ElectricShitbox
Member
I got by with 18kwh for a few years, before the pack in my spark started to fail. I'm quite comfortable with a 53kwh pack in the Slate, lol. That is really the far low end of what I would want for this type of vehicle though.
I am tempted by the 84kwh battery despite the added cost and weight for a couple reasons though.
First being longevity due to cycles. My spark's tiny battery got cycled hard because I was daily using most of the range. With home charging and 53kwh, this isn't too bad, but it's basically a non-issue with 84kwh.
Second reason is voltage. I saw somewhere that both packs use the same modules, 5 for standard 8 for extended. So presumably the extended pack operates at a higher voltage, which explains why both packs list the same 20-80% charging times. The amperage limit is probably the same. Getting more range in the same amount of time means the big battery will road trip better, not that either is a cannonball record contender.
Third is to support a potential future front motor. With the additional power demand and loss of efficiency from a second motor, that small battery starts to become a limiting factor. I wouldn't be surprised if a theoretical future dual motor conversion would require the big pack.
For the record, my ideal battery would be 60-70kwh and LFP. Highest voltage that is practical.
I am tempted by the 84kwh battery despite the added cost and weight for a couple reasons though.
First being longevity due to cycles. My spark's tiny battery got cycled hard because I was daily using most of the range. With home charging and 53kwh, this isn't too bad, but it's basically a non-issue with 84kwh.
Second reason is voltage. I saw somewhere that both packs use the same modules, 5 for standard 8 for extended. So presumably the extended pack operates at a higher voltage, which explains why both packs list the same 20-80% charging times. The amperage limit is probably the same. Getting more range in the same amount of time means the big battery will road trip better, not that either is a cannonball record contender.
Third is to support a potential future front motor. With the additional power demand and loss of efficiency from a second motor, that small battery starts to become a limiting factor. I wouldn't be surprised if a theoretical future dual motor conversion would require the big pack.
For the record, my ideal battery would be 60-70kwh and LFP. Highest voltage that is practical.
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