[Tad in Seattle]

We have a 2018 Bolt, 6 weeks old, 900 miles. Lately it is showing just 164 mile range when "fully charged" (as opposed to 238 when we bought it.) We park and charge it outside and the loss of range does pretty much coincide with weather turning colder, so maybe that's a factor. But (a) it hasn't been THAT cold - lows in mid-30's; highs in mid-40's, (b) I thought when plugged in the Bolt had active temperature regulation, so I'm not sure why colder ambient temperature would even matter and (c) in any case, I can't see how a small dip in temperature could cause a 30% loss of range. Am I wrong to suspect a bad battery? I haven't called the dealer yet - thought I'd check this forum first to see if others have experienced anything similar. Thanks!

 

[daveo4Bolt]

The gauge you are looking at reflects anticipated range based on your recent past driving habits/consumption - once the temp drops below 40F 30% range loss is not uncommon due to:

1. Need to heat the battery
2. Need to heat the cabin
3. Higher consumption per mile due to cold weather driving conditions - colder denser air = increased drag, crappy road condition = higher rolling resistance, slower speeds = more stop/go, snow/rain also take a toll, and lower tire pressures due to cold weather also will decrease efficiency, winter tires also have higher rolling resistance
4. Cold batteries lose efficiency at actually discharging

previous threads have noted that 20F is a key cut off point where range really drops as the demands at 20F and below really ramp up the additional heating requirements for all the elements of the car, and if you're in 20F weather the environment for driving generally sucks as well increasing the over all cost per-mile just to drive around in those conditions.

So a combination of things make EVs suffer in cold weather - it is very unlikely there is a problem with your battery - you are seeing the cumulative effect of cold weather - and the cars recent consumption metrics are simply reflecting that and yield a lower range estimate, because it takes more watts per mile driven.

if you look at the in car energy graphs you'll probably see that your recent driving is closer to 2 or 3 miles/kWh rather than 4 or 5 miles kWh - at 3 miles per kWh the Bolt's 60 kWh battery = 180 miles range. The 238 mile range estimate is about 4 miles per kWh - that's a difficult number to achieve in cold weather driving - so your overall range will drop.

plug the car in overnight, pre-condition the car before you leave in the morning and heat the cabin while the car is plugged in - there a range of tips to mitigate the cold weather effects while driving - i.e. get the car as warm as possible while it's still plugged in, means you will use less battery power to heat the car while driving. Seat warmers and heated steering wheel is less power than heating the cabin air…so overheat the car while it's plugged in, and turn down the temp once you're driving, and make liberal use of seat warmers and steering wheel warmer. Beginning your trip with the car already warm/cozy from "shore power" will dramatically reduce the car's demand on heating elements leaving more battery for driving range.

The missing range will come back when the weather gets warmer. Your battery has not lost capacity, but in the winter your consumption does go up so your anticipated range will drop.

There are lots of threads about this from last year.

 

[SparkE]

Please read the other threads, the issue is really well covered.

 

[daveo4Bolt]

One such thread - there are others

https://www.chevybolt.org/forum/90-...-mpge-discussion/9226-cold-weather-range.html

 

[Tad in Seattle]

thanks, Dave. Not wonderful news, but very useful. Yes, now I see I could have looked under ("Active Topics"). Tad

 

[Packard V8]

The 238 is programmed in for startup. The GOM begins monitoring the actual outside temperatures, your driving style, average speeds, your climate control use and then it keeps a running guesstimate of probable range. You'll probably never see 238 again. I know we haven't, even in the warmest days of summer.

jack vines

 

[Vertiformed]

We have a 2018 Bolt, 6 weeks old, 900 miles. Lately it is showing just 164 mile range when "fully charged" (as opposed to 238 when we bought it.) We park and charge it outside and the loss of range does pretty much coincide with weather turning colder, so maybe that's a factor. But (a) it hasn't been THAT cold - lows in mid-30's; highs in mid-40's, (b) I thought when plugged in the Bolt had active temperature regulation, so I'm not sure why colder ambient temperature would even matter and (c) in any case, I can't see how a small dip in temperature could cause a 30% loss of range. Am I wrong to suspect a bad battery? I haven't called the dealer yet - thought I'd check this forum first to see if others have experienced anything similar. Thanks!

Are you charging it to full, or to some other point (hill-top reserve for a 2018, lower charge termination percent in a 2019)?

Are you running the heat?

Are you doing mostly fast freeway driving?

