Good, bad or average?

[CuriousIslander]

I have finally managed a run on the mainland, and took a round trip of 400 miles - a there and back holiday, a canal trip by narrowboat between the 2 200 mile journeys- with a full car of four adults and luggage. My car is a standard range 5 SR. I fully charged before I left home, and charged twice, both at Banbury (Osprey - excellent, no fuss), once on the way north and once on the way south. Both driving days the temperatures were mid teens. Driving was nearly all on dual carriageway and motorway and I tried to stick to sensible speeds, usually about 60 to 65 mph. From what I can see from my analysis of data, the car gave me about 200 miles equivalent to a full charge over the total distance. Is this what I should expect on these longer runs? The WLTP figure is 214 of course. Around the Isle of Wight I am regularly getting 230ish miles to a full charge. I was expecting greater consumption (faster speeds and more weight in the car) and am just curious to know whether 200 miles is reasonable? If so I shall know what to expect on future trips.
I must say I was very pleased with the ride, handling, comfort and everything else about the car on this longer journey.

 

[manictomb]

It sounds all good I have the LR one and it all sounds right to me be interested in what others say ?

 

[Jomarkh]

A steady 60-65mph would be good for the range but four adults and luggage would not be.
What was your average m/kWh?

 

[CuriousIslander]

A steady 60-65mph would be good for the range but four adults and luggage would not be.
What was your average m/kWh?

4.0

 

[Jomarkh]

My current 2.5k is 3.9, last summer my average over 7k was 4.3.
4 is great for the trip you did, what do you get around the island?

 

[CuriousIslander]

My current 2.5k is 3.9, last summer my average over 7k was 4.3.
4 is great for the trip you did, what do you get around the island?

Over the winter months (November to March) I achieved 4.0 (about 3.5k miles), April and May so far before this trip 4.6, but currently reading 4.4, having taken this trip. Total distance since April 1st only about 800 miles. It will be interesting to see if the 4.4 figure creeps up over the rest of the summer, as I don't have any more planned mainland excursions. From what you have said I think these figures are all quite reasonable. Taking into account the 48.8kwh actually available in the battery, these figures seem reasonably consistent with the overall miles-per-full-charge that I appear to be getting (ie 48.8*4=195.2), although my local results (230ish miles) would suggest a rather better mpkwh rate of about 4.7. I know all of these figures are at best approximations, so I can't read too much into them, but it all seems quite reassuring.

 

[Jomarkh]

Like you say the figures just give you an idea of what you are getting from the car and how much you are saving on fossil fuel and having a really nice car to drive.

 

[Dino]

I’d be happy with 200miles/4kwh with that load. I don’t always get that economy with just me in the car, so I need to change my driving style ?

 

[CuriousIslander]

I’d be happy with 200miles/4kwh with that load. I don’t always get that economy with just me in the car, so I need to change my driving style ?

As an extra - I have always so far driven in Eco mode and usually Kers 3. I don't know if that makes much difference, but even with 4 up the performance is IMO still more than adequate. I also experimented with cruise control, as I have read somewhere that CC gives a better use of battery than the driver's right foot, but I guess that depends very much on driving style. I didn't come to any conclusions.

 

[5teep]

I aim for 200 and anything I get over that is a bonus. Mind you, it's pretty easy in warm weather to get 220 plus but you have to drive "non-aggressively".

 

[BugEyed]

I also experimented with cruise control, as I have read somewhere that CC gives a better use of battery than the driver's right foot, but I guess that depends very much on driving style. I didn't come to any conclusions.

Maintaining a constant speed is not the most economical way to drive. If you read up about hypermiling in EVs you'll find that allowing the speed to vary going downhill is more efficient. But avoiding longer periods of high speed is good so cruise control can help.
How do you find the ACC on crowded roads? I have yet to get used to it and find it disconcerting when people pull in too close in front.

 

[manictomb]

It really depends on the condition of the road as in how busy I think it is ok acc but am more mindful of the other drivers on the road bugeyed?

 

[NanaBear]

We travelled from Preston to Penrith- about 70 miles, fully loaded. Setting was eco drive and Kers 3 and (taking it easy) we used 70 miles of range. Very pleasantly surprised, we thought we’d eat up the range.

 

[Wazzajnr]

My "goto" speed setting on previous cars is normally 80mph on the cruise control giving an actual speed of 75-77mph in reality which is just inside the speed where I will get a ticket (most of my long journeys are late evening/night or early hours of the morning.
In real terms, is this going to make a massive difference to range compared with setting 70mph?
My thinking is that at 70, I would be getting boxed in the centre lane more often and having to accelerate to speed more thus using up precious electrons!

