What efficiency do you get if you drive an EV like an ICE?

[AjzRide]

Finally picked up my MMe (Premium, ER, RWD) this morning in Forth Worth and set out immediately for Houston. Using "A Better Route Planner" I elected to come down I-45 instead of I-35 because there were more charging stations with better reviews, even though it was a 30 minute longer trip. When I set out this morning, I decided make the trip exactly like I would in my F150 Ecoboost, meaning I would make no concessions to my trip to try and increase range. Before I set out I turned-on intelligent adaptive cruise and set it for +9 and hit the road. Pretty quickly I realized that if I stayed at +9 I was going to get run over by all the FX4 and Z71 trucks doing +20, so I sped up and keep pace with traffic for the duration of the trip. The weather was very nice today (low 60s) so I didn't lose any efficiency for climate control or weather. After getting free of Dallas my first schedule top off was in Ennis, but I was only at 78% percent, so I skipped that one to roll on to Madisonville. With a speed limit of 75 for the stretch between Dallas and Madisonville, traffic moved between 82-90 most of the way. By time I got to the charging station at the Walmart, I had averaged for the whole leg 77 mph at 2.6 mi/kWH. I had left Fort Worth at 98% and I was down to 32% with the GOM reading 77 miles.

Charging was completely painless, the Electrify America app showed 4 stations: (2) unavailable, (1)350W available, and (1) 150W available. Since they were all empty I plugged into the 350W jack, and it immediately started charging. I didn't haver to mess with the app or put in a credit card, it just started rolling. It charged at 136kW for 32 minutes and I cut it off as soon as it hit 80%.

The leg from Madisonville to Houston was much hillier than I remember, but I still managed to keep the 2.6mi/KW average, the speed limit dropping to 65 for the last 80 miles probably helped offset the elevation issues.

So at highway speeds, 2.6kW hours means that if you are running 10%-80% at charge stations, an ER battery will need to stop about every 160 miles (every 2 hours) for about 45 minutes of charging.

In my F150, I have a 36 gallon tank and gets 21 mpg at 80mph, so I usually stop every 5 hours for a 15 minute break because the gas tank last longer than my bladder. I'm going to love the MMe for around town, but EVs are not ready for road trips yet, at least not for me.

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[Regularmache]

Finally picked up my MMe (Premium, ER, RWD) this morning in Forth Worth and set out immediately for Houston. Using "A Better Route Planner" I elected to come down I-45 instead of I-35 because there were more charging stations with better reviews, even though it was a 30 minute longer trip. When I set out this morning, I decided make the trip exactly like I would in my F150 Ecoboost, meaning I would make no concessions to my trip to try and increase range. Before I set out I turned-on intelligent adaptive cruise and set it for +9 and hit the road. Pretty quickly I realized that if I stayed at +9 I was going to get run over by all the FX4 and Z71 trucks doing +20, so I sped up and keep pace with traffic for the duration of the trip. The weather was very nice today (low 60s) so I didn't lose any efficiency for climate control or weather. After getting free of Dallas my first schedule top off was in Ennis, but I was only at 78% percent, so I skipped that one to roll on to Madisonville. With a speed limit of 75 for the stretch between Dallas and Madisonville, traffic moved between 82-90 most of the way. By time I got to the charging station at the Walmart, I had averaged for the whole leg 77 mph at 2.6 mi/kWH. I had left Fort Worth at 98% and I was down to 32% with the GOM reading 77 miles.

Charging was completely painless, the Electrify America app showed 4 stations: (2) unavailable, (1)350W available, and (1) 150W available. Since they were all empty I plugged into the 350W jack, and it immediately started charging. I didn't haver to mess with the app or put in a credit card, it just started rolling. It charged at 136kW for 32 minutes and I cut it off as soon as it hit 80%.

The leg from Madisonville to Houston was much hillier than I remember, but I still managed to keep the 2.6mi/KW average, the speed limit dropping to 65 for the last 80 miles probably helped offset the elevation issues.

