Efficiency

[jackdeaoux]

New 2024 lightning Flash. Only 2 months since I got it and am disappointed with the numbers I see as far as how efficient it is. I realize road conditions weather etc can effect. All OEM stock on my truck no mods. I am seeing an average of 1.4 kwm. My driving is in town and freeway n an empty truck. I would regularly see 3 and above on my Ionic 6. I understand very different vehicles. Reading posts here guys are saying 2, 2.1 average kwm. While not new to ev driving new to ev trucks. Any ideas on how to improve my truck’s efficiency?

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[Webbo85]

That's pretty low. I'm at lifetime 2.2 m/kwh after 2 years of driving and 40,000. I'll see 1.4 if I'm doing 80 mph into a headwind, but that's not normal. It starts dropping a lot at speeds over 70 mph. Keep the tires inflated and speed down, and keep your climate control in check. 1.4 doesn't sound right though if the weather isn't crazy where you are.

 

[Grumpy2]

When you look at your trip 1 & 2 efficiency, what numbers do you have for Miles/kWh?

This Trip resets every time, you should see numbers well over 2.0 just driving around your neighborhood, if not, you should be worried.

 

[Henry Ford]

This Trip resets every time, you should see numbers well over 2.0 just driving around your neighborhood, if not, you should be worried.

I don't recall any major failures proceeded by reduced efficiency. Usually it's a combination of excessive speed and unreasonable expectations with the occasional low tire pressure or warm cabin. I see no reason to be worried unless expectations can't be managed and speed can't be reduced.

 

[Whammy Bar]

Averaged 2.0 with a lift and ATs driving it like I do a golf cart after seeing the cart girl for the 2nd time.

Are you using both pedals at the same time?

 

[jackdeaoux]

I regularly see 1.2. Never seen 2.0 or above. I’m in northern CA so weather isn’t really a concern neither hot nor cold. Freeway driving 70,75 but that’s just the flow with no traffic. Cabin temp is moderate. Tire inflation is all green on the app I will check it manually but doesn’t look under inflated. I’m at a loss and shocked by how low it is. In town should be higher, agreed.

 

[B177y]

Freeway driving 70,75 but that’s just the flow with no traffic.

^^ This...

Actually, 1.2 mpk is still low... I got 1.6 mpk doing 80+ mph on I-90 going charger to charger through Montana in the fall. Exclusive freeway driving will get you low mpk, but 1.2 is still lower than "normal".

 

[Pacific.NW]

In my mixed driving in Vancouver, Canada, I find I get an average of 29kWh/100km on factory tires. I have a tonneau cover (if that makes any difference?)

That's 2.1mi/kWh for my non-metric friends.

 

[Firn]

^^ This...

Nah, I get 1.9 to 2.0 at those speeds.

Op, agree that it should be higher. Aside from alignment or a dragging brake i don't know what it could be.

 

[Zprime29]

Only seen those numbers for people towing. Does the math make sense for the amount of energy you are putting back into the truck?

Say for example you drive 30 miles. You plug in and charge to the same limit you always do, putting back in 15kWh. 30miles / 15 kWh = 2 mpk which is the expected efficiency for mild weather at 70mph.

If you are putting in 20kWh for 30 miles and you aren't towing, something isn't right. Do you happen to have an ODBII reader? You can log the energy being used and perhaps that might shed some light. I would log speed, Amp flow to/from the battery, and battery voltage.

 

[jackdeaoux]

Thanks guys. I will try to keep it at 70, much slower than that on the freeway would just about be an obstruction most of the time. Any ideas for around town driving improvements?

 

[Firn]

Are you certain of units here?

Are you seeing 1.4 miles per kilowatt hours? Mi/kwh? You said 1.4kwm.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Did you check your tire pressure?
Are you really sticking to 75 mph?
How hard do you accelerate?
How hilly is your normal drive?

 

[Joe.....Montana]

Definitely seems low...just did a somewhat hilly stretch (mostly flat but some alright hills up and down) of interstate yesterday...it was 50 miles one way with zero traffic....did 75 mph way out and got 2.0 mi/kwh (air temp of 56*)...way back I did 80 mph and got 1.5 mi/kwh (air temp of 42*). Only time trip usage has been near 1.2 mi/kwh was during winter with air temps -20/-30 to 0 degrees and the wife putting heat on 70*...

 

[harlano]

I'm in the SF Bay Area as well. I have a 2023 XLT ER. I mostly drive near my house (in town). I find that I get 2.5 mpkwh on the average, and found that the climate controls make a big difference, particularly the heater. Since the weather around here is mild, I usually roll the window down halfway and leave the climate controls off. This makes the average go above 3mpkwh and on very short trips near the house I sometimes see better than 4-5mpkwh. Once the climate controls are on, I never see these numbers and it'll revert back to 2.0 to 3 mpkwh. Once I get on the freeway, numbers will drop below 2mpkwh but not much below.

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