a big loss in efficiency compared to what I would see on a level road? Based on the mileage only (about 170 miles), I should easily get to my destination without stopping. I'm wondering if the grapevine will make me need to stop and charge along the way.

TIA

We do that route almost every month - more often during the harvest season - we live in So Calfi and have a farm in southern Fresno county and it's become routine for us.

As @StevenC56 said, we always stop at the mega Tesla Superchargers in Tejon Ranch outlets for clean bathrooms, bite to eat, and very convenient off the 5/99 fwy junction.

As a matter of fact, Tejon Ranch outlet was my very first Tesla charging experience after getting an adapter in March 2024.

If you find yourself wanting to top off for free at the top of the grapevine, there's a CA DOT fast charger (5 stalls), going southbound only, for a decent 72kW CCS1 at no cost.

BTW, noticed you are an aviation maintenance instructor - where do you teach ?

I am taking aviation classes at Mt San Antonio College - finished my PPL ground and passed the FAA PAR test; next classes I am going for are commercial and IFR ground....

 

[Fremont Kid]

Perhaps this comparison can help provide some estimates. Here in Colorado I have found that all things being equal, the MME recovers downhill 50% of the energy needed to travel uphill. Not an exact metric but holds generally. Of course more energy can be recovered if the downhill is much longer than the uphill. Kind of fun to track this type of energy use and recovery as you drive.
All the best.

 

[Mr Card AMT]

We do that route almost every month - more often during the harvest season - we live in So Calfi and have a farm in southern Fresno county and it's become routine for us.

As @StevenC56 said, we always stop at the mega Tesla Superchargers in Tejon Ranch outlets for clean bathrooms, bite to eat, and very convenient off the 5/99 fwy junction.

As a matter of fact, Tejon Ranch outlet was my very first Tesla charging experience after getting an adapter in March 2024.

If you find yourself wanting to top off for free at the top of the grapevine, there's a CA DOT fast charger (5 stalls), going southbound only, for a decent 72kW CCS1 at no cost.

BTW, noticed you are an aviation maintenance instructor - where do you teach ?

I am taking aviation classes at Mt San Antonio College - finished my PPL ground and passed the FAA PAR test; next classes I am going for are commercial and IFR ground....

I live in Visalia, but I work at Reedley College.

Either Tejon Ranch or Frazier park sound like good options. I'm pretty certain I can make the full trip down with one charge if I start at 100%, but the return trip is uncertain, since I don't know what the hotel charging situation will be.

Still, we often stop at Tejon for a snack or a restroom break, so topping off there makes sense.

 

[Discwizard70]

I'm Fresno based, and I regularly make the trip to Orange County in both my MachE and my Lightning Flash. Like others state, similar to ICE vehicles, you lose a decent chunk going uphill, but gain nearly the amount back on the way down. Not quite what you lost, but reasonably close. There is a charger at the peak for those who need a semi emergency charge, there are also Tesla Superchargers in Teton, EA in Castiac, etc. You should have zero issues. I typically stop at the outlets at the base of the grapevine and maximize my charge while minimizing my bladder, whether I need to or not, as a precaution. When you get to the other side, there are literally tons of charging options in the LA area near almost any destination imaginable.
You will have no problem with your trip in your sweet looking and max comfort Mustang! Have a safe drive!

 

[janstubbs]

I live in central CA, but I'm planning a trip to the LA area. What kind of range penalty would I expect to see going south over the grapevine? Will the downhill side somewhat balance out the big climb, or should I expect a big loss in efficiency compared to what I would see on a level road? Based on the mileage only (about 170 miles), I should easily get to my destination without stopping. I'm wondering if the grapevine will make me need to stop and charge along the way.

TIA

You will lose 35 or 40 miles going up the grade, but you get most of it back going down the backside. There is a free caltrans charger near lebec.

 

[joebruin77]

There is another newer place to charge if you are heading southbound before you reach the grapevine - the Rivian Adventure Network DCFC in Buttonwillow, CA. There are 9 Rivian stations (along with a Tesla supercharger and 3 Chargepoint DCFC stations).

I charged my BMW iX at the Rivian station a few days ago with no issues.

Plus there is a Starbucks and Subway as well.

 

[MCred]

I have a 23 CA RT1 ext awd rated at 310 mi. I took scenic drive of over 210 miles from Denver thru Winter Park into Grand Lake, then took Trail Ridge Rd over to Estes Park and back thru Lyons and home. Denver elevation is ~5,000ft, Trail Ridge tops 12,000 ft. I started at 100%. My GOM was giving readings as low as 1.6 on the way up to Grand Lake, it was often stop and go or slow traffic up I70, so I was a bit concerned, but arrived in in Grand Lake with around a 60% charge, so no worries. Took off up the slow winding Trail Ridge Road and did not concern myself with reserve -- until a splash screen notice popped up on the monitor about not not having enough juice to reach a charger. The screen showed ~90 mi to go with a 105 mile range, so, again I was not too concerned. Screen showed 52% at the top of Trail Ridge Road. I just motored on with traffic ( always in engage mode with L selected, so almost no manual braking) and when I reached Estes Park, I had 55% charge showing. Drove South to Lyons, CO and it showed 57%. I made it home with over 41% charge.
I think this is good range. While I do not put a lot of trust in the battery remaining indications, these numbers indicate a range of over 310 miles, so something is squirrelly with these numbers, but I love the regenerative braking.

 

[Fremont Kid]

There is another newer place to charge if you are heading southbound before you reach the grapevine - the Rivian Adventure Network DCFC in Buttonwillow, CA. There are 9 Rivian stations (along with a Tesla supercharger and 3 Chargepoint DCFC stations).

I charged my BMW iX at the Rivian station a few days ago with no issues.

Plus there is a Starbucks and Subway as well.

Good to know the Rivian Adventure Network is not restricted to Rivians.

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