Why different electric miles after each charge?

[dukecola]

Curious, why on one day after full charge, dash says "42 miles", the next day after full charge, "45 miles, then another day, "40 miles"? After a full charge, shouldn't it read out the same EV miles avail every time?

[VoltageDrop]

Curious, why on one day after full charge, dash says "42 miles", the next day after full charge, "45 miles, then another day, "40 miles"? After a full charge, shouldn't it read out the same EV miles avail every time?

Factors such as temperature....the way and where (hills etc) you drove the car the day before......etc.....

[Steverino]

The reading is an ESTIMATE of battery range based on previous driving, an other factors as VoltageDrop points out. Your actual miles can easily be different, though the estimates are typically very close to the actual unless you start driving very differently.

[Kup]

There are plenty of threads here that discuss what variables go into predicting your estimated range after charging but the obvious big ones are the outside temperature, your driving style, your use of A/C or heating, and terrain. Since the algorithm appears to update pretty continuously while driving it is not too surprising that the estimated range can vary due to these variables.

Anyway, it sounds like you might have bought the Volt before fully understanding the uniqueness of going electric. That is obvioulsy perfectly fine as there is actually an immense wealth of information to learn from this website and it is near impossible to learn it all before you buy. But the one big thing I would point out is that you will see a very large decrease in EV range once the weather changes from the fall into the winter. Cold temperatures really shorten the range and so you will likely be in the 25 to 30 mile range in the January and February timeframe up in NH.

How are you enjoying the Volt so far?

[Silidus]

I think its important to remember that any estimate about the future, is just that, an estimate. This is true for ICE vehicles that give range estimates as well, and EPA ratings. You can assert "I drove X miles and used Y Liters of gas", but you can never say "I WILL drive X miles and use Y Liters of gas" with absolute certainty. You can guess because you have done it before, but you can never be absolutely sure, since you may get stuck in traffic today, or you may see some hot girl in a Cammaro at a light and try to impress her with your lead foot. You can never be sure, and neither can the Volt. So when you start each day, it gives you its best guess based on what you did yesterday, and the day before (... etc), and the temperature, charge level, etc.

[dukecola]

Thanks everyone, I didn't realize that the estimate was based on previous driving style. I figured the estimate was just for a full battery pack and it would then adjust itself on amount/type of current driving, not what I did previously. That's pretty cool, totally unlike my solar system batteries, which have X amount of amphours, and the meter just ticks away after each of them is used, no "predictions". Steverino, we are loving the volt so far. We have a short commute so virtually been on battery power, only 0.1 gallon of gas used. Charging has almost been entirely of our solar system. When winter comes, I envision using the Jeep more as I really don't like shoveling the driveway. :-) Still, even if range is reduced to 25mi in the cold, I'll still be able to commute M-F on that charge alone!

There are plenty of threads here that discuss what variables go into predicting your estimated range after charging but the obvious big ones are the outside temperature, your driving style, your use of A/C or heating, and terrain. Since the algorithm appears to update pretty continuously while driving it is not too surprising that the estimated range can vary due to these variables.

Anyway, it sounds like you might have bought the Volt before fully understanding the uniqueness of going electric. That is obvioulsy perfectly fine as there is actually an immense wealth of information to learn from this website and it is near impossible to learn it all before you buy. But the one big thing I would point out is that you will see a very large decrease in EV range once the weather changes from the fall into the winter. Cold temperatures really shorten the range and so you will likely be in the 25 to 30 mile range in the January and February timeframe up in NH.

How are you enjoying the Volt so far?

[DCFusor]

Unless you have pretty bad winters, I think your Volt will surprise you how well it does in snow. I've posted a vid here somewhere about my little test with the last snow this year. It went up a 35 degree angle slope in my driveway without a hitch in 3" snow, then up the major hill to the main road, which incorporates a sharp turn (eg you can't "get a run on it" in either case) - just fine. I'd only take my truck if it was truly bad and very deep, or the truck just needs some hours on it to keep its battery charged and engine oiled. After all, the Volt's worth more, so if there's significant risk of someone else messing up and hitting me - I'd prefer to trash the truck, not the Volt.

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

@ dukecola,

The EV Range displayed in the vehicle is a prediction based on the recent driving conditions. It is normal for the displayed value to adjust while the vehicle is driven as this estimate is constantly being re-calculated. Adjustments are based on recent driving history for the vehicle. The displayed EV Range can vary from season to season, week to week, day to day and even drive to drive.