Mach E New Owner Questions/Advice

[Smack94]

Good morning, I recently pre-ordered a Mach E Select AWD. It is supposed to arrive in November 2022. The dealer said if I wait a few months after that he could grab me a Mach E 2023. So, it will be one of the two! I'm here with a few questions that I'm hoping some of the experts here could clarify, and even reassure me on a few things.

100% charged Range (from what I gathered online):
364km/228mi Highway
340km/211mi Combined

Here is some info on my driving habits and home setup:
- Vehicle will be parked outside and can be plugged into 240v
- At work, I would only have access to 120v
- During the winter, I drive 35km (21mi) to work and 35km back (70km/43mi total)
- Remaining seasons: 70km (43mi) to work, 70km back. (140km/87mi total)

I live in Quebec, Canada, and it gets really cold. I mean, really cold. This winter has seen temperatures as low as -35C (-31F) excluding the wind chill. It is well known (and understandable) that EV batteries don't perform as well in the winter.

1. How much of a reduction in battery mileage would I be getting during the winter? I will precondition the Mach E on the 240v at home in the mornings.

2. Would plugging into 120v at work enable me to precondition battery during my work hours? Or is this feature only available on 240v?

3. On a nice day in the summer, what would be the mileage of an 80% charged battery? What about a very cold winter day?

I am aware the mileage depends heavily on one's driving habits. These are my main concerns because working for the railway requires me to be ready to get up and go in case of an emergency (within the mileage that I wrote above) especially during the winter.

Correct me on any of this, as I am here for advice. Thank you for taking the time to read, looking forward to the replies!

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[agdad]

Sounds like the dealer wants a car to mark up and sell while you continue your wait !

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

You are certainly coming into this better informed than most. So congrats. Let me see if I can help you out. I live just south of the border in Northern NY on the shore of the St Lawrence so our weather is much the same.

One false assumption I see is that you’ll get better milage on the highway. Highway cruising is faster (requiring more energy) and constant (no slowing down to regenerate) so it’s actually less efficient. You’ll get less miles on the highway.

It appears based on the numbers you are quoting, you ordered a standard range, which can be harsh in the winter. On to your questions.

1. expect a 33-40% range drop in the coldest of winter. Maybe as much as 50% if you’re going fast on highways. Preconditioning at home will help as the battery will be pre-warmed. But you’ll still see at least 33% loss.
2. Plugging in to a 120 socket won’t keep your battery preconditioned while you are at work. It will replace about 1% of the battery’s charge per hour while you’re at work. And allow you to preheat the passenger compartment. But it won’t preheat the battery.
3. On a nice summer day, 80% battery should net 170 miles (270km). In the winter you’re looking at 160-180km. And these are only if you drive to the unrealistic EPA standard of 50% city driving (stop and go at about 35MPH) and 50% highway (with speeds not over 60MPH)

 

[heisnuts]

Given your environment and driving requirement, I would recommend the extended range battery. As I am sure you have seen on this forum your range will vary greatly depending on conditions, and in your situation I would want to have that buffer of the bigger battery. It should not be a big deal this early in your ordering process to have your dealer change your order.

 

[Smack94]

You are certainly coming into this better informed than most. So congrats. Let me see if I can help you out. I live just south of the border in Northern NY on the shore of the St Lawrence so our weather is much the same.

One false assumption I see is that you’ll get better milage on the highway. Highway cruising is faster (requiring more energy) and constant (no slowing down to regenerate) so it’s actually less efficient. You’ll get less miles on the highway.

It appears based on the numbers you are quoting, you ordered a standard range, which can be harsh in the winter. On to your questions.

1. expect a 33-40% range drop in the coldest of winter. Maybe as much as 50% if you’re going fast on highways. Preconditioning at home will help as the battery will be pre-warmed. But you’ll still see at least 33% loss.
2. Plugging in to a 120 socket won’t keep your battery preconditioned while you are at work. It will replace about 1% of the battery’s charge per hour while you’re at work. And allow you to preheat the passenger compartment. But it won’t preheat the battery.
3. On a nice summer day, 80% battery should net 170 miles (270km). In the winter you’re looking at 160-180km. And these are only if you drive to the unrealistic EPA standard of 50% city driving (stop and go at about 35MPH) and 50% highway (with speeds not over 60MPH)

Thanks for the quick response! I have considered the Premium extended range however it wouldn’t qualify for the 13,000$ combined rebates of both Canadian and Quebec governments. So it would end up costing upwards of 70k (CDN) before tax/financing.

My spouse will be getting her new vehicle in May 2023, in which she is probably going to get a PHEV. This would allow us to travel longer distances. The summer/winter mileages you gave me will do the job just fine for me!

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