Battery level never at max

[pete l]

Hi all,

I'm a newish owner of an MG3 hybrid+, how can I get the battery up to full charge ? it never goes past 6 bars, rather than the 8.

it's constantly only using 4 bars of energy, engine on at 2 bars and engine off at 6 bars, only half of the pack's energy is being used !

Pete.

 

[Tuomas]

Usually battery will last better, when its usage is between 20% and 80%.

 

[Coulomb]

only half of the pack's energy is being used !

That's common for hybrids. My old Prius used I think 30-70%, which is less than half the available energy.

Hybrids are brutal on their batteries. They have all the power demand of an EV, from a lower capacity battery. To make it last, they have to restrict the state of charge limits. With more modern hybrids, which typically have a battery capacity larger than the earliest EVs, that restriction can be more relaxed. I don't know what the limits are now.

 

[pete l]

If that's how MG planned on it being used, why didn't they give maximum bars at 80% charge?
I just don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

 

[Coulomb]

If that's how MG planned on it being used, why didn't they give maximum bars at 80% charge?

In the Prius's case, I think there were rare circumstances under which the SoC could temporarily go outside those bounds. It would then flash the battery SoC display, if I recall correctly.

I assume that the same would apply to MG hybrids.

 

[Tuomas]

If that's how MG planned on it being used, why didn't they give maximum bars at 80% charge?
I just don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

If you drive downhill battery could be 100% fully loaded.

 

[decrep]

That's another thing isn't it. A full battery doesn't permit regen. so using petrol to charge to 100% doesn't make sense for fuel economy.

 

[Tuomas]

The fuel consumption of a self-charging hybrid is reported as petrol consumption. The car is not promised any specific electric-only range, so in my opinion, the MG3 functions as it should.

The battery typically doesn't charge to 100% or drop below 30%, because this way the battery's lifespan is maximized. If the battery charge constantly fluctuated between 0–100%, battery lifespan would likely be only half as long as it is now!

 

[Italy]

I'm sharing my simple experience with you.

I've had my MG3 for almost a year now.

Recently, after a fairly long descent, I noticed this furtive message on the dashboard:

"regeneration mode impossible, battery full" (well, something like that).

As there's no audible signal, I don't know if it's the first time or if it's happened before without me noticing.

Indeed, the bars indicating the charge level were at maximum.

 

[decrep]

you'd notice it if you wanted to slow down, the brake pedal pressure would be higher

 

[johnbristol1966]

It certainly is scary when you are going down a long hill and the regen stops due to full battery. It feels like the car accelerates! The software I have has often revved at 3000rpm at that point too due to the known fault with some software versions!

 

[Unid05]

Recently, after a fairly long descent, I noticed this furtive message on the dashboard:

"regeneration mode impossible, battery full" (well, something like that).

As there's no audible signal, I don't know if it's the first time or if it's happened before without me noticing.

Indeed, long descents charge it fully, at which point you're left fully pedal-breaking, as opposed to having the regen act like an engine break. Not fun anymore, since you need to be almost constantly breaking, especially if the descent is steeper.

Also, I've recently encountered the opposite, when after very long and continuous ascents the battery is depleted, leading to noticeably reduced throttle response, since the petrol engine was mostly charging the battery, I'd guess.

 

[johnbristol1966]

The problem of losing power going uphill with depleted batteries is another issue that MG are aware of. It was the one issue I had when my dealer changed the software to cure it, and gave me the screaming revs on any hill! I wish I'd kept the original one!

 

[pete l]

How was it before then ?

I've not attempted any long hills yet, only done 400 miles in mine, when mine sees a slight incline the engine starts and revs around 2200 rpm, even at 10 mph !

 

[johnbristol1966]

The only issue I had before the update was approaching a long fast hill just after the southern end of the M5 and I had the 'pull back' as the batteries depleted with my foot still on the accelerator. Up to then I hadn't noticed any high revs over about 2000rpm at any time.

However the plus side of high revs now is that it spends more time in EV mode, and my mpg has improved!

I'd trade the extra mpg now for some sanity while driving uphill though!