I have a 2013 volt, about 3 months ago i would charge overnight and it would charge to 41 miles and say fully charged. About a month ago it started to only charge to 38 miles, the 35, now it only charges to 32 miles. Any idea what is going on?
battery charging issues
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The range estimator is affectionately referred to around here as the guess-o-meter, and that's for a good reason. The computer is monitoring the seasonal decrease in ambient air temperature and factoring in the anticipated increase in electricity used to heat the cabin; this increased heater use will decrease the range. My 2013's range has dropped from a high of 44 during the summer to 37 right now and I'll expect to see it dip to 32 or so as the winter chill sets in. You'll see this trend reverse itself when Spring has sprung.
Perhaps you’ve noted that a full charge continues to give you the 10 green bars of power it always did, i.e., the amount of fuel you have in that fully charged battery hasn’t changed, even if your electric mileage has.
Bad weather requires more power to move the same distance (takes more power to move through falling rain and cold, dense air and to splash through puddles on wet pavement, etc.), and such driving conditions often are coupled with increasing use of heat and window defrosting. Most Volt drivers experience annual full charge estimated range cycles, increasing during warmer seasons, decreasing in the colder seasons.
Bad weather requires more power to move the same distance (takes more power to move through falling rain and cold, dense air and to splash through puddles on wet pavement, etc.), and such driving conditions often are coupled with increasing use of heat and window defrosting. Most Volt drivers experience annual full charge estimated range cycles, increasing during warmer seasons, decreasing in the colder seasons.
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Be ready for the mid 20s in range. I've seen that in IL, and MN is likely to be colder. It just makes Spring feel so much nicer after a miserable winter. Snowageddon 1 and 2 were killer on range. We averted snowageddon 3 ;sat year, not sure if we'll be so lucky this year. But I'm hoping my snow tires with less than 300 miles on them will be a great snow deterrent.
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It's called WINTER. Cold temps greatly reduce the number of miles you can drive on a charge. There is nothing wrong with your Volt or battery.
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Fellow Minnesotan here. My guess-o-meter's morning number has decreased 10% so far. Keep your tire pressure up, and understand that you need to choose between miles and heat for the next 4-5 months.
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I'm too old for that to be a choice anymore <grin>
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Ditto. Auto+comfort+74F for me. Always.
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Looks like this was posted in the wrong forum.
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Hi Todd451,
Like others have mentioned, a lot of factors can affect EV charge range. With the temperatures dropping in the upcoming months, you are likely to see some changes in the full charge capacity of your battery. However, if you’re worried about the battery itself, you can always take your Volt into your dealership and have them take a look at everything.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to send me a private message.
Amber G.
Chevrolet Customer Care
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The same could be said about an ICE engine, here up in Canada, when I use to own my Nissan Pathfinder, I'd fill up with 72 litres of gas and got a MAX of 575 km in the summer and only 375 in the winter, I'm sure it was due to the fact that most of my driving was in the city and never got the engine warmed up for my short trips I did around town. Of course my Subaru now does better gas mileage, but still has a reduction during winter, but either way an electric will blow away the savings you get from an ICE engine. I can't wait to have the money to buy a BOLT!
Thanks for joining in this conversation, Amber, but if I might, I’d like to question your word choice. By writing that seasonal drops in temperature can change the "full charge capacity of your battery," you seem to be suggesting the 10 green bars on the display indicating a full battery charge actually represent more available power in the summer than in the winter.
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I agree. The capacity of the battery does not shrink or enlarge with the seasons. Instead, changes in driving style, tire pressure, air density (cold), A/C use, fan speed, etc, will affect how far the given amount of battery power will take you.
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But the difference is that most ICE vehicles don't put a number on your dash where you can notice the drop. My Deville would drop from 22 MPG in the summer to about 20MPG and I always chalked it up to winter mix fuel. But battery range is front and center, foremost on our minds. Suffice it to say to the OP, your car is doing what it is supposed to, there's nothing wrong with the battery, no need to panic.
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