Shouldn't my Display read 270 @100%

[timbop]

to answer the original question about the displayed range (aka "the guess-o-meter"):

1. Because the car doesn't know how far, how fast, in what conditions, etc it cannot be exact unless you actually put in a route right then - and even that is an approximation based on modeling. Thus the GOM is intentionally conservative as a "worst case" scenario to prevent people from getting stranded because the GOM said they can go farther than they actually can. It tends to be more conservative for this very reason; Ford has been underpromising and overdelivering on the Mach E. While that confounds newbies, doing a little research results in recognizing the issue and not being alarmed by it. By contrast Tesla overestimates their range on their GOM in all conditions; see plenty of actual "real world" driving tests by insideevs, alexonautos, edmunds, etc.
2. ICE engines are only 30% to 40% efficient, with the majority of energy being lost as heat. In winter that is an advantage because the heat that would otherwise be wasted is used to heat the cabin. BEV's are by contrast 95% efficient with minimal energy lost as heat. In the winter the car has to use extra energy to heat the cabin. That is why they tell you to use the seat and steering wheel heaters instead of heating the cabin if you can, because there is a lot less to heat up. The chemistry of Li-ion batteries is to blame as well: the liquid electrolyte loses viscosity (and thus potency) as temps drop well below freezing. At 30 to 40 degrees F it is minimal, but once you get down to around zero or below it becomes an issue. The 2 factors (no waste heat and chemistry) combine for some loss (10% to 20%) in range once it gets down to freezing or below. Therefore in really cold (-30 degree) temps like in Alaska the car's actual range does drop by 40% to 50%. In more reasonable climates (20 degree temps) effective range drops by 20% to 30%.
3. EVERY BEV experiences this issue right now; it is not unique to Ford. That is one of the reasons they are all investing so heavily in solid state batteries: "dry" batteries do not experience the issue with the electrolyte in cold weather.

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[kevC]

Mine used to show 260 at 90% but it got cold here and is now showing 220. OMG IS MY BATTERY FAULTY SHOULD I ROLL IT IN THE RIVER?

 

[Scooby24]

I filled up my M40i the other day...100% full of fuel...and yet my estimated range wouldn't show the maximum EPA range, it keeps changing! Should I file a lawsuit?

 

[Logal727]

Mine used to show 260 at 90% but it got cold here and is now showing 220. OMG IS MY BATTERY FAULTY SHOULD I ROLL IT IN THE RIVER?

Did you turn it off and on again?

 

[Logal727]

Here's a post written by @Mach-Lee on low range threads that you might find helpful:

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.

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.

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.

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, it is not the true range. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Can this pop-up with every post with the word Range in it? I also think we should add that the CSP is only available for earlier builds that adjusts range estimates.

 

[Carsinmyblood]

Given that the same car is built to operate in 120*F AND -20*F weather, I'd say it's a moderately successful design.

 

[Carsinmyblood]

Mine used to show 260 at 90% but it got cold here and is now showing 220. OMG IS MY BATTERY FAULTY SHOULD I ROLL IT IN THE RIVER?

Send it to my house. It'll take some years, but I'll figure it out for ya.

 

[Logal727]

I feel bad dunking on these threads cause it's really the dealers to blame that are selling EVs and literally know nothing about them. Hopefully OP isn't taking this personally, but there should now be plenty of threads addressing this issue if someone is looking it up.

Ford also sent out a FordPass news item discussing cold weather range (I'm guessing because they've been getting lots of dealer visits).

 

[sockmeister]

I almost think there should be a "BEFORE YOU START THIS THREAD..." popup for all new threads created here during the winter.

It should quiz the user on whether they've searched for similar posts about decreased winter range, before posting.

 

[BMT1071]

I feel bad dunking on these threads cause it's really the dealers to blame that are selling EVs and literally know nothing about them. Hopefully OP isn't taking this personally, but there should now be plenty of threads addressing this issue if someone is looking it up.

Ford also sent out a FordPass news item discussing cold weather range (I'm guessing because they've been getting lots of dealer visits).

Half of me agrees with you and half puts the responsibility on the owner. How do you buy a car that has a completely different powertrain and fuel than anything you have owned before without doing extensive research? ? ? ?‍ ?‍

 

[sockmeister]

Half of me agrees with you and half puts the responsibility on the owner. How do you buy a car that has a completely different powertrain and fuel than anything you have owned before without doing extensive research? ? ? ?‍ ?‍

I sort of agree... most of us here do this kind of research, and know all about the car before it ever arrives.

But for the rest of the general public, that's just not something they prioritize.

It's sort of a catch-22 too. Should the car just show the EPA range regardless of weather, like Tesla?
Or would that lead to more complains when it doesn't meet that range?

I think the ultimate solution is to not show am estimated mileage range AT ALL. Just show the battery percentage, much like ICE cars just show the fuel tank %.

 

[Chicago-E]

I cannot believe these threads continue. unbelievable.

 

[Carsinmyblood]

OMG IS MY BATTERY FAULTY SHOULD I ROLL IT IN THE RIVER?

Try egg wash and then roll it in bread crumbs for a crunchy crust instead.

 

[generaltso]

I think the ultimate solution is to not show am estimated mileage range AT ALL. Just show the battery percentage, much like ICE cars just show the fuel tank %.

Most modern ICE cars do show an estimated distance until empty. But for some reason most people seem to be fine with that estimate being inaccurate. It’s a people problem.

 

[SyNRG]

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