Factors affecting electric motor range
The certified value for the distance that can be driven using the electric motor should not be considered an expected driving range. The actual range is dependent on a number of factors.
Factors affecting driving range
The driver can influence some factors affecting driving range, but not all.
The longest range is achieved under very favorable conditions when all factors positively influence range.
Factors the driver cannot control
There are several outside conditions that affect range to varying degrees:
- the current traffic situation
- driving short distances
- topography
- ambient temperature and headwinds
- road conditions and road surface.
The following table shows the approximate relationship between ambient temperature and driving range with normal climate settings and with climate settings turned off.
Up to a certain limit, warmer ambient temperatures increase the electric motor's driving range.
| Ambient temperature | Climate settings turned off | Normal climate settings |
|---|---|---|
| 30 °C (86 °F) | 95 % | 80 % |
| 20 °C (68 °F) | 100 % | 90% |
| 10 °C (50 °F) | 90 % | 80 % |
| 0 °C (32 °F) | 80 % | 60 % |
| -10 °C (14 °F) | 70 % | 40 % |
Factors the driver can control
The driver should be aware that the following factors help conserve energy and improve driving range:
- charging the battery regularly
- preconditioning
- Pure drive mode
- climate control settings
- speed and acceleration
- the Hold function
- tires and tire pressure.
The following table shows the approximate relationship between constant speed and driving range. Driving at a lower constant speed helps increase the electric motor's driving range.
| Constant speed | |
|---|---|
| 100 km/h (62 mph) | 50 % |
| 80 km/h (50 mph) | 70 % |
| 60 km/h (37 mph) | 90 % |
| 50 km/h (31 mph) | 100 % |
Note
- The figures shown in the tables pertain to a new vehicle.
- None of the figures are absolute and are affected by e.g. driving style, environment and other conditions.