Mileage range dropped 27% when starting Ford Navigation trip

[konnerth]

I took my first long trip in my Mach-E since I purchased it. I charged to 100% on my home charger and set a departure time to condition battery and cabin. About 30 minutes after departure time I unplugged and started it up and it showed 290 mile range. I created a route using the Ford Navigation system to my first planned destination 212 miles away (a really nice Supercharger site at SLO Public Market). I began driving and noticed my range immediately dropped to 212 miles. Then the navigation warned me I didn't have sufficient charge to make it to my destination and wanted to add a charging stop. I stopped and powered off, but range was still at 212. I reluctantly added a stop in Soledad as my wife didn't want to wait any longer.

Was this a bug, or did I do something wrong?

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[Pioneer74]

Navigation will take terrain and speed into account and adjust your GOM to compensate for it. The range reduction is normal.

 

[konnerth]

OK, thanks! It was a strange coincidence to have the range reduced to the exact length of the trip. And when I entered that destination the night before it seemed fine (and within the range circle).

Based on my experience I think I would have gotten there without the added stop (I added 22 kWh in Soledad and then 37 KwH in SLO to get back to 80% each time)

 

[Mach-Lee]

I took my first long trip in my Mach-E since I purchased it. I charged to 100% on my home charger and set a departure time to condition battery and cabin. About 30 minutes after departure time I unplugged and started it up and it showed 290 mile range. I created a route using the Ford Navigation system to my first planned destination 212 miles away (a really nice Supercharger site at SLO Public Market). I began driving and noticed my range immediately dropped to 212 miles. Then the navigation warned me I didn't have sufficient charge to make it to my destination and wanted to add a charging stop. I stopped and powered off, but range was still at 212. I reluctantly added a stop in Soledad as my wife didn't want to wait any longer.

Was this a bug, or did I do something wrong?

The navigation was correct, because you will be driving faster speeds on a trip, your range will be less and your range meter will be adjusted based on anticipated energy consumption. This happens if you usually drive the car slow (sub-highway speeds) and then decide to take a trip, because your range is not constant, it's inversely proportional to speed.

212 miles on the highway is typically going to require one charging stop unless it's summer.

 

[hybrid2bev]

OK, thanks! It was a strange coincidence to have the range reduced to the exact length of the trip. And when I entered that destination the night before it seemed fine (and within the range circle).

Based on my experience I think I would have gotten there without the added stop (I added 22 kWh in Soledad and then 37 KwH in SLO to get back to 80% each time)

It’s called Intelligent Range and it doesn’t update until after you start driving. If you punched in your destination but didn’t drive you wouldn’t have seen the updated range.

https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/electric-vehicles/ev-range/what-is-intelligent-range/

 

[TheVirtualTim]

You'll usually (briefly) see a message on the driver display that tells you the range was updated based on your destination.

 

[konnerth]

Thank you all for your helpful advice!

Since I pre-conditioned the battery and it was a sunny day in the 60s, I assumed I would get much higher range. Now I know to expect much less than advertised.

 

[MacherAWD]

Thank you all for your helpful advice!

Since I pre-conditioned the battery and it was a sunny day in the 60s, I assumed I would get much higher range. Now I know to expect much less than advertised.

Personally in that situation I make note of 212 mile away destination, then think of another charge stop along the way to use as an emergency. I leave and see 212 to destination and 212 left in range. Just glance at those numbers every 10min or so, if it starts to show you have more range left then needed you are fine, if that gap starts closing, or you have less range then distance remaining then plan to stop.

I have a Select up in new england. Whenever I road trip my car says "you wont make it to that stop" and then I watch the trend, and low and behold I end up making it with plenty left. Also by watching that gap you can adjust, so you have less than needed, slow down a few mph and wait and see if you will make it. Honestly it gives me something to do while on roadtrips.

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