🔋 The Extended Battery Decision (Poll: Which battery option suits you best?)

[RetiredOnPaper]

Many years ago when I did the deep-dive into EVs and continuing to today, weight affects range far less than wind resistance (drag). It is my wish that there was some other way to measure range. A battery less than one year old is not the same as one that is 2 to 5 years old or one that is 7+ years. Now some of this is based on my Tesla and me thinks that the updates monkey with the range estimates. (Nearly every weekend I drive the same 98 mile route, summer and winter. Somehow regardless of what the range is for 100% charge, the trip "costs" me the same amount of range at a given temperature.) I have learned, plug in, charge up, don't worry, be happy!

 

[AZFox]

Now some of this is based on my Tesla and me thinks that the updates monkey with the range estimates.

I wouldn't be surprised if some range was held in reserve and the indicated range is gradually adjusted with firmware updates.

Made-up Example:
New: 100% indicated is 95% actual
Later: 100% indicated is 97% actual (after actual has diminished)

Keeping maximum range artificially more consistent would help reduce disappointment about losing range over time and provide a more satisfying ownership experience.

 

[Daemoch]

I remember reading from multiple sources that Tesla holds back some cells for thermal and wear leveling purposes. IIRC, the overdive speed boost or whatever they call it allows you to access all available cells for a very short moment - something like 10 seconds.

 

[AZFox]

I remember reading from multiple sources that Tesla holds back some cells for thermal and wear leveling purposes.

Interesting. That's slightly different that what I was thinking.

Similarly, hard drives (and other storage media) have "reserved sectors" that can get mapped in as a replacement if a sector fails.

 

[Daemoch]

Similarly, hard drives (and other storage media) have "reserved sectors" that can get mapped in as a replacement if a sector fails.

Yup, 100%. Almost all the SSD type technology has something to that degree, usually even more so. Thats the industry I spend most my time working in.

 

[atreis]

I remember reading from multiple sources that Tesla holds back some