[ando]

Return roadtrip KC >>> Chicago in the rain and wind = the rumbling stage!

Just wrapped up my second long distance EV trip about 550 miles. The wind and rain reduced the range of my i5 by 25% adding an extra long stop at a 50 kW charger due to a non functioning set of EA chargers.

Lucky I activated Shell Recharge on my BMW app otherwise I couldn’t get a set of chargers to operate.

In terms of time and stops, in an ICE vehicle I do this trip in eight hours and two stops.

On my to KC trip, in good weather conditions about 40 degrees, I did the trip in ten hours including 90 minutes of charging, 14 minutes of charger wait time and three stops. Charging strategy 20% to 80% all locations at or by a convenience store. +2 hours for BEV

On my back to Chicago trip, in rainy and windy conditions at 50 degrees, I did the trip in eleven hours including, 146 minutes of charging and four stops. Plus two extra bathroom breaks because two of the charging locations were in restaurant and retail parking lots. Charging strategy 20% to 80% and then to 100% at the end to avoid a fifth stop where I could only get a maximum range of 214 miles. +3 hours for BEV

Best practices for road trips, (1) activate Shell Recharge, (2) leverage PlugShare for real user charge notes and (3) drive on warm and sunny days!

[SkykingUSA]

Great info to have. Thanks for sharing in such detail. Why does the range reduce so drastically because of wind and rain?

[RichardInCA]

Really excellent write up and feedback ando, this is exactly what I was hoping to learn from this forum.

Did you keep a relatively steady speed on the highways? I assume the route was pretty flat.

[ando]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

Great info to have. Thanks for sharing in such detail. Why does the range reduce so drastically because of wind and rain?

I’m new to this but my guess is rolling resistance for the rain and wind made the vehicle use more energy.

[ando]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

Really excellent write up and feedback ando, this is exactly what I was hoping to learn from this forum.

Did you keep a relatively steady speed on the highways? I assume the route was pretty flat.

Thanks! I’ve learned so much here I’m trying to share my experiences too.

Yes maximum 5 mph over the limit and very flat.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by ando

I’m new to this but my guess is rolling resistance for the rain and wind made the vehicle use more energy.

I figured it might be something like that, but I'm surprised at the degree of reduction. I didn't think it would affect it anywhere near 25%. Thanks.

[RichardInCA]

Originally Posted by ando

Thanks! I’ve learned so much here I’m trying to share my experiences too.

Yes maximum 5 mph over the limit and very flat.

Great info. I’m tracking a lot of data in my first month of use to work out what to pay attention to over the long haul. I’ll often throw the car in Efficient mode on my return commute from work as the traffic is busier and I’m curious if I can gain any efficiency advantages, but despite making me think more about how I drive, I’m not really sure it’s saving me much over Personal mode. Weather, and temperature may be far bigger variables, based upon what you’re sharing.

[Trevor G]

Rain and wind will require the use of more energy to over come the friction added by both. The tire needs to push the water away from the treads to maintain contact with the road and the wind is just being the wind. As for the charging rate slowing down drastically as you get closer to 100% battery charge level, Think of a parking lot, An empty parking lot has a lot of open spaces to park but a full parking lot you need to drive around to find a spot. This is the same as charging a car or any battery. As the battery fills up the electrons need to find a spot to park.

[Trevor G]

Here is a good explanation of batery charging.
https://www.gridserve.com/2023/02/17...harging-curve/

[ando]

Here’s my December Review

[RichardInCA]

Nice - not sure how 0 miles/kWh is most efficient, but who knows….