Is AWD worth if you need range?

[TGIF]

I started with a CR1 as I felt I needed every bit of range. That anxiety soon dissipated and I switched to a Premium. No regrets. I live in the Midwest of the US where we get snow. A friend who I trust on automotive issues (in the motorcycle business) considers AWD a great safety feature that he won’t let his wife go without.

Sponsored

 

[4sallypat]

Go with RWD. more range equals less stress, and as others have stated, my SR battery is more than adequate for my needs.

Agree - RWD is FUN.

Love the RWD bias and power turn out of corners !

Reminds me of the BMWs I used to drive over 20 years ago....

Standard range battery is more than fine for me - as I get way more than the sticker due to year round warm weather urban driving.

 

[PharaohHound138]

Count on half the stated range and ask yourself if you drive THAT much in a given week? Range anxiety is really an overhyped thing. You’ll probably be surprised how long 150-200 miles will actually last you. Also, download and play around with charging apps. You may also be surprised at where chargers may be hidden close to your work or home.

 

[Blue highway]

Agree - RWD is FUN.

Love the RWD bias and power turn out of corners !

Reminds me of the BMWs I used to drive over 20 years ago....

Standard range battery is more than fine for me - as I get way more than the sticker due to year round warm weather urban driving.

yeah, in the spring, summer, and fall, around town, I beat the EPA, but not by as much as you... more like 245 for me. In the winter (45 degrees F)... well... we know how that goes

 

[Fremont Kid]

Great feedback from everyone, especially that you should understand year-round driving conditions and your driving/charging needs. Based on my experience with RWD, FWD and AWD vehicles I recommend you consider the 'push' versus 'pull' function of each.
Remember that most spin problems associated with RWD ICE cars is because most of the weight is at the front due to engine position, creating a 'push' problem at the single rear power/drive wheel. The added weight and more even weight distribution for EVs may overcome the spin 'push' problem for most weather conditions. But I want to account for the most extreme conditions I may encounter.
FWD provides better traction because the ICE vehicle engine weight is directly over the power/drive wheel, creating a 'pull' function. I'm not aware of any Ford EV FWD versions.
AWD applies both the 'push' and 'pull' functions, amounting to what I have experienced as better performance during icy, snowy and pooled water conditions. I recommend an AWD because this will perform better in your most extreme conditions.

 

[JasonG]

I believe the AWD would make for higher resale/trade-in value down the road if you end up selling.

 

[SolarAB]

I have two MME to choose. Both have extended range. One with RWD with a range of 379 miles and one with AWD that has more horse power but less range (335 miles). Both have exact the same price.

I just got a 444 km range estimate in good weather on the AWD. (larger battery) I didn't run it to zero on that trip, but had great mileage, did a round trip without charging. We've been very happy with the range on our Mach E. However, in the winter we lose up to 30% in range, so there is that issue if it's -30C. You'll want a car with a heat pump if you do a lot of travelling in winter.

 

[Mach1E]

I just got a 444 km range estimate in good weather on the AWD. (larger battery) I didn't run it to zero on that trip, but had great mileage, did a round trip without charging. We've been very happy with the range on our Mach E. However, in the winter we lose up to 30% in range, so there is that issue if it's -30C. You'll want a car with a heat pump if you do a lot of travelling in winter.

Heat pump doesn’t work at -30C.

https://www.lifewire.com/how-well-d... typically capable,over to a resistive heater.

“Heat pumps are typically capable of operating in EVs in temperatures down to about 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, although efficiency does drop off the colder it gets. In even colder temperatures, it becomes more efficient to switch over to a resistive heater.”

 

[Art]

I have two MME to choose. Both have extended range. One with RWD with a range of 379 miles and one with AWD that has more horse power but less range (335 miles). Both have exact the same price.

I dont really care about the performance and since I dont have a home charger, range is more important for me. The only reason why I would choose the AWD version is because the seller is more trustworthy (big garage chain) and also offers better guarantees and the other one is a small one. And the AWD has ambient light but thats just a small cool feature that is not really necessary.

Does the difference in range really make a big difference in reality? What would you sugest?

AWD is only needed in Northern climes, otherwise it is a range defeater.
Climate change is a real thing and although I live I New Jersey, we don't have a problem with snow as we once did. So I have a RWD.

