2018 first real world range test- disappointed a little

[LeftieBiker]

Air friction is directly proportional to speed. If you drive twice the speed to cover the same distance, it will take twice the power. Physics. Works the same way in an ICE.

I don't think this is correct at speeds in which air resistance is a real factor. I think it would be more like 4X the power needed to drive 70MPH as 35MPH, and maybe more.

[SageBrush]

Air friction is directly proportional to speed. If you drive twice the speed to cover the same distance, it will take twice the power. Physics. Works the same way in an ICE.

I don't think this is correct at speeds in which air resistance is a real factor. I think it would be more like 4X the power needed to drive 70MPH as 35MPH, and maybe more.

Talking only about air resistance Vs speed, the change in energy/distance is quadratic and the power is cubic.

[LeaferSutherland]

Also, and I don’t think this can be stated too many times, there is a diffence between kilowatts and kilowatt hours. Even if you’re talking about the capacity of your battery with regard to range, people will get confused if you’re not paying attention when you type it and make an error. They will think you’re talking about kilowatt minutes or days for example.

[SageBrush]

Also, and I don’t think this can be stated too many times, there is a diffence between kilowatts and kilowatt hours. Even if you’re talking about the capacity of your battery with regard to range, people will get confused if you’re not paying attention when you type it and make an error. They will think you’re talking about kilowatt minutes or days for example.

Ya know, your EV ownership will be enhanced by a a deeper understanding of the the effects of wind, rain and defroster use on power consumption ... or you can take a time out and go pout in a corner.

[LeaferSutherland]

oh sorry. I thought it was a joke. Like this had devolved into us all posting the exact same information that has already been posted over and over and pretending as if it was new Info.

Rest assured, there is zero information that I need to learn from you all about this car at this point. Got the lingo now I think. Always understood all of the information about energy use, wind, heat, defrost, etc. learned that the radio uses very little power comparatively so that was valuable. I read most of the other info posted in this forum before we bought the car so feeling pretty good. Thanks for your concern though.

[jlv]

Lastly, would you really do that? Run an uncomfortable cabin temp for other passengers while you’re nice and warm using seat heat that they don’t have available to them? Seems like a dick move to me.

Both of my EVs have rear seat heaters, and if I regularly had rear passengers in the car I would not by an EV without them. Just another thing to be disappointed at in the 2018 LEAF.

[alozzy]

FYI, aero drag increases by the square of the velocity so even small increases in highway speed increases required force to overcome that drag dramatically.

[SageBrush]

FYI, aero drag increases by the square of the velocity so even small increases in highway speed increases required force to overcome that drag dramatically.

At speeds between 60 and 75 mph the Aero component is ~ 1/3 -- 2/3rds of the total forces, depending on CdA and actual speed. Consider a 10% increase in speed in conditions where Aero is half of the total: Aero increases 1.1^2 = 1.21 while fuel consumption per mile increases about 1.21/2 or about 10%. It is actually a little more for reasons most people do not care about; the point I wish to make is that the graph is less curved than you might guess.

[Reddy]

@Reddy,

Your post of the EPA test is correct but you neglected to mention that the Monrooney (sp?) sticker incorporates a 30% discount off the raw results. That is why the highway fuel economy is said to represent 65 mph driving (on dry roads, etc.)

Thanks, I didn't know that.

[Evoforce]

Thanks for posting OP. Your driving experience using your "18" leaf I found informative. You were very close in range to what I had felt were going to be more realistic range numbers for a 150 mile rated Leaf. In fact, dead on with what I had extrapolated and posted about previously. The best guessing that was done was based on previous model Leafs and perceived performance of traveling at freeway speeds of around 65 MPH. I sure wished that you could have held out for the 2019 Leaf which I think (hope) will be a better car to own. It remains to be seen if Nissan will truly step up its game. I am glad that you still will be able to use this car for shorter trips but I am sorry it might not be ideal for your medium and longer trips. Good luck!