[jefro]

Should I chance a drive from EA San Antonio to Padre Island Corpus Christi with the 80% software limit? The slowest route is still pretty fast, maybe I can get half at 63-65 mph. Some one lane areas I'd get run over under 70.
It's about 178 miles and could have headwind. A few places there have DC but almost no 24 hour chargers yet.
What do you folks get on a highway only run?

 

[Voldar]

What is your average right now and what is your projected range ?
80% x 66 kWh = 52.80 kWh available. To be safe, we will consider 15% battery at the destination. This means you have to work with 44.88 kWh. So, if you have to drive 178 miles, your average on the DIC should be 3.96 mi/kWh. Forget about it at speeds above 60 mph. Only if you drive at 50 mph or less you'd be able to achieve this average.

 

[SGW]

What is your average right now and what is your projected range ?
80% x 66 kWh = 52.80 kWh available. To be safe, we will consider 15% battery at the destination. This means you have to work with 44.88 kWh. So, if you have to drive 178 miles, your average on the DIC should be 3.96 mi/kWh. Forget about it at speeds above 60 mph. Only if you drive at 50 mph or less you'd be able to achieve this average.

15% buffer? Where’s your sense of adventure?😀 I think ~4 miles/kWh is doable at 60 mph if you aren’t using HVAC (at least not heat) and modest terrain. I just make sure the dash is in detailed mode and watch to make sure that my instantaneous use is hovering around 15 kW.

My comfort level with such a trip would likely hinge on whether there are any L2 chargers near my destination that I could get a few kWh from if it’s getting dire.

 

[EVPOWA]

Do you have a 66kWh battery?

 

[CharleyTX]

considering it was 93 degress today in Austin, it is a maybe because you may also get headwind a lot. but you may not be able to use your AC and can't rolldown your windows= aero drag

 

[krkobel]

Looking at Plugshare, there are L2 chargers heading into CC, mostly at hotels. Also, there is a 650' elevation drop and no mountains or hills to navigate. I think that you'd be fine and if there's a headwind, you could always draft a nice bus or semi.

 

[CJIMI]

I have done 270 miles on a full charge ( 2020 Bolt 66kWh battery - no charge limits ). Can you ask the dealer to re-set the limit to 90% ?

 

[Inteliquest]

What is your average right now and what is your projected range ?
80% x 66 kWh = 52.80 kWh available. To be safe, we will consider 15% battery at the destination. This means you have to work with 44.88 kWh. So, if you have to drive 178 miles, your average on the DIC should be 3.96 mi/kWh. Forget about it at speeds above 60 mph. Only if you drive at 50 mph or less you'd be able to achieve this average.

I have to go with Voldar on this one.... going 65+ will suck out too much juice.... 60 would be a close one at that speed. You have to have a pump up somewhere or forget about it.

 

[Inteliquest]

I have to go with Voldar on this one.... going 65+ will suck out too much juice.... 60 would be a close one at that speed. You have to have a pump up somewhere or forget about it.

or if it is all down hill.... then you could do it.... LOL

 

[jefro]

Thanks for the replies.

It's a 2020, should have mentioned that.
Showing 4.4 on 60 mile trip to work and back each day at max 63 mph.
I would have to return uphill a bit.
No way I'd get there without AC set to some small amount.
I-37 runs slow lane 70-80 fast lane 80-90 mph.
I tried the farm roads and they were 65 and 70 mph going there.
Maybe on a weekday I could poke along at 60??
Dang it, now I wish I didn't get the software update.
Haven't heard anyone able to update to 90% yet.
There is a perfect Tesla super charger at key spot.
Almost no easy emergency locations on way. Dang.

 

[Inteliquest]

Thanks for the replies.

It's a 2020, should have mentioned that.
I would have to return uphill a bit.
No way I'd get there without AC set to some small amount.
I tried the farm roads and they were 65 and 70 mph going there.
Maybe on a weekday I could poke along at 60??
Dang it, now I wish I didn't get the software update.

Yea... that update seriously curbed my adventuring.... and I did not want it.... anyway... I am getting about 4.3 average now, but I refuse to go above 65 mph, so that is why...

 

[Willie]

I have done 270 miles on a full charge ( 2020 Bolt 66kWh battery - no charge limits ). Can you ask the dealer to re-set the limit to 90% ?

If they've got the 80% from the recall software, no dealer is going to override it, even if they could.

 

[jefro]

You folks have confirmed my fears. Just too close to call unless retired and nothing to do but poke along. Guess I'll call this solved and pour in $150 in gas for truck.
Thanks.

 

[CharleyTX]

isn't there a tesla to non-tesla converting gizmo plug? so you can utilize a tesla charge station.

 

[TimSFL]

PlugShare does have some home L2 chargers you could use in a pinch. But you would need to call ahead. I’ve never done this but consider it a few weeks ago when I went to Everglades city.
A 24 hrs DCFC is still the best option

or stay the night at one of the hotels with L2. There are a bunch

 

[Voldar]

15% buffer? Where’s your sense of adventure?😀 I think ~4 miles/kWh is doable at 60 mph if you aren’t using HVAC (at least not heat) and modest terrain. I just make sure the dash is in detailed mode and watch to make sure that my instantaneous use is hovering around 15 kW.

My comfort level with such a trip would likely hinge on whether there are any L2 chargers near my destination that I could get a few kWh from if it’s getting dire.

I would do it, but from what I’ve seen around here, people don’t like to see a blinking orange line in the DIC. I know what I need to do to make it there, but I have no idea about what the OP experience is in respect of driving the Bolt EV over it’s posted range.

P.S. I just checked now on ABRP and I saw there is a 37% difference in elevation between the two. If it would be fine to go about around 95 km/h = 60 mph and make it, the return definitely would need to be done at 55 mph or less.

Hint: drive at the end of the day or early in the morning, boost the tires to 41 psi and keep it slow If you want to do it anyway.

 

[gbeddow]

isn't there a tesla to non-tesla converting gizmo plug? so you can utilize a tesla charge station.

There is (I have one), but it only works for Tesla Destination Chargers, not Tesla Superchargers.

 

[jefro]

One of the first things I bought was the adapter but sadly it currently won't work on the AC output Tesla Superchargers...... even if I could authenticate.

There is a free L2 Southeast of San Antonio. Considered DC at the EA station and top off 40 miles later but at 20 miles per hour it makes a very long trip that is already long.

Wish more restaurants had chargers. That way I could reason a longer stop.

 

[Packard V8]

I am getting about 4.3 average now, but I refuse to go above 65 mph, so that is why...

Since all our use is local, we run 70-75 the rare times when on the freeway, use full HVAC as needed in six months of winter and our five year average is dead on the 3.5 predicted.

jack vines

 

[Colt Hero]

Wow! I was expecting to see replies like ... "what's the big deal? Leave home with a full charge then re-charge once on the road at around 100 miles". Why isn't it that easy? No good DCFC options on the way ... only L2? If so, then why isn't it just one overnight stay?

I didn't buy a Bolt last year because it couldn't replace the full functionality of my #1 vehicle, but I didn't think 173 miles would be a problem with it. In fact, I was trying to convince a co-worker with a 144-mile round trip work commute to buy a Bolt. Did all the math for him, but he still went with a brand new VW Golf.