 

[psyflyjohn]

1.) Be sure you're not in "Hilltop mode"
2.) Turn off Climate Control & fully charge the car.
3.) Drive the car with Climate Control remaining "Off" for a full charge cycle.
4.) Your next full charge, with Hilltop mode off and Climate Control off, the GOM should show something near 238.
5.) If the GOM doesn't show over 200 mi, I would go to the dealer and insist on a complete battery diagnostic procedure.

I have a 2017 and 2018 Bolt. The temp here has been getting into the 40's, and the cars are still showing close to 238 mi. Note that use of heater equipment will kill your mileage range quicker than anything. If I lived in a cold climate, I wouldn't buy an electric car...

Good luck

 

[Packard V8]

If I lived in a cold climate, I wouldn't buy an electric car...

And why is that? Maybe, say "Your needs, opinions and results may differ." Not everyone in a cold climate drives 238 miles a day. We live in the frozen northwest and have never even been slightly inconvenienced by owning a Bolt. In fact, we love it more than any car we've ever owned!

jack vines

 

[NewsCoulomb]

If the car is just sitting there in the cold, yes, it's going to anticipate really low range. If the cabin conditioning is on, it's also going to predict worst-case energy consumption.

Now it is possible to see ranges that low on a full battery, but the only times I've seen that type of efficiency, it's been in the 30s and I've been driving sustained 65-75 mph.

 

[PhilBo]

I live in the Northeast where temperatures have occasionally dropped below freezing especially overnight. Two charges to 100% in the last couple of weeks have given me an estimated GOM range of 160 and 169 miles. I typically drive with both the seat and steering wheel heater on and cabin temperature setting of ~72 degrees. What you're experiencing is typical.

 

[fortytwopointtwo]

I'm in Ottawa - temperatures here for the heart of winter range from -10C to -30C (14F to -22F). We drive on snow-packed roads quite often, and wet and salted/sanding roads the rest of the time. The car has handled this superbly, but you need to plan for the weather's impact in assessing if the Bolt (or any EV) makes sense. My experience last winter showed that I had an approximate range of 250km (155 miles) in all but the most extreme weather. That was plenty for my use cases. I made a post about a 240km christmas trip last year. Also - EV adoption in Canada is doing quite well (less so now that one of the Provinces dropped their incentives). We also have very high gas prices, so the incentive is there for those that do the research.

 

[BruceA1923]

And why is that? Maybe, say "Your needs, opinions and results may differ." Not everyone in a cold climate drives 238 miles a day. We live in the frozen northwest and have never even been slightly inconvenienced by owning a Bolt. In fact, we love it more than any car we've ever owned!

jack vines

Absolutely correct, well said for sure!

 

[neutrondrip]

Also, make sure your tires are properly inflated, that made a difference for me.

If you recently drove a lot on wet or snow-covered roads, your GOM would likely be showing lower than expected numbers due to the decreased efficiency of roads that are not clear.

 

[RichCapeCod]

I mostly lurk (as I'm not a Bolt owner yet -- Hopefully this Spring...). One of the reasons I'm interested in the Bolt is not because, during mild weather, it has a range of around 240 miles, but rather, because even in crummy, cold weather, the car will have more than enough range to meet my needs.


Rich

 

[fortytwopointtwo]

Exactly - I look at this as a family car that is suitable for day to day driving, and if the conditions and facilities exist, fairly long road-trips. I think if I were to need to drive cross-country, an ICE would be more practical (our second car is now a Volt for this reason). Once Electrify America is really running, I am hopeful that the infrastructure will be sufficient to make those sorts of trips.

 

[One1whaoo.]

I did see 238 on the GOM once, on a mild 76-degree day with normal (for me) driving. 76F is the optimal temperature for the battery, and no ac or heat was in use.
Here in Portland, I'm now seeing 160 on the GOM.

 

[GregBrew]

It's been in the high 40s lately here in So. CA. That's actually pretty chilly for these parts. (I call it "California Cold".) My GOM reports 195mi. of full range. We set the HVAC to 73, turn on the seat and steering wheel heat and just drive it like we stole it. When driven, the GOM creeps up a few miles before it starts dropping...

 

[Vertiformed]

One other thing to note is that rain affects rolling resistance for the tires and reduces range by significant amount. If @Tad in Seattle is experiencing lots of driving through rain, that may also be impacting range.

 

[hatchy]

And why is that?

Because there are some really good gas cars. I was already on the fence about the Bolt living in a warm urban area. The perfect environment for the Bolt. So yes, I would not be driving a Bolt if I lived in a cold area. Obviously some of the folks on the forum have other reason for going with Bolt versus a gas car, other than it just being the best tool for their use scenario. Which, great for them.