Range decrease due to cold weather / winter! -- Explanation & how to calculate actual range

[OWG]

@Administrator

This has been suggested previously, but I am making the request again.

The below needs to be added as a sticky. If I misattributed it please correct the attribution.

Hello, it looks like you are new and might be complaining about your cold-weather range decrease without having referenced the numerous threads on this subject. Due to high volume of questions, this is a pre-written response to help alleviate your concerns. Remember to use the search function before creating a new thread, as forum members are fatigued with new users asking this same question over and over again almost daily.​

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TL;DR - Range decreases due to cold weather, the range display is a highly pessimistic guess not to be taken literally, and you might update your software if you want to see a higher number.​

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First, understand that some range loss in cold weather is normal due to the laws of physics. Chemical reactions in the battery are more sluggish, the air is more dense to push through causing more drag, and your heater takes more electricity to run than A/C. The colder it is, the less your range will be because of these factors.​

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Second, know that the range you see on your display is just a guess. It can be off 40% or more from reality on some software versions. Do not take the number literally or you will be upset, nothing is wrong with your car. Unlike other brands like Tesla, Ford has made the reading extremely conservative and sensitive to cold temperatures on purpose, so that you don’t strand yourself in cold weather. Expect a sharp decrease in the reading below about 50ºF/10ºC that is greater than reality.​

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Third, be aware that software updates have been released that increase the accuracy of the range display in cold weather significantly. If you haven’t had software updates done at your dealer yet, you should consider doing so because you are missing out on a lot of improvements (CSP 21P22 released Nov 22, 2021). After the update, you may see up to 30% more range displayed even though your actual range is unchanged.​

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You can calculate your actual range yourself by simply noting the battery percentage before and after a trip greater than 20 miles. For example, if a 25 mile trip took 12% battery, 25/.12 = 208 mile range at full charge. Another method is to multiply your mi/kWh efficiency by your battery capacity, either 88 kWh for extended range or 68 kWh for standard range. For example, if you are getting 2.6 mi/kWh in an extended range, 2.6*88 = 229 miles of range. Please note that in cold weather, the actual capacity of the pack will temporarily decrease some, so 80/62 kWh may be a better capacity figure to use for an estimate in cold weather. Full capacity will return next summer with warmer temps.​

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The amount of actual range loss may vary due to many factors, but to provide a generic reference, a loss of 35% at 20ºF/-7ºC would be typical in average driving. This would equate to a range of approximately 176 mi / 137 mi for extended/standard packs. The percentage range drop compared to summer is also inversely proportional to the speed you drive due to the heater’s percentage of total energy use. If you drive in a city you may see a 40% drop in range, vs. a 25% drop driving on the interstate.​

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In summary, remember the range display is always a pessimistic guess, and your actual range will be greater than indicated. Remember to get those dealer updates done to increase your satisfaction. Parking in a garage, plugging in, and using departure times will help keep the battery warm and increase your actual range. Enjoy driving your electric car after gaining an understanding of normal cold weather range loss and the pessimistic guessing of the range display, affectionally called the GOM (Guess-O-Meter).​

Credit: Mach-Lee

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[nvabill]

Glad they made this a sticky.

 

[OWG]

The newbies won't read it, they will just start another thread, "HELP MY RANGE HAS GONE DOWN, IS THIS RIGHT ?" ! ?

But if it is a sticky, we don't have to bang on them about did you search first - We can bang on them about reading the post that doesn't rotate off.

 

[nvabill]

But if it is a sticky, we don't have to bang on them about did you search first - We can bang on them about reading the post that doesn't rotate off.

I know, just messin with you this morning.

 

[UK-Buyer]

Hi I was going to start a new range thread, as I know how much people like talking about range issues but decided against it and apologies if this particular fix has already been mentioned.
I took my car in for the windscreen and sunroof re attachment recall and as part of this is was told l would also be getting some software updates one of which was too fix a fault with the GOM.
As the weather started getting cold my range had dropped considerably to about 145miles at 90% SOC.
Although I haven't got my car back yet, they must have completed the up date as my range on the app now says 253 miles at 87% SOC so maybe some people have a point when they say their range has dropped recently and the cold weather is just a coincidence.

