Who has or is planning to get an electric car / EV Talk

[JT2002TJ]

Is it capacity or wattage or both? I’ve charged to 100 before long drives, but by the time I’m out of my little town I’m usually at like 98 percent so it’s not a real worry. Then onto the freeway and within a 1/2 hour I’m way way down. I thought the issue was bringing a two ton vehicle down to a stop quickly Would overwhelm the charging system in the car. But I could be wrong.

To add to @quagmire response, it is also a factor of if your battery is at a warm enough temperature to take max regen. If you drive off without preconditioning, the vehicle may reduce regen to protect the battery, especially in the winter.

In the winter NYC metroplex winters, if I leave work before my scheduled preconditioning by GPS location (and forget to manually remotely trigger preconditioning), I will get reduced regen for the first few miles until the battery warms up. This will be starting out at around 60% battery (leaving in the morning at 80%, driving 26 miles and running sentry mode all day).

With the feature turned on, it is seamless to the driver, the only way you would know is if you look at the power consumption bar on the infotainment system. You will see either no green, or a portion that is green followed by grey on the negative side.

If it didn't "Blend Regen" when this happens you would have a different experience than when under full regen. This is not the best user experience, and to me can be dangerous as it changes One Pedal Driving. This isn't a Tesla thing, this is an EV thing as many manufacturers deploy this, some may do it without the driver even knowing it exists.

 

[mvdrl]

It leaves a buffer. That’s why they have no issue charging to 100% all the time which is what I do.

Off topic question: isn't it harmful to your battery to always charge to 100%? I get a warning on my Tesla Model S if I charge a few days in a row to 100% without going on a long trip...

 

[hobowankenobi]

Off topic question: isn't it harmful to your battery to always charge to 100%? I get a warning on my Tesla Model S if I charge a few days in a row to 100% without going on a long trip...

Depends on chemistry. LFP batteries like to be charged to 100% daily, nearly all others don't.

There is still debate and some conflicting info on how much degradation occurs when non-LFP batteries are charged to or near 100% daily or even often.

The safe thing to do...for long-term battery health is not to charge to a very high percentage (again, with non-LFP cells). AFAIK, only base model 3 and Y model Teslas have LFP cells, and only for the last couple years.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Off topic question: isn't it harmful to your battery to always charge to 100%? I get a warning on my Tesla Model S if I charge a few days in a row to 100% without going on a long trip...

Depends on the car. On the i3 not at all. Because the 100% it charges to is not really 100%. That’s why there is no way in the OS to limit it to 80 or 90%. Also there is very little drop in charging speed less than 95%.

On other cars it can be an issue.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Depends on chemistry. LFP batteries like to be charged to 100% daily, nearly all others don't.

There is still debate and some conflicting info on how much degradation occurs when non-LFP batteries are charged to or near 100% daily or even often.

The safe thing to do...for long-term battery health is not to charge to a very high percentage (again, with non-LFP cells). AFAIK, only base model 3 and Y model Teslas have LFP cells, and only for the last couple years.

Just for everyone, for different parts of the world. I don't think we got any LFP batteries in the TMY RWD in the US.

 

[profcutter]

Off topic question: isn't it harmful to your battery to always charge to 100%? I get a warning on my Tesla Model S if I charge a few days in a row to 100% without going on a long trip...

We're leasing ours, so I tend to charge to 80 percent, given that in 3 years it probably won't be ours anymore. Still protecting the battery, but not the best possible setting. If it was my car that I owned, I'd probably charge to 70 percent, but the problem is I have a 3 hour commute, so if it was my car, and not my wife's, I'd have to charge it to 100 percent every time I did the commute (and still need to stop for fast charging if I go both ways in a day). Hence, I keep the manual gas GTI, and she has the electric. The more serious problem is letting the charge get too low. I try to never let it get below 20 percent as a hard limit, I generally start plugging in at home when we hit the 30's.

 

[jz0309]

Off topic question: isn't it harmful to your battery to always charge to 100%? I get a warning on my Tesla Model S if I charge a few days in a row to 100% without going on a long trip...

yes, not recommended, I have mine set to ~75% but do charge to 100% for longer trips of 200+ miles

The more serious problem is letting the charge get too low. I try to never let it get below 20 percent as a hard limit, I generally start plugging in at home when we hit the 30's.

there are some out there who say that on a monthly or so basis you should charge to 100%, and, also run it down to ~10% to ensure that all cells in the battery pack are being used.
I've done a few roundtrips in my Bolt EUV of ~ 230/240 miles roundtrip and my range when I got home showed ~ 20 miles. I think exercising the battery is a good thing, a few times per year if you can ...

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Sometimes regen can be limited, at least with Rivian, Tesla and others (I think). So when you expect Regen, but the OS limits it (reduces it or removes it) you reduced the accelerator pedal and find yourself unexpectedly coasting. With “Blended Regen” the vehicle would apply friction brakes to mimic regen.

This is a setting on Teslas called “apply brakes when regen is limited.” I don’t know what other manufacturers call it. Which is why I’m saying we need an easy manufacturer neutral name for it.

