Publius wrote:It's been between 3 and 15 degrees lately where I live, which means I've had a crash course in how cold weather, snow-covered roads, and climate control use affect the range of my Leaf. I think it's quite possible that you will only get 46 miles on a full charge, although even in single-digit temperatures I've been able to do better than that. While there are many variables at play, I can say for sure that you're not going to get 73 miles on one charge in the winter if it gets cold where you live.
Well, I do. But you are right that "there are many variables at play":
Increases range:
• I don't need to use the cabin heater when pushing the range because I dress warmly in winter, am acclimated to it, and often get help from the sun here in sunny Colorado
• High altitude = reduced air resistance (8000 feet to 5700 feet)
• Some of my driving is at slower speeds, such as 35 mph, and I never exceed 60 mph on the highway, which is the speed limit
• Mostly dry roads, if roads are snowpacked I wouldn't attempt a 70 mile trip
• Car lives in a garage that generally stays above freezing so the battery pack usually doesn't get cold-soaked
Decreases range:
• Cold weather (of course)
• Large elevation changes of about 2300 feet
• Some dirt road driving
• My battery pack is more than a year old and the winter range has decreased somewhat