 

[RickMachE]

Hi I was going to start a new range thread, as I know how much people like talking about range issues but decided against it and apologies if this particular fix has already been mentioned.
I took my car in for the windscreen and sunroof re attachment recall and as part of this is was told l would also be getting some software updates one of which was too fix a fault with the GOM.
As the weather started getting cold my range had dropped considerably to about 145miles at 90% SOC.
Although I haven't got my car back yet, they must have completed the up date as my range on the app now says 253 miles at 87% SOC so maybe some people have a point when they say their range has dropped recently and the cold weather is just a coincidence.

Your range has updated for one reason, and one reason only - they reset your driving history. So it goes to the default, which is summer. You'll see that number drop and drop in the next few days.

If you look at 21P22, you'll see that it was to, among other things, "improved range in cold weather" and "display range accuracy".

None of that changed you from 145 to 262 miles range at 90% SOC. That's just the reset.

Cold weather kills range. Period.

 

[Learch74]

We're in a cold snap in Eastern Canada. Our range on the LR battery is now down to about 280KM at 100%. This is a disappointment from the Mach-E. Before the Mach-E came out, we had a Kia Soul EV, ER battery. I really think the heat pump in the Soul made a big difference. The range in the Soul only dropped about 10%, the Mach-E is about 25%. At -15C, you need to have the cabin air on Recirculate just to bring the temp in the cabin to a reasonable level. I have ordered a lightning, I hope ford improves this some in the truck.

 

[chris e]

Hi I was going to start a new range thread, as I know how much people like talking about range issues but decided against it and apologies if this particular fix has already been mentioned.
I took my car in for the windscreen and sunroof re attachment recall and as part of this is was told l would also be getting some software updates one of which was too fix a fault with the GOM.
As the weather started getting cold my range had dropped considerably to about 145miles at 90% SOC.
Although I haven't got my car back yet, they must have completed the up date as my range on the app now says 253 miles at 87% SOC so maybe some people have a point when they say their range has dropped recently and the cold weather is just a coincidence.

my extended range battery range now get far less than 200 miles, and no one at ford knows what to say or do . We also have a Tesla model 3 abd the battery range is not affected nearly as much by the cold

 

[Learch74]

my extended range battery range now get far less than 200 miles, and no one at ford knows what to say or do . We also have a Tesla model 3 abd the battery range is not affected nearly as much by the cold

Does the Tesla have a heat pump? I really want to blame the conventional heater. I doubt there is a fix, if thats the issue.

 

[RickMachE]

OMG....

 

[Bdog88]

Same. My summer range with our extended battery was close to 300 miles based on how we drive, now in 20 degree F weather, 145 miles. A shame.

 

[Maquis]

Can we get an eye roll emoji attached to the “Like” link? ?

 

[UK-Buyer]

my extended range battery range now get far less than 200 miles, and no one at ford knows what to say or do . We also have a Tesla model 3 abd the battery range is not affected nearly as much by the cold

Grrrr.... Mine only lasted the one charge up at 250, now only just scrapes its way up to 190 at 90% SOC, still better than the 150 I was getting but still not great

 

[TargaGone]

I have read and searched and certainly know the temperature related performance issues with battery output. This seems to be the place to post the following question rather than start a new OMG GOM thread.

HOWEVER - who can tell me if there is information about this:
The battery is warmed to improve output. Is the WHOLE DAMN battery warmed? It would make sense to me that a 'segment' being used or soon to be used would be prepared for use. If this is already addressed then please correct me.

 

[kltye]

I have read and searched and certainly know the temperature related performance issues with battery output. This seems to be the place to post the following question rather than start a new OMG GOM thread.

HOWEVER - who can tell me if there is information about this:
The battery is warmed to improve output. Is the WHOLE DAMN battery warmed? It would make sense to me that a 'segment' being used or soon to be used would be prepared for use. If this is already addressed then please correct me.

The entire pack functions as a single battery, so the entire pack is used to power the car, not just one segment. So yes, the entire pack has to be warmed.

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