HVAC and Range

[MattLikesBikes]

Wondering if the EPA range reported by any of the EV makers is with the HVAC system operating the whole time. I'm in central Texas and run the AC in my truck 8+ months of the year. If I cannot expect to get the 300 mile range while using HVAC, the truck may be a non-starter.

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[kdkool]

AC really isn't the problem actually. It's relatively minimal in impact to your overall range to run the AC. Heating is actually more of a concern as batteries are less optimal at cold temperatures. I believe these things just run the AC in reverse for heat pump mode for efficiency. Not sure how the handle extreme cold heating though. Probably an inefficient heating element of some sort.

 

[Diabolical!]

I live southeast of New Orleans and have driven PHEVs for years. Air conditioning has minimal effect on range in my experience. Maybe 2% at most. Heating, on the other hand, can really drag the battery down. I've found that preconditioning my car while its plugged in and using the heated seats helps me to use far less battery to heating the car. Luckily, in southeast Louisiana, there might be ten days a year at most when I have to actually run the heater.

 

[dhrandy]

I think you'll lose more range in the winter than summer.

 

[Kiggulak]

My 2013 Ford Focus EV with a new refurb battery states 82 mi range fully charged on the range guess o meter. If I turn on the AC it drops 9-11 miles. Now the batteries and range guess o meter technology have improved but you will have less range using AC/heat. Not sure if the Lightning will have a heat pump or be a purely resistive heating option. I live in South Florida so I use the AC daily but use heated seats instead of cabin heat in the winter for both days that are cold(ish). Has anyone asked about a heat pump from the Lighting Q&A technical meetings?

 

[F150ROD]

I never really noticed a significant loss in range when I had my Model 3, it more noticeable with the heater on.

 

[Lime Green]

My Teslas have never been noticeably impacted by blasting the AC, even in AZ or the surrounding area when super hot. As others have pointed out, it’s the heater that sucks up the juice. The new heat pump design in the Model Y and updated Model S (Plaid) are way more efficient in this regard and the cars fare a lot better in the cold with these changes. Not sure what to expect just yet from the F-150 Lightning. Not so concerned about summer unless I’m really pulling something heavy. I’m more wondering if the truck can be truly usable for reasonable range through a Colorado or Wyoming winter.

 

[RLXXI]

I live southeast of New Orleans and have driven PHEVs for years. Air conditioning has minimal effect on range in my experience. Maybe 2% at most. Heating, on the other hand, can really drag the battery down. I've found that preconditioning my car while its plugged in and using the heated seats helps me to use far less battery to heating the car. Luckily, in southeast Louisiana, there might be ten days a year at most when I have to actually run the heater.

That's good to know, I'm in the greater New Orleans area, westbank.

 

[Aamyotte]

AC really isn't the problem actually. It's relatively minimal in impact to your overall range to run the AC. Heating is actually more of a concern as batteries are less optimal at cold temperatures. I believe these things just run the AC in reverse for heat pump mode for efficiency. Not sure how the handle extreme cold heating though. Probably an inefficient heating element of some sort.

Some of the manufacturer's use the heat pump (AC in reverse) for heating. Not the Mach-e and have not seen what the Lightning has for heating. Heat pumps are effective for temperatures above -13f/-25c, in Northern Ontario where I live it get colder than that and the heat pump wouldn't be able to keep up. It would be interesting if the manufacturers would put out EPA on 80f and -13f.

 

[RLXXI]

The coolant system for the batteries circulates fluid similar to an ICE vehicle cooling system, the only problem is the coolant is no where near as hot as it needs to be to provide enough cabin heat, it should hover some where around 90F +/-

If they were to take that and add what would essentially be a diesel block heater to a separate reservoir it could help in the reduction of battery energy (theoretically).

That coupled with TED's in the seats, might be a way to drop battery draw as opposed to throwing a toaster grid into a box with fan forced air across the heating coils.

Where I live a heat pump setup would work better.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

Wondering if the EPA range reported by any of the EV makers is with the HVAC system operating the whole time. I'm in central Texas and run the AC in my truck 8+ months of the year. If I cannot expect to get the 300 mile range while using HVAC, the truck may be a non-starter.

Pro Tip, start your AC while your truck is plugged in. It’ll save you a bit of range.

I think you'll lose more range in the winter than summer.

Generally speaking, you are correct. Fortunately, the OP lives in Austin so it’s not really that big of a deal.

 

[dhrandy]

Generally speaking, you are correct. Fortunately, the OP lives in Austin so it’s not really that big of a deal.

You also lose a little mileage with winter blend fuel. And it’s nationwide.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15339380/the-vapor-rub-summer-versus-winter-gasoline-explained/

 

[astricklin]

Day to day driving you probably will have plenty of range that it's not going to matter. For a long distance trip, slow down 5mph and you'll make it back up. Especially if you typically drive 75mph+

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