 

[billy_at]

No MME can do 379 miles, even on a good day coasting down hill a bunch.

I can tell you're not a CA Route 1 owner...

 

[Chris D]

I have two MME to choose. Both have extended range. One with RWD with a range of 379 miles and one with AWD that has more horse power but less range (335 miles). Both have exact the same price.

I dont really care about the performance and since I dont have a home charger, range is more important for me. The only reason why I would choose the AWD version is because the seller is more trustworthy (big garage chain) and also offers better guarantees and the other one is a small one. And the AWD has ambient light but thats just a small cool feature that is not really necessary.

Does the difference in range really make a big difference in reality? What would you sugest?

Since you live in Switzerland, I'll respond with my experience, in kilometers (I live in Belgium).
I'm in a similar situation as you discribed, range is priority #1, power is nice (I have an Aston Martin also lol), but this is my work car, so range is the main thing.
I don't have a home charger either, all the more reason to prioritize range.
That's why I didn't go for the AWD, but for the RWD premium extended range.

How does it perform?
I do lots of kilometers for work, i.e. 400-500 per day and am not bothered with speeding anymore as it's costly with the fines and barely buys you time anyway.
My Musti does 500-530km in reality, which is mainly on highway. Not bad at all, but consider this is during current summer time. That'll drop during winter time.

Charging trouble?
Not at all! Frankly, I was most concerned about this. But there's much more charging possibilities than you'd expect.
Most of the time, I can charge at one of our site or customer sites. There's enough fast chargers on the highways too. Nerver had a single problem with chargers. All accept my card, no single issue. Literally takes seconds to start a charging session in BE or NL.

How slow is it?
Well, not as fast as my Aston, but the feeling is different. The torque is immediate, the power keeps coming, you're speeding in a matter of seconds, even with the RWD. My wife still hang on to the door grip when I accellerate, which she never did with my previous BMW 5 series.

Ambient lighting?
You get it with the premium version, also on the RWD. At least in Belgium you do. Maybe check again. And I know we don't have BlueCruze in Europe yet, but the driver assists are as good as BlueCruze. Just keep your hands on the wheel and the car will drive itself (mainly on highways), better than any of my BMW's or Audi's did.

So, back to your question...
The RWD has plenty of power if speed is not your priority.
Go for the extended range, it's great to have that extra.
Living in CH vs BE... you may need AWD more than I do with all the snow, but I can't comment on the states of the roads where you drive and live.

Whichever you choose, I hope you enjoy your Mach E as much as I do!

 

[Mach1E]

AWD is only needed in Northern climes, otherwise it is a range defeater.
Climate change is a real thing and although I live I New Jersey, we don't have a problem with snow as we once did. So I have a RWD.

Helps with rain in the south and traction for acceleration everywhere.

AWD is good for things other than just snow. Plus with an electric car it comes with extra horsepower (if you’re into that sorta thing).

 

[Fixbear]

I've yet to drive in heavy snow, but for me the MME has great RWD traction control. I don't see AWD as necessary unless you're heavy into performance (need launch hookup) or drive in a lot of snow.

As for "no home charger" if you have 120v outlet near where you park at night then you can charge. I drive so infrequently the 120v is more than enough for me. I get 60 miles in 14 hours overnight, which more than covers any driving I do during the day. I was all set to get a 240 outlet but I don't need it for my use.

AtomicInternet, I don't believe they have 110V in Switzerland or Sweden. Their normal is 230V.

 

[SolarAB]

Heat pump doesn’t work at -30C.
“Heat pumps are typically capable of operating in EVs in temperatures down to about 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, although efficiency does drop off the colder it gets. In even colder temperatures, it becomes more efficient to switch over to a resistive heater.”

I note that the article doesn't say they don't work, but that they work less well. I'm curious how the design of EV heating systems approaches this issue. Do they combine heat pumps with resistive heating and switch from one to the other?

 

[Mach1E]

I note that the article doesn't say they don't work, but that they work less well. I'm curious how the design of EV heating systems approaches this issue. Do they combine heat pumps with resistive heating and switch from one to the other?

I think it depends on the manufacturer.

I know for the heat pump in my house, you can hit “emergency heat” when it’s super cold outside and the heat strip turns on to help the pump.

Either way, heat pumps are really only good for places with mild winters. That why we have them in Florida but they aren’t popular up north.

Sponsored