Thoughts?

 

[Douma]

I have finally managed a run on the mainland, and took a round trip of 400 miles - a there and back holiday, a canal trip by narrowboat between the 2 200 mile journeys- with a full car of four adults and luggage. My car is a standard range 5 SR. I fully charged before I left home, and charged twice, both at Banbury (Osprey - excellent, no fuss), once on the way north and once on the way south. Both driving days the temperatures were mid teens. Driving was nearly all on dual carriageway and motorway and I tried to stick to sensible speeds, usually about 60 to 65 mph. From what I can see from my analysis of data, the car gave me about 200 miles equivalent to a full charge over the total distance. Is this what I should expect on these longer runs? The WLTP figure is 214 of course. Around the Isle of Wight I am regularly getting 230ish miles to a full charge. I was expecting greater consumption (faster speeds and more weight in the car) and am just curious to know whether 200 miles is reasonable? If so I shall know what to expect on future trips.
I must say I was very pleased with the ride, handling, comfort and everything else about the car on this longer journey.

Drove my MG5 Exclusive sr from Liverpool to Carnforth, started off with 100% arrived at Carnforth having used only 33%, some w****r in a Lotus sportscar thought he'd be clever & switched off the charger thinking I'd have to charge longer, must have been really surprised when he found that we'd already driven off

 

[smokie]

My "goto" speed setting on previous cars is normally 80mph on the cruise control giving an actual speed of 75-77mph in reality which is just inside the speed where I will get a ticket ...

I used to do this too. The 10% + 2mph used to be the ACPO recommendation. I have been told that police forces are not necessarily following it these days (in particular with m'way cameras) so I'm now mostly sticking to 70 on the button, sometimes 75.

In real terms, is this going to make a massive difference to range compared with setting 70mph?
My thinking is that at 70, I would be getting boxed in the centre lane more often and having to accelerate to speed more thus using up precious electrons!

Thoughts?

I was wresting with a similar thought on an hour's ride round the M25 earlier but from a different angle. I think one of the apps will help me but I was wondering whether the door to door time of a long journey would be quicker using a lower speed (e.g. 60 v. 70) with less stops, or going quicker and stopping more. I reckon there isn't much in it. My long journeys are so few and far between any extra cost doesn't bother me.

 

[biffo]

I’m not convinced vehicle load has a massive impact over a long journey - sure there is more mass to move up hill but also more to assist going down. Pulling away from standstill will need more energy but maintaining a constant speed should t really. This has been mentioned by the high mileage users who use their MG5 as a work van.

Items such as roof boxes and bikes will impact though as creating more drag, and the faster you go, the more impact. I stick to 65mph on ACC, seeing the vast majority of the cars on the road illegally exceeding the speed limit & unnecessarily throwing away their money gives me a self righteous satisfaction ?‍

 

[Robf]

I used to drive at similar speeds of around 80mph (I drive on the M25 often) , but just to see how it was (I read a report on how relaxing it was to drive at 60mph) I tried driving at a steady 60mph. I do find it relaxing, and it is just right to fit in with the Lorries. You dont get involved with all the boy racers and it is surprising how often you catch up with cars that zoomed past in the outside lane (they get caught up in slower outside lane traffic whilst the inside lane is surprisingly fluid). I thought that I would speed up when the motorway was quiet, but actually dont (i just set the cruise control and relax). I have a zslr on order and drive a 30kw leaf.

 

[biffo]

I used to drive fast. Proper fast. My remapped Volvo V70R AWD (the sports version of the Police T5 spec cars) rarely sat below three digits on the motorway, the auto box changing into 5th gear on full boost at 135mph was not an uncommon experience. In all weather conditions.

Then the sense of my own mortality kicked in and speed became a bit boring. There always seemed to be someone wanting to overtake in the silliest places - which, previously was probably me :-(

Now, I'm the car you see slowing to the speed limit every single time - even through roadworks on a Sunday. I am the stereotype of the reformed addict. (I had no points on license btw - caught once years ago doing 87mph on a motorway in a previous Volvo).

With an EV though - especially with current demand for rapid chargers and the MG's charge speed - a longer journey might be quicker by driving slower.

 

[Wazzajnr]

Driving at 60-70mph drives me nuts. At 60mph, you're constantly looking for the gap to pull out from behind the truck doing 55, at 70 your constantly looking for the gap to get out from behind the middle lane hog, I find that at 80 on clear-ish motorways, I tend to not have to vary speed or change lane very often.
Obviously, when it's busier time or area, speed tends to be closer to 60 and that's fine. I'm not a speed merchant, just really wondered how much range penalty is payable for the extra 10mph