Has software update reduced your Kona Electric range?

On May 11th I Said "Since August 2020 when I first started posting that my mileage dropped from the 320-325 range to under 300 I have now charged my car at least another 10 to 15 times (about once every 3 weeks) and my mileage has slowly climbed to 316 miles as of this morning. My last two prior charges were 315 miles each. So, I think this car has reached its plateau and will never go any higher". Happy to report my last charge a few days ago was 319 EV Miles. So Slowly moving up.

 

Has anyone Received the New Kona EV Battery Replacement? If so What Year is your Car and How many EV Miles have you been able to get on a full charge?

 

Yes. 2018 Kona. On a roughly right basis the range does not seem to have changed. When charged to 90% the range shows 410 kms (256 Miles). This is similar to what it got before. The monthly consumption is usually under 15kWh/100km.

 

Bill, back in August 2020 we were discussing battery mileage range per charge. When we had those discussions I owned a 2020 Kona Ultimate. My range before the Dealer Battery Updates was 326 miles. Afterward, it dropped into the low 290 range. I charged it about every 3 weeks until June 2021. The range did go up, but never above 311 miles per charge. In June 2021 Hyundai bought my 2020 car back under the California Lemmon Law Act. On Wednesday, December 8th I posted a Very Long Explanation of why they bought it back and how I leased a Brand new 2021 Kona EV Ultimate (not subject to the battery recall) exactly with the same exterior and interior colors, and how my payments dropped from $518 per month to $375 per month and my lease changed from 48 months to 36 months. My new car is now charging to between 311 and 319 miles per charge. I was hoping to get back up to the 325 range I had with my 2020 but I can't complain because the actual Sticker Rating is 258. Maybe it will increase with time.

 

I posted a few increases in the last few months stating my range was increasing. Can't find the post. Probably out of order or on a different forum. I know I posted 333 Miles on September 2nd, 2022 which I was thrilled with. I just Charged my car again on September 24, 2022, and it increased again to 336 Miles. See attached photos. I am hoping for another increase with my next charge, but I won't be disappointed if it remains at 336.

 

Incredible ... Mine is going the opposite way ... Charged to 80% 2 days ago (from 15%) and only got 208 miles. A couple months ago, for a long trip, I Charged to 100% and only got 278 miles. I am NOT a lead foot and mostly just drive around town to local stores. Always ECO mode / Level 3 ... I was regularly getting around 230 miles at 80% charged until about 3 months ago. Something is definitely "deteriorating". (My 2020 Ultimate was never a candidate for battery replacement.)

 

Tim, What is your battery level when you charge? I only charge when my battery is less than 10%. Once I charged when my battery was at ZERO. I was about 2 miles from my home charger and I had no choice except to keep going. Luckily I made it home. I always charge to 100%, never less. Also, I live in Southern California and we have been having an unusual Heat Wave between 90 and 104 every day for a month or longer. I think they say on the Forum, that you get more miles in a hotter climate than you do in a cold climate. Not sure. Don't have time to research it.

 

This last week I was down to 6% charge & 14 miles .. close to home fortunately. I'm in SF BAY AREA. It had been very hot here as well 2 weeks or so ago. Basically in the low 90's lately though ... But I really am not driving much in the heat. I have a spreadsheet I maintain of my charging and it just seems to progressively be going down. 230's Jan-May of this year @ 80%. Now since June, going down. 209 miles over this last 80% charge. I'm wondering if I should be charging to 100% occasionally - maybe that would help reset or pre-condition the batteries? I *DID* charge to 100% in Aug = only 278 miles !! Just makes no sense to me ... I mean, I get these are just GOM's .. based on driving habits. But again, I'm not hard on this car.

 

Why are you only charging to 80%. Why not go to 100%? Is your car waiting for a new Battery and Hyundai told you to charge at 80%? In my opinion, you need to charge at 100% Every Time. Sorry I don't know what GOM's are.

 

It has always been my understanding that Lithium Batteries should NOT be constantly "topped". Doing so reduces their capacity over time. Of course I'm now seeing this doing what seems to be the recommendation to 80%. I'll try what you suggest a few times & see if anything changes for the better. But as mentioned, last time I topped to 100%, I only got 278 miles. GOM = Guess Of Meter ... What others here explain as a general estimation (Guess) of what you range is based on historical driving habits with the car.

 

Tim, I don't give a hoot about the Battery deteriorating. I will just lease a new car. I NEVER Own Cars - Just Lease them!!

 

LOL ... well, I guess that's an option.

 

Tim, another way to look at it. Whether you buy the car or lease it Hyundai has the best warranty in the business. The battery is warranted by Hyundai for 10 years or 100,000 miles. If the battery won't charge above the rated amount (is it 258 or 268) take it to Hyundai and Demand a new Battery. You will get it.

 

Topping off to 100% and letting it sit is stressful to the battery pack
Keeping away from the extremes is the best way to maximize battery lifetime (10-90% good; 20-80% maximum)

Memory issues pretty much went away with NiCad batteries.

 

I Repeat: Whether you buy the car or lease it Hyundai has the best warranty in the business. The battery is warranted by Hyundai for 10 years or 100,000 miles. If the battery won't charge above the rated amount (is it 258 or 268) take it to Hyundai and Demand a new Battery. You will get it.

 

The reason I drive Hyundai's is the warranty (and the quality to back it up) - that said, the idea is to not need the warranty by stressing the vehicles systems at the lowest reasonable level to maximize the likelihood of achieving 200k miles without a major system failure.
For me, 50% of the planned vehicle life is not under warranty. If I was in the habit of swapping vehicles every five years or less then I wouldn't be as concerned.

 

That's true but my 2010 Prius at 400,000Kms had original charge on all cells. I never did anything special but trusted the BMS.
I think that's the main message. I suppose I'll know in about 150,000Kms. Had the car since May and already at 11,000kms.