[Roo]

Had the e-Niro since beginning of July. My20 4. When we first got it the battery charged 100% would show 282 miles range. I had to charge it to 100% for a long journey this week and on full charge the battery showed a range of 252 miles. Why? Have we trashed the battery? The car has 5,000 on the clock. Any explanations gratefully received.

 

[DBMandrake]

The full charge range reported by most EV's (apart from Tesla's I think) is based on recent driving habits and conditions. So if you have driven faster or the weather is colder than before the estimated range will be reduced in accordance with the increased consumption of driving faster or in cold conditions.

This is normal for EV's and is not a sign of battery degradation. All EV's will have significantly less range in winter than summer although the percentage drop that you'll see varies a lot from one model to another.

If you normally drive with a warm toasty cabin you can claw back some of that lost range by dropping the temperature a few degrees and using the seat heaters and jackets instead, but if the range is still plenty for the journey just enjoy a warm cabin.

 

[Spiny]

The range is displayed by the Guess-O-Meter, well named, its based on previous driving habits, use of heating as well as temperature.
Batteries do not hold as much charge when cold and all EV's show reduced range in chilly times. Add to that any use of the battery for heating which reduces the range and you have a predicted drop.
282 to 250 is pretty good, My Ampera varies from less than 25miles in mid-winter to 50 in mid summer

 

[Padrino]

I don't know about Kia but in Renault Zoe, you can reset the meter, so effectively you wipe out the previous stored estimates and start from fresh. However, everything the guys above have written is still 100% valid. Weather, AC use etc affecting the "totals".

 

[DBMandrake]

I don't know about Kia but in Renault Zoe, you can reset the meter, so effectively you wipe out the previous stored estimates and start from fresh. However, everything the guys above have written is still 100% valid. Weather, AC use etc affecting the "totals".

No point resetting the estimate (I don't think you can on the Kia anyway) as the drop is most likely from the colder weather and thus is valid. From what I've read the range estimate on the Kia's is pretty accurate anyway and not as much of a guess as it is on some EV's.

 

[davesul]

Had the e-Niro since beginning of July. My20 4. When we first got it the battery charged 100% would show 282 miles range. I had to charge it to 100% for a long journey this week and on full charge the battery showed a range of 252 miles. Why? Have we trashed the battery? The car has 5,000 on the clock. Any explanations gratefully received.

Our 64 kWh Kona also shows this change - eg gentle driving in Summer shows 320 or more miles, similar driving in Autumn shows about 290 miles. I'm expecting in our winter the range will drop further. Next Summer it'll rise again...

All EVs show a similar characteristic.

 

[Hairy Leafer]

mpg in petrols and diesels drop slightly too as it takes longer for engines and lubricants to get upto temp (although its nowhere near as noticable)

 

[Jimlad]

Every time you turn the car on it calculates the estimated range based on your previous sessions driving and the current temperature.

 

[DragonQ]

It's colder.

 

[GOSPORT DAVE]

The NIRO has a battery capacity of 64Kwh, if the vehicle achieves 4.5 miles per KWh, then that is a range of 288 miles. If the vehicle achieves 3.5 miles per KWh then that is a range of 224 miles, the effect of losing 1 mile per KWh is that dramatic.

To loose that 1 mile per KWh in winter is very easy, the air is colder and denser and requires more energy to push through compared with summer. Also roads remain wetter for longer causing extra drag, heater on and gets less efficient as temperatures hit zero, head winds etc.

Hope this demonstrates that it is normal to get less range in winter, ho how we long for the return of those long hazy summer days, dream on.

 

[Ian McVey]

Its winter expect that drop

 

[prawlin]

Every time you turn the car on it calculates the estimated range based on your previous sessions driving and the current temperature.

And if I remember correctly, if you watch the GOM whilst pressing the hvac off button, you see an immediate increase to the predicted range without even driving anywhere.

Peter