So at highway speeds, 2.6kW hours means that if you are running 10%-80% at charge stations, an ER battery will need to stop about every 160 miles (every 2 hours) for about 45 minutes of charging.

In my F150, I have a 36 gallon tank and gets 21 mpg at 80mph, so I usually stop every 5 hours for a 15 minute break because the gas tank last longer than my bladder. I'm going to love the MMe for around town, but EVs are not ready for road trips yet, at least not for me.

For us, once we realized we do 95-97% of our miles less than 300 mile trips for my wife's last four new vehicles, it's only then that we understood the overall time spent at the gas stations is going to be a huge time savings over the life of the car. Additionally, when we do road trips over 700 miles we rent anyway. Especially the Gulf coast to Detroit Auto show there and back in three days, or up and back to DC., The rental costs are lower than depreciation and maintenance of or own car.

 

[ARK]

Consider more frequent stops where you have to get up and out of the car to charge while driving long distances a fringe benefit of EV ownership.

 

[RedStallion]

In my F150, I have a 36 gallon tank and gets 21 mpg at 80mph, so I usually stop every 5 hours for a 15 minute break because the gas tank last longer than my bladder.

Driving for 5 hours and stopping for 15 mins ? How much fun is that?
Even when driving coast to coast I planned to drive no more than 500 miles a day, and I would have at least 2 stops for lunch and coffee or something to relax. Why the heck would anybody drive as if it was their job unless it is their job.

 

[JamieGeek]

In my F150, I have a 36 gallon tank and gets 21 mpg at 80mph, so I usually stop every 5 hours for a 15 minute break because the gas tank last longer than my bladder. I'm going to love the MMe for around town, but EVs are not ready for road trips yet, at least not for me.

Driving for 5 hours and stopping for 15 mins ? How much fun is that?
Even when driving coast to coast I planned to drive no more than 500 miles a day, and I would have at least 2 stops for lunch and coffee or something to relax. Why the heck would anybody drive as if it was their job unless it is their job.

Indeed: We can go 500 miles a tank in the RV and even with that we stop about every 2 hours to stretch the legs and use the facilities (either at a rest stop or in the RV...still have to stop)*.

*=ok in my 20s I did a road trip from MI->FL and only stopped for gas the entire 20 hours (stops combined gas/food/eliminate).

 

[Jimrpa]

I think this depends on driving styles. I have friends who are quite proud that they drive straight through from Philadelphia to Florida stopping only for gas and a few bathroom breaks. They’d go nuts with a 15-minute charging break, let alone anything longer!

 

[AjzRide]

I frequently have 10 hour drives for work, so I've learned to be fine for long trips with few breaks. We typically make the run from Houston to Gulf Shores so the kids can see Grandma, and they are always in a hurry to get there and don't even want to make one stop. We typically leave right after school at 3PM and get there are 1 AM on a Friday, having to come back on Sunday. Having to stop for 90 minutes for charges would put us getting in at 3AM, which makes it very hard to enjoy the one full day they have there on Saturday.

 

[JSW]

In my view, he MMe is an awesome daily commuter but a poor road tripper. I’m just not willing to drive 10-20 minutes out of my way and then spend another 30 minutes charging. To me, that is not a good use of my time.

The MMe (like all my cars) is supposed to add value to my life, not detract from it, so I use it as my daily 110 mile commuter vehicle, and keep it in the garage for road trips.

 

[ChasingCoral]

In my view, he MMe is an awesome daily commuter but a poor road tripper. I’m just not willing to drive 10-20 minutes out of my way and then spend another 30 minutes charging. To me, that is not a good use of my time.

The MMe (like all my cars) is supposed to add value to my life, not detract from it, so I use it as my daily 110 mile commuter vehicle, and keep it in the garage for road trips.

I've found the MME to be a great road-tripper. Very comfortable and looking forward to the BlueCruise update! On interstates I've never had to go 10-20 minutes out of my way. Most charging stations have taken 2-3 minutes of driving off freeway rather than the 1-2 for a gas station. Yes, charging takes ~30 minutes for a 20-80% charge. However, you often don't have to charge that long depending on your next planned stop and I've found there to be little downtime. I plan my meal stops and bathroom stops into these. After about 4000 miles of long-distance freeway driving, I'm sold!