It is blended braking Regardless of whether it is by pressing the brake pedal and it utilises regen first then friction, or when say the batteries are full and OPD utilises the friction brakes. The user doesn't have to make such choices as the car blends it automatically. Regardless from which angle it is approached.

We live on top of a hill, when I embark on a pan-european journey I'll charge at home to 100%. I still utilise OPD when going down the hill, the car blends the brakes pending the situation. It doesn't just run away that I have switch to start using the brake pedal.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

I think Tesla, Lucid and Rivian are the only EV makers that actually let you use the top of a pack. Everyone else has a bottom and a top buffer (which is why they use such big packs to begin with).

It is not exact figure ofcourse with a battery but Polestar the percentage is also the percentage.

I find it really confusing how some brands redefine what 100% means

 

[JT2002TJ]

It is blended braking Regardless of whether it is by pressing the brake pedal and it utilises regen first then friction, or when say the batteries are full and OPD utilises the friction brakes. The user doesn't have to make such choices as the car blends it automatically.

We live on top of a hill, when I embark on a pan-european journey I'll charge at home to 100%. I still utilise OPD when going down the hill, the car blends the brakes pending the situation. It doesn't just run away that I have switch to start using the brake pedal.

I agree, and that was my original point, it is in fact blending brakes with regen. But... People seem to take issue with using the term "blended braking" because it was originally defined as using the brake pedal and the OS blends regen and friction brakes. I think the term should adapt as technology changes.

So, that's why I was saying "Blended Regen" for anytime a vehicle adds friction brakes to regen without touching the brake pedal...

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Off topic question: isn't it harmful to your battery to always charge to 100%? I get a warning on my Tesla Model S if I charge a few days in a row to 100% without going on a long trip...

Polestar recommends in the manual, and in the UI, to not go above 90% unless you use it. So on a day-to-day basis we typically use say 25-35% of the capacity — hence we keep the max charge limit to 90%. But if I know we are off to the Netherlands tomorrow, I'll quickly change the charge limit to 100% as I know I'll be having to charge en-route. Then typically run the car down to 10-15% and charge to 80% en route, as that is the most efficient charging curve when on the road for my car. As in, it will be nice and quick!

Comparing charging curves really gives a different perspective on journey and charging times. It can really exhibit very different behaviour, and thus present very different experiences. This is a pretty source for charging curves https://support.fastned.nl/hc/en-gb/sections/4428932764573-Vehicles?page=1#articles

 

[cyb3rdud3]

I agree, and that was my original point, it is in fact blending brakes with regen. But... People seem to take issue with using the term "blended braking" because it was originally defined as using the brake pedal and the OS blends regen and friction brakes. I think the term should adapt as technology changes.

So, that's why I was saying "Blended Regen" for anytime a vehicle adds friction brakes to regen without touching the brake pedal...

I get you all along, however it should work like that regardless of which user interface option the user chooses so you have a consistent experience.

 

[JT2002TJ]

I get you all along, however it should work like that regardless of which user interface option the user chooses so you have a consistent experience.

I agree, it should for all EVs/Hybrids that offer OPD...

I was just talking about the term for it. Tesla calls it "Apply Brakes When Regenerative Braking is Limited." While they use this so the user can understand what the option means, we need a non-manufacturer specific term for it, and 7 words is a lot. So, it should be either "Blended Braking" (people took issue with because it already is defined differently) or "Blended Regen" (a term I made up).

 

[quagmire]

My habits is 60-75% charge depending on where I am going for my job, keep it at 50% when doing around town stuff.

I just did a 100% charge for the first time in 3 years of ownership just to have the car balance the battery pack. Know it isn't scientific, etc but car reports 348 miles at 100% vs 353 when new.

Doing 100-20% runs is mostly a BMS thing than battery health. The battery will give all the juice it has no matter what. The BMS just might know it's there as it lost calibration.

 

[JT2002TJ]

My habits is 60-75% charge depending on where I am going for my job, keep it at 50% when doing around town stuff.

I just did a 100% charge for the first time in 3 years of ownership just to have the car balance the battery pack. Know it isn't scientific, etc but car reports 348 miles at 100% vs 353 when new.

Doing 100-20% runs is mostly a BMS thing than battery health. The battery will give all the juice it has no matter what. The BMS just might know it's there as it lost calibration.

I charge to 80% nightly with both my TMY and TM3. I get home on my TMY at about 40%-50%, my wife gets home with the TM3 at about 60%-70%.

I probably should lower the max charge of the TM3 down to about 60%.

 

[diamond.g]

It is not exact figure ofcourse with a battery but Polestar the percentage is also the percentage.

I find it really confusing how some brands redefine what 100% means

The polestar forum seems to believe that Polestars (at least the 2) reserve the top and bottom of the pack as well. Do you still have regen at 100%?

 

[cyb3rdud3]

The polestar forum seems to believe that Polestars (at least the 2) reserve the top and bottom of the pack as well. Do you still have regen at 100%?

No regen at 100% in our Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Upgrade. The regen'o'meter has as good as all crosshairs on it. But the performance upgrade eats it up nice and quick when you use it Incredible throttle response and agility from the engine.

