I used my 2014 24kWh leaf to go to work/shopping, 10km round trip, 9 minutes there 15 back(traffic) 5-6 days a week for the last 4 years. (Jan 2020 SOH 79.8/Oct 2024 SOH 74.44)
Rather than use the guess o meter I have the battery % displayed on dash & use that.
I know that the return trip to work takes about 18% of battery. 3% there, 15% back (I live halfway up one side of hill from work/shops so lots of regen on trip in), but this is an approx average.
In summer outside temperatures range up to about 28 degrees celsius max /inside garage 8 to 12 degrees, this would take about only 8-5% for the return trip (lowest I've noticed was 3%?).
In winter outside temp is down to -1 to 5 degrees /inside garage 6 to 8 degrees this can take up to 24% of the battery charge for the return trip (highest was 28% in the snow/ice).
I only charge up to 80% (79%). I would plug in at about 50% in winter (sometimes only after one trip). 40% in summer, (three trips) giving me enough for another trip in if I forget to plug in or a sudden craving for a takeaway and still be above 20%.
(Thank god I quit smoking before I went EV. For those who don't know; the waking in the night for a *** only to find you have none left can be a wee bit unsettling.)
I found that having the heatpump & stearing wheel on together during winter only made a 3-4% difference in battery charge for a single trip, so in my situation I would still be plugging in to charge after one or two trips. It didnt make enough of a difference to worry about. I never used the heated seats, I read somewere not to use them if you had seatcovers (thinking about it I don't know why not).
My understanding is the battery efficiency degrades above or below the batterys "happy place", between 25 to 35 dregrees celsius?, not certain of correct temps so if someone can confirm it please do
And for the LiFeSo batterys its higher ?
You are doing great. Have same year LEAF, 75 mile range in summer, don't recall guessing 70-72 winter*. I have 42,000 miles on car and 10 bars.
Range goes down as you say with colder temps, exact temp to range loss not sure exactly. It's noticeable when it's in the 30's (0C). WINTER * I have mild winter temps of 40's F typically, occasionally high 30's F. There can be single digit temps but it's rare. I can tell the range goes down slightly. 5%? Now people who live in sub zero temps, -0C, are going to see some significant drop no doubt.
You will notice active brake regen is less when deaccelerating in "B" mode when it is cold. At 15C or 60F difference in range and regen I recall are nil, small. How you drive, tire pressure, payload in car are bigger factors in range. If I go on freeway, 75 mph, range plummets. About 45-50 mpg may be a sweet spot. Awhile since I tried to measure this. Above 55 mph range is lower noticeably I am sure.
Your commutes are short, so you should be good regardless of cold temps, you just may need to charge a tad more often, and longer range trips take more consideration. Simple math for my LEAF, 25% loss/over 10 years, average of 2.5%/yr. Note this is average. The degradation is not linear at least for me. It has stayed on 10 bars +2 yrs. You are doing the right thing charging to 80%.
During summer when daytime temps are cooking, I charge right before sunrise when temps are at min. It can get into the 90's F (30's C) mid-day peak summer. Every little bit helps. Good thing about winter temps, less battery degradation. Sounds like you are doing great. With your needed modest range requirements winter is no big deal. You will have a car to drive for a long time. Enjoy.