 

[JSW]

I've found the MME to be a great road-tripper. Very comfortable and looking forward to the BlueCruise update! On interstates I've never had to go 10-20 minutes out of my way. Most charging stations have taken 2-3 minutes of driving off freeway rather than the 1-2 for a gas station. Yes, charging takes ~30 minutes for a 20-80% charge. However, you often don't have to charge that long depending on your next planned stop and I've found there to be little downtime. I plan my meal stops and bathroom stops into these. After about 4000 miles of long-distance freeway driving, I'm sold!

Cool! I also find the MMe to be comfortable.
Access to charging stations varies across our country depending on the route, and I’m glad you have readier access than do I.

I also believe some might truly enjoy planning their route, deciding where to charge, planning activities while charging, and that all this actually adds to the “experience” of owning an EV. For them (and you), the MMe could be a great road tripper.

After years of EV ownership, I’m certain that’s just not my thing. Frankly, I’ve found it embarrassing over the years to have to explain to the family why were stopping again, why I’m dropping them off where they want to eat and I’m going someplace else, why I’m leaving the in-laws house because I have to charge for the return trip, etc.

Perhaps stations are much more accessible today than in years past, and I’m certain they will be more so in the future. That said, if it involves inconvenience, I’m not interested.

BTW, “convenience” works in the MMe‘s favor as a daily commuter - I don't waste time pumping gas (and haven’t in years), and find it super convenient to just plug-in overnight while in my garage.

 

[shadowsjc]

Yesterday I took a ~2 hour trip about 90% on highways. 125 miles, probably averaged 80-85 mph on the highways, slower on the city roads obviously. I think I got around 2.8-2.9 kwh/mi. Weather was clear in the 60s.

I was originally hoping to do the entire 250 mi round trip without stopping to recharge - and if I had driven slower I might have done it. But as it stands my car is around 45% so I plan on stopping for 10-15 mins at a DC fast charger on the way home

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

I’m one who enjoys the “frequent” stops. To me, stopping every couple of hours for a stretch, a cup coffee, a bathroom, adds to the luxury of my travel. I’ve spent years doing vehicular force marches where I’ve maximized miles and minimized time. I no longer find driving 700-800+ miles a day enjoyable. If you do, then I would see that EV road trips are probbaly not your cup of tea. For me, the stops add to the enjoyment of the “road trip.”

 

[ChasingCoral]

I’m one who enjoys the “frequent” stops. To me, stopping every couple of hours for a stretch, a cup coffee, a bathroom, adds to the luxury of my travel. I’ve spent years doing vehicular force marches where I’ve maximized miles and minimized time. I no longer find driving 700-800+ miles a day enjoyable. If you do, then I would see that EV road trips are probbaly not your cup of tea. For me, the stops add to the enjoyment of the “road trip.”

?

 

[BMT1071]

I’m one who enjoys the “frequent” stops. To me, stopping every couple of hours for a stretch, a cup coffee, a bathroom, adds to the luxury of my travel. I’ve spent years doing vehicular force marches where I’ve maximized miles and minimized time. I no longer find driving 700-800+ miles a day enjoyable. If you do, then I would see that EV road trips are probbaly not your cup of tea. For me, the stops add to the enjoyment of the “road trip.”

It comes down to whether it's about the journey or the destination. In my younger days it was all about the destination. Now, maybe not as much. A strong, research based, argument could be made that it is not safe to drive for hours on end stopping only long enough to fill the fuel tank and empty the bladder.
YMMV.

 

[Lilmags500]

In my view, he MMe is an awesome daily commuter but a poor road tripper. I’m just not willing to drive 10-20 minutes out of my way and then spend another 30 minutes charging. To me, that is not a good use of my time.

The MMe (like all my cars) is supposed to add value to my life, not detract from it, so I use it as my daily 110 mile commuter vehicle, and keep it in the garage for road trips.

I have a 120 mile round trip to work ......

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