And yes, there could be a tiny little buffer; hence I stated that it is not an exact figure. I mean with batteries you can park it up warm, have one figure, and overnight with freezing temperatures you can be without charge. As an example. To all intent and purposes, there isn't one, 100% means 100% within a standard deviation of measuring a battery. I'm sure Kyle (from Out of Spec) may have some exact measurements on his channel when he does his tests. If there is, it is so small that people shouldn't account for it.

Also, that thread is from 2021, it would have been something like software version 1.6 around then. Or as many of the early users called it, the public beta We've had ours from 1.8 and updated yesterday to 3.1.9. There have been numerous updates and changes.

 

[diamond.g]

No regen at 100% in our Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Upgrade. The regen'o'meter has as good as all crosshairs on it. But the performance upgrade eats it up nice and quick when you use it Incredible throttle response and agility from the engine.

And yes, there could be a tiny little buffer; hence I stated that it is not an exact figure. I mean with batteries you can park it up warm, have one figure, and overnight with freezing temperatures you can be without charge. As an example. To all intent and purposes, there isn't one, 100% means 100% within a standard deviation of measuring a battery. I'm sure Kyle (from Out of Spec) may have some exact measurements on his channel when he does his tests. If there is, it is so small that people shouldn't account for it.

Also, that thread is from 2021, it would have been something like software version 1.6 around then. Or as many of the early users called it, the public beta We've had ours from 1.8 and updated yesterday to 3.1.9. There have been numerous updates and changes.

No worries. The regen + brake setting that @JT2002TJ talks about on their Tesla was something added at the end of 2022 IIRC

 

[cyb3rdud3]

No worries. The regen + brake setting that @JT2002TJ talks about on their Tesla was something added at the end of 2022 IIRC

It is easy to forget how quickly things can move. We were lucky as we had one of the first stable versions v1.8 with a heat pump as well, then they messed up with v2.3.0 (4 months later) but since then, it's been pretty good.

From MY2024 there were some other changes that are hardware related; single engine became rear wheel drive, and dual engine could disengage front motor when doing steady cruising speeds.

 

[profcutter]

Also, that thread is from 2021, it would have been something like software version 1.6 around then. Or as many of the early users called it, the public beta We've had ours from 1.8 and updated yesterday to 3.1.9. There have been numerous updates and changes.

Lucky. We got a recall letter saying the software was so bad that they were required to update, and the rest of the letter goes on to say, "No remedy available at this time." VW is not doing great on the software front.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Lucky. We got a recall letter saying the software was so bad that they were required to update, and the rest of the letter goes on to say, "No remedy available at this time." VW is not doing great on the software front.

Oh dear Shame when they let themselves down. I was tempted with an ID.7 or even ID.Buzz, but the UI and lack of AWD options in my region put me off. And then there is the charge curves, they really should do better https://support.fastned.nl/hc/en-gb/articles/360013336618-Volkswagen

 

[profcutter]

Oh dear Shame when they let themselves down. I was tempted with an ID.7 or even ID.Buzz, but the UI and lack of AWD options in my region put me off. And then there is the charge curves, they really should do better https://support.fastned.nl/hc/en-gb/articles/360013336618-Volkswagen

Eh, in practical terms, charge speed hasn't been a problem. We have a 7.5 Kw charger at the house, and when I've done long trips, it's generally 25 or so minutes from 20 percent to 80 at Electrify America chargers, where we have 30 minutes free charging. That's good enough for almost all trips around here. The rear wheel drive that we have doesn't bother me, and it gives you a smidge more range. My wife was attached to AWD, but she was convinced because we got a good deal on a RWD 2023 model.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Ok, I think our (near) future household EVs will be that our Polestar 2 will be exchanged for a Polestar 3. But then if they do the BST Concept I'll have to put my name down, love the looks of this fun little thing.

At the Goodwood Festival of speed last week

Together with Porsche's announcement to no longer do ICE cars, it will be the fun era for EV 2 seaters I think.

PS. My daughter would love the Renault 5 as her first car. It is very cool IMO.

 

[profcutter]

Ok, I think our (near) future household EVs will be that our Polestar 2 will be exchanged for a Polestar 3. But then if they do the BST Concept I'll have to put my name down, love the looks of this fun little thing.

At the Goodwood Festival of speed last week
View attachment 2398515

Together with Porsche's announcement to no longer do ICE cars, it will be the fun era for EV 2 seaters I think.

PS. My daughter would love the Renault 5 as her first car. It is very cool IMO.

All I want is a compact GTI EV. Even a Polo GTI, which they don’t have here, would be great in EV form. I need about 350 miles because of the lousy state of infrastructure in this Fakakta place, but I don’t need a hulking SUV either. i can handle the atrocious potholes.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

All I want is a compact GTI EV. Even a Polo GTI, which they don’t have here, would be great in EV form. I need about 350 miles because of the lousy state of infrastructure in this Fakakta place, but I don’t need a hulking SUV either. i can handle the atrocious potholes.

Renault 5 sounds perfect for you