2014 Volt - REduced EV range

4860 Views 17 Replies 10 Participants Last post by villib, Nov 10, 2016

villib

Discussion Starter · Nov 6, 2016

Hi all
I'm new here and this is my first post.
I bought a used 2014 Volt in June and imported it to Iceland, Europe. When I got it the EV range was around 40 miles. In the beginning of October the range started to gradually degrade and is now 26 miles. Has anyone experienced something like this? Can I somehow check the battery cell status myself? Since it's imported from the US I'm not sure the local dealer is willing to help. The car is kept inside overnight so it's not because of the colder weather.

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hellsop

· #13 · Nov 8, 2016

wordptom said:
Once you start driving, the range estimate is soon influenced by the driving conditions you are experiencing. The computer’s algorithm creates an "on the fly" estimate of the battery soc to determine the remaining amount of power, adjusts the full charge mileage estimate to reflect current conditions (speed, terrain, weather conditions, etc.), and then calculates the estimated remaining range. When the range goes up while driving downhill, for example, many people think downhill regen is "adding miles to the range," but it’s really not... most of that increase is because the car thinks you’re going to keep driving downhill, and downhill mileage is better than level terrain mileage, so the distance that can be driven using the available power increases. Once you hit level terrain again, the estimated range will quickly decrease as it adjusts itself back to level terrain mileage.

It does, though, seem to use a substantial window for the milage estimate. You won't get a lot of influence from a two-mile downslope because that'll probably be counteracted someplace in the next 50 mile or so with a corresponding upslope to balance it out.

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hellsop

· #15 · Nov 9, 2016

villib said:
Thanks all for very good replies. After I learned the range is an estimate based on previous use it all clears up. It's colder now. My wife uses the heater a lot and the car is kept outside during the day. In addition I have studded tires and only 38 PSI (read that some people go up to 50 PSI)

38PSI is entirely reasonable for winter tires. High PSIs are risky unless you've got a LOT of grip to spare.

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hellsop

· #17 · Nov 10, 2016

llninja said:
I thought Iceland was supposed to be warm and green whereas Greenland was really cold and icy (a huge practical joke to the world - not too different from the recent US election).

It is, relatively. Smallish place, surrounded by a warm-water current. It's just at about the same latitude as Denali, which is about half way to the North Pole from what you and I consider normal.

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