So the efficiency decreased 14% ( (2.1 - 1.8) / 2.1 ) but we can't say conclusively if this is because the battery was cold soaked or the fact that the outside temp decreased from 10 to -5*F (it was a combination of both).
Very true. The preconditioning really only made a big difference first 20 miles or so, after that it had warmed up (and difference was likely due to temp at that point as you mention). Short trips in winter really kill range as it cycles temp a lot. What I will try if I do this again is capture energy used to preheat cabin to see what overall efficiency would look like. It would also be nice to see a full battery discharge as that would give idea of range difference.
Good information, even for non-GM EVs. One note, even the best HEVs are going to do much worse in temperatures that cold. ICE car does have an advantage in cold weather in that the waste heat from the engine can be used to heat the cabin without requiring additional fuel burn. This will not make up for the base inefficiency of the ICE. I have a Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally, and I have noticed in a ~10F cold-soaked condition that I will have reduced power due to battery temperature for about 20-25 miles. Running at interstate speed seems to heat the battery a touch faster than street-level speeds. We are expecting sub-zero temps here (SE MI) this week, so I will get a chance to see how that impacts my car as this is the first time I have driven it in temps this cold.
Thanks! Yeah we had a Clarity PHEV, looking at highway MPG once electric was depleted: in warm weather it would get 45 mpg at 75 mph, but as soon as weather was cold it would drop to 32 MPG or so. I don't think it was generating enough waste heat to keep the engine and cabin warm otherwise.
I have a 2021 Crosstrek PHEV and just drove from Detroit to NC yesterday. Temps didn’t go above single digits until Charleston WV. On the highway in HEV mode, i normally average 31-35 mpg but was averaging 19-21 mpg in the single digit weather.
Fun video. EV stats were engaging. I’m going on a cold weather trip tonight. Expecting similar loss. One data point that was interesting was you have a good bead on the tire pressure loss. I always heard there was differences in cold weather, but you were the first time I hear the numbers around it. Thx. Enjoyed the video.
Definitely fairs better than our ol Volt out in MN. We usually saw a 35% hit down from EPA in those temperatures with frequent preconditioning. Ran primarily in EV mode bypassing the engine. Rather impressed how well the Blazer did considering the larger cabin, wheels and exterior dimensions. Probably greater than a 35% drop as you used real world efficiency figures with ideal temperatures. We usually beat EPA with those ideal temperatures (climate off). I'd imagine our real world drop was over 40%.
I remember in my Gen1 volt with engine starting due to temperature disabled, I only got 11 miles range once when it was like -10⁰F. I am pretty sure heat pump is helping, even in these conditions. I will try a 30⁰F test too (in high heat pump efficiency range).
I had a reduced power warning on my car when I got out to it yesterday morning and it wasnt below zero, it was single digits. Took about 10 minutes for the car to warm up and message to go away.
Hybrids are hit hard by cold also. Their batteries suffer from the same cold weather a BEV does. Gasoline cars also suffer. I used to see similar dips in efficiency back in the day when I drove ICE cars. The numbers just don't look as bad because of how inefficient they are.
Exactly, and that waste heat is actually useful in the winter, and they still aren't as efficient as electric (gas has range advantage, but I get by with electric, even in winter)
@cyberzev I'm about to have a taste of sub zero in my Blazer EV. Forecast is for -13 at about the time I leave for work. Mine is outside, but is plugged in for keeping the traction motor battery warm.
I haven't driven in that cold of weather, hopefully won't ever have to. But at 35 F outside, I have experienced a much bigger drop in efficiency than expected leading me to wonder if they really have a heat pump versus resistive heating. What are your thoughts? Thanks for sharing!
What model do you have? RWD or AWD? Yeah, at my temps heat pump doesn't add much, but at 35 should have pretty good efficiency still. However, short trips might still not be great as it takes energy to heat cabin to temp. Try preheating?
@@cyberzev We have AWD. Preheating doesn't help much since we generally travel 20 miles or more per trip, and we are retired and only need to be plugged in once per week. I guess we could keep the car plugged in more often. But also when we try to remotely start the car to preheat the cabin, it only works 1 out of 3 times which is not good.
@@ValConB you can set the target temp in the app. I think it's better to set it high and turn it down. The Blazer doesn't get very warm quickly unless the temp is set to high.
If you watch the use … running the heater inside the vehicle uses a lot of energy but if you look at the KWh/ Mile only … I never get worse than 2.1 in temps with a wind chill of -19 on the expressway
This is an excellent analysis and comparison of the efficiency in different temps and with/without preconditioning. Thank you!
I am glad it was useful for you, thank you!
So the efficiency decreased 14% ( (2.1 - 1.8) / 2.1 ) but we can't say conclusively if this is because the battery was cold soaked or the fact that the outside temp decreased from 10 to -5*F (it was a combination of both).
