I bought my Honda Clarity a few months ago, and lately I've noticed that even when fully charged (like the charger turns off), my EV range shows on average 39-42 miles, rarely more than 44. Could it be because I mostly drive highway miles (over the speed limit)? Hot temperatures? I charge mostly at 110V but sometimes at a local 240V charger. Any ideas appreciated.
Only getting 39-42 miles on a full charge
- Thread starter Kathy
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As spec:
https://automobiles.honda.com/clarity-plug-in-hybrid/specs-features-trim-comparison
Gasoline-Only (MPG, City/Highway/Combined)
44 / 40 / 42
Oh my apologies.
That matches my experience, EV not efficient on highway speed. (And you are speeding)
Drive slower..... and you will observe much better range. Of course, in the right lane, don't be the Prius who blocks the left lane.
Another potential cause is climate. Winter is coming. Bettery performance isn't so good in cold climates. Could be even worse if it rains.
https://automobiles.honda.com/clarity-plug-in-hybrid/specs-features-trim-comparison
Gasoline-Only (MPG, City/Highway/Combined)
44 / 40 / 42
Oh my apologies.
That matches my experience, EV not efficient on highway speed. (And you are speeding)
Drive slower..... and you will observe much better range. Of course, in the right lane, don't be the Prius who blocks the left lane.
Another potential cause is climate. Winter is coming. Bettery performance isn't so good in cold climates. Could be even worse if it rains.
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Undoubtedly driving habits, but there could also be some temperature related issues. Best EV range typically results from city driving (which could include bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic). Worst results come from 65MPH+ driving. 40 mile range is not bad for the high-speed travel you describe. Probably has little to do with charging source (as long as you are getting "100%" charge).
PHEV Newbie
Well-Known Member
During the summer, my everyday 16.5 mile loops use exactly 19% of battery charge. That sounds amazing but it's not. That's in-town stop and go driving with an average speed of 30 mph. If I go on the freeway, it uses a whole heck of a lot more energy per mile. Tesla reports that their cars are most efficient at 23 mph and the range drops every mph faster you go. If you're going 75 - 80 mph, it's gonna have a dramatic effect on your range as you've observed. This is normal for EVs. If most of your driving is long freeway drives, a PHEV is probably not the ideal vehicle for you. Even a regular Toyota Camry gets over 40 mpg on the freeway, as good as most hybrid vehicles under that condition.
Until there is a traffic jam……
same here canada, i use to get 76 to 78 km last 3 and half months, but since the cold weather started like 1 to 5 centigrade ( since a week) i was getting only 54 to 56 km on a full charge (on 110volts) i.e when the charger turns off by the morning, any more people with similar issues.
jealous of the people getting 50+ miles but maybe they are driving 50 mph in 70 degree weather?
Richard_arch74
Active Member
mrgb5, You will see on other threads that losing up to 20% of your range is common from summer temps to cold weather. Here in Michigan, I used to be low 50'sF in September but now can't get it to above 41(lows in the low 30's F.) One of the disadvantages of EV is living in the North. I can only imagine what the range will go down to when the lows are zeroF[emoji2955]. The four seasons are wonderful though.
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Vezz66
Member
To be fair, ICE vehicles are also affected by cold weather AND consume more fuel at higher speeds. Include pre-heating and leaving the car running while shopping...
Getting 60km at 5c these days.
Funny how we use Celsius for everything except cooking.
TimoClarity
New Member
I am getting 77-80 mpg combine and I start out in EV mode and when speed reached 65mph I switched to HV mode. I like the car manual mode options so I can save battery charges for traffic jam and city driving. I am commute 100 miles each day so getting 80mpg is great acheivement for Honda. My other incentive is HOV Lane all the way home.
rickyrsx
Active Member
Same here. Even a little worse now with snow tires on too.
rickyrsx
Active Member
I'm confused about preconditioning. If you're just parked without charging it, is it better to warm up the car? Doesn't that just decrease the battery range even more? How does preconditioning get me better EV range? I live in Toronto, just for reference.
Richard_arch74
Active Member
If you are not plugged in with your charger (L1 or L2), PC'ing you car will cause you to have less range. If you wish, you can have just your seat heater on (car has to be on econ mode when you last drove). Seat heater will use up less range. 30F temps and use of climate heating to 65F inside temp is causing me to have range of only 36mi. Was low 50's range 2 months ago.
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Clarity ev
New Member
Seems now that it is colder or does it cjargetto 48 for me. In the summer it would go to 55miles
Started in my uninsulated garage (~40 degrees F) this morning with an estimated range of 46.7. Pre-conditioned on the L1 for about 20 minutes and only used the seat heater intermittently. No heater other than to run the defrost for a couple seconds a handful of times. I pulled into the garage at work after a 30 mile commute with 27.7 EV range left. There is a 300' foot elevation drop from start to finish, which apparently helps a lot. On my way home I generally use the ICE for about 10 miles and usually end up with a couple miles of EV range left when I hit the driveway. For a 60 mile trip I use about 1/4 gallon of gas. I love it so much.
Edit to add: That is mostly driving at 50 mph down smaller highways, with about 5 miles at the end of stop and go in town driving.
Edit to add: That is mostly driving at 50 mph down smaller highways, with about 5 miles at the end of stop and go in town driving.
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Richard_arch74
Active Member
Wow, that's great, you started with 46.7 estimated range (at no less than 40F temps), drove 30 miles, and had 27.7 miles estimated range left? Those 300' downhill gave you a lot of regen.
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Yeah. That is a little better than normal. It usually takes a little more off, generally around 24 miles or so.
The return trip eats up charge though. I can't charge at work so I can't know for sure, but since I usually use the ICE for about 10 miles in the HOV lane (~70 mph) and end up with a couple miles left at home, I'd estimate it at around 35-40 miles for the return leg.
The return trip eats up charge though. I can't charge at work so I can't know for sure, but since I usually use the ICE for about 10 miles in the HOV lane (~70 mph) and end up with a couple miles left at home, I'd estimate it at around 35-40 miles for the return leg.