WetEV
Well-known member
aventineavenue said:Also: Unlike the LEAF, the Volt uses an active liquid thermal management system (TMS) that both cools and warms the battery, keeping it in a "sweet spot" of between ~45F and ~85F while in operation (discharge) or being charged. Under extreme circumstances, it may even activate while the car is parked in the heat.
The OP has that as well. It's called living in the usually cool coastal Pacific Northwest. We get plenty of cool liquid most months. Rain happens.
A TMS wouldn't help battery life at all, might even hurt it, at least in the PNW. With outside conditions cool, with a TMS, the battery will stay warmer (due to being insulated) than without a TMS. Unless you DCQC a lot, and probably other complications. This is why studies show that TMS only helps in hot climates.
BernieTx said:Eric Belmer from Ohio has driven his 2012 Volt Sparkie over 315k miles with over 110k miles on EV and still gets the same 35 mile EV range as when brand new.
Same 35 mile EV range? OK, but that doesn't mean the same battery capacity. That's about 3000 battery full cycles. Batteries do wear out. This can be slowed by battery design, and by thermal management, but not stopped. The interesting question is how is EB's Volt still getting the same range on a reduced battery capacity?
More efficient driving?
Reduction in the battery top and bottom margins?
Something else?