How far does an EV really go? On a cold horrible day in winter - several current EVs tested

Kinda missing the point worrying about head winds and range at 130kph.

"....44% more wind related drag at 120 vs 100 and 70% at 130kph..."

It's like trying to save paint by throwing it at wall instead of using a brush and doing it slowly.

I avoid charging at public chargers as much as i possibly can. Its not even the price of it that bothers me. Its the time spent queuing to get on the charger, and sometimes I have to drive a long way off my route and back on to it again to get a charge.

Went to a hotel last week for example. There were two cars on the only two chargers all day and all night. I had to get up early next morning and drive 15km in the opposite direction to then end up waiting 45 mins and then to get a 15 min charge.

Public charging has a long way to go.

I disagree but maybe it not clear - I’m saying that a range test at 130kmph would give a fair indication of average actual range actually driving at 120kmph into a 10km wind that is v typical in Ireland (especially driving from say Dublin or Belfast to south west locations .

It about setting expectations for mass market buyers.

(Obviously I’d never admit to driving at 130kmph myself!)

But then shouldn't the test be done on wet roads because that's very common in Ireland too?

And what about the temp, presumably below 10C because that's also common during the winter months?

And with 3/4 adult passengers or a heavy load?

A lot of people order with tow bars, does that need to be included?

I get what you're suggesting, but I think it's a slippery slope of where to stop including adverse conditions.

Is driving at 120 into a small wind the same as driving at 130 though? Does it create the same drag? Does the car need the same effort

I don't know the answer

Most EV drivers rarely use public chargers.

Those that do public the same route frequently often with experience will have worked out the best locations and time to hit them. No different to avoiding traffic on bank holiday.

Most EV groups I read, on FB and other usually have stories about charging stations to avoid and preferred routes. Certainly never seen a group where no one had a problem ever.

I’ve read that it impacts on fuel consumption in an EV in the same manner - ie 10kmph headwind will increase consumption by approx the same as driving 10kmph faster but certainly I’m not sure and haven’t seen the maths on it

Yes ive had people say to me they never had any issues ever looking for a charge while they are after me in a queue for a charger with a couple of cars before us. They are incapable of taking an objective view of the situation.

Objectively anyone rocking up to hotel in an ICE needing to fill up will have to travel away from the hotel to fill up.

Can anyone say they've never had to queue for fuel while the drivers in front disappear into a shop. My local garages at peak time like sat they will have a queue for fuel and car wash. I will travel to a garage out of my way to avoid those queues and better petrol.

Yes an EV is not the same. But there are some similarities.

Scraping the bottom of the oil barrel is why EVs exist.

AFAIK EVs are only around 5% of Total Vehicles. I think the infrastructure (today) is pretty good relative to that.

That said personally I wouldn't buy an EV to use it mainly on public chargers. For a variety of reasons.

Too long to wait for something which may never realise its marketed potential.

Toyota have been investing in solid state batteries since 2006 and still have nothing to show for it except disingenuous marketing statements.

People who can afford to, should buy a Li-ion BEV now and in 5 years time solid state BEVs might be an option, although unlikely to be commercially competitive for another 10 years.

Don't really disagree with anything you've said. If I drove at 120km/hr. On the motorway I think I would probably have made it home with very little battery left - in reality if this was the case I would have stopped off at Carrick on Shannon for a slash and dash. I think in the next 18-months or 2 years genuine 500kms range EVs will be more common. The other thing that will hopefully happen is that there will be a lot more charging hubs dotted around the country so that if you're not in a hurry you can easily stop and charge and get a coffee. On my motorway driving I drive at an Average speed of 103km/hr and when I need to pass a lorry I do it quickly which as you know you can do easily when you have 204bhp on tap. If I do see someone coming up fast behind me I do them the courtesy of letting them go 1st before I pull out.

Depends on your motorway usage really. I regularly do Dublin to Antrim, Limerick and Cork.

I have fast chargers available on all routes on the return journey. I'd only put enough in to get me home as it's expensive. So I'd only be doing a 30 to 50% charge something like that. So it's only a few mins.

I've destination charging in Antrim now too so don't even have to stop if I don't want.

It's not as hard charging as some people think once you get in a routine.

I do each trip once a month.