Putting a figure on wind resistance

[ChrisR]

After a couple of months of mostly around-town driving with some 100km/h stretches (averaging 13 kWh/100km) I did my first real motorway drive today with a 184 km round trip in my Excite 51 (SE SR).

I still got pretty pleasing efficiency in Eco mode with one-pedal and ACC, with aircon on about half the time each way.

Very interesting that the first leg was into a headwind of about 20 km/h and the return with that as tailwind. So wind direction (which was pretty much the only variable) can have quite an effect - 15.6 kWh/100km versus 14.2 (or 3.98 mi/kWh versus 4.38) - nearly 10% difference.

 

[MGFour]

After a couple of months of mostly around-town driving with some 100km/h stretches (averaging 13 kWh/100km) I did my first real motorway drive today with a 184 km round trip in my Excite 51 (SE SR).

I still got pretty pleasing efficiency in Eco mode with one-pedal and ACC, with aircon on about half the time each way.

Very interesting that the first leg was into a headwind of about 20 km/h and the return with that as tailwind. So wind direction (which was pretty much the only variable) can have quite an effect - 15.6 kWh/100km versus 14.2 (or 3.98 mi/kWh versus 4.38) - nearly 10% difference.

View attachment 21984

Altitude also affects it. I get around high 3's-4 mi/kWh on journey to work each day in current weather but journey home is around 2.7. No major hills and seems pretty flat but its a very gradual rise to my town and you wouldn't realize but has an affect on consumption.

 

[Fogey]

You both may find this interesting:

MG4: Drag, Various Conditions

I thought I'd have a look at the power levels needed to combat aerodynamic drag at constant road speeds, in various conditions. At high speed, these will dominate in economy terms, particularly if those conditions are adverse. To get the overall power level requirement, there'll be an added...

www.mgevs.com

 

[ChrisR]

Altitude also affects it. I get around high 3's-4 mi/kWh on journey to work each day in current weather but journey home is around 2.7. No major hills and seems pretty flat but its a very gradual rise to my town and you wouldn't realize but has an affect on consumption.

Yes, that was another slight variable but as the start and end of the journey was higher elevation it would add a bit more to the difference.