Very true. The preconditioning really only made a big difference first 20 miles or so, after that it had warmed up (and difference was likely due to temp at that point as you mention). Short trips in winter really kill range as it cycles temp a lot.
What I will try if I do this again is capture energy used to preheat cabin to see what overall efficiency would look like. It would also be nice to see a full battery discharge as that would give idea of range difference.
Good information, even for non-GM EVs.
One note, even the best HEVs are going to do much worse in temperatures that cold. ICE car does have an advantage in cold weather in that the waste heat from the engine can be used to heat the cabin without requiring additional fuel burn. This will not make up for the base inefficiency of the ICE.
I have a Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally, and I have noticed in a ~10F cold-soaked condition that I will have reduced power due to battery temperature for about 20-25 miles. Running at interstate speed seems to heat the battery a touch faster than street-level speeds. We are expecting sub-zero temps here (SE MI) this week, so I will get a chance to see how that impacts my car as this is the first time I have driven it in temps this cold.
Thanks! Yeah we had a Clarity PHEV, looking at highway MPG once electric was depleted: in warm weather it would get 45 mpg at 75 mph, but as soon as weather was cold it would drop to 32 MPG or so. I don't think it was generating enough waste heat to keep the engine and cabin warm otherwise.
I have a 2021 Crosstrek PHEV and just drove from Detroit to NC yesterday. Temps didn’t go above single digits until Charleston WV. On the highway in HEV mode, i normally average 31-35 mpg but was averaging 19-21 mpg in the single digit weather.
Preheat the battery before departure while the vehicle is plugged in.
Fun video. EV stats were engaging. I’m going on a cold weather trip tonight. Expecting similar loss. One data point that was interesting was you have a good bead on the tire pressure loss. I always heard there was differences in cold weather, but you were the first time I hear the numbers around it. Thx. Enjoyed the video.
Thanks! I am glad you enjoyed it.
Definitely fairs better than our ol Volt out in MN. We usually saw a 35% hit down from EPA in those temperatures with frequent preconditioning. Ran primarily in EV mode bypassing the engine. Rather impressed how well the Blazer did considering the larger cabin, wheels and exterior dimensions.
Probably greater than a 35% drop as you used real world efficiency figures with ideal temperatures. We usually beat EPA with those ideal temperatures (climate off). I'd imagine our real world drop was over 40%.
I remember in my Gen1 volt with engine starting due to temperature disabled, I only got 11 miles range once when it was like -10⁰F. I am pretty sure heat pump is helping, even in these conditions. I will try a 30⁰F test too (in high heat pump efficiency range).
without even watching its probably 30%.
You must drive EVs :)
I had a reduced power warning on my car when I got out to it yesterday morning and it wasnt below zero, it was single digits. Took about 10 minutes for the car to warm up and message to go away.
Hybrids are hit hard by cold also. Their batteries suffer from the same cold weather a BEV does. Gasoline cars also suffer. I used to see similar dips in efficiency back in the day when I drove ICE cars. The numbers just don't look as bad because of how inefficient they are.
Exactly, and that waste heat is actually useful in the winter, and they still aren't as efficient as electric (gas has range advantage, but I get by with electric, even in winter)
@cyberzev I'm about to have a taste of sub zero in my Blazer EV. Forecast is for -13 at about the time I leave for work. Mine is outside, but is plugged in for keeping the traction motor battery warm.
Is this awd or front?
AWD
I haven't driven in that cold of weather, hopefully won't ever have to. But at 35 F outside, I have experienced a much bigger drop in efficiency than expected leading me to wonder if they really have a heat pump versus resistive heating. What are your thoughts? Thanks for sharing!
What model do you have? RWD or AWD? Yeah, at my temps heat pump doesn't add much, but at 35 should have pretty good efficiency still. However, short trips might still not be great as it takes energy to heat cabin to temp. Try preheating?
@@cyberzev We have AWD. Preheating doesn't help much since we generally travel 20 miles or more per trip, and we are retired and only need to be plugged in once per week. I guess we could keep the car plugged in more often. But also when we try to remotely start the car to preheat the cabin, it only works 1 out of 3 times which is not good.
@@ValConB you can set the target temp in the app. I think it's better to set it high and turn it down. The Blazer doesn't get very warm quickly unless the temp is set to high.
Damn, your car looks so nice.
I have the same car. It’s disappointing in the cold. I pre condition before my drive to work.
its called physics. what is disappointing?
@ that I only get barely over 100 miles between 80 and 20-30 percent.
If you watch the use … running the heater inside the vehicle uses a lot of energy but if you look at the KWh/ Mile only … I never get worse than 2.1 in temps with a wind chill of -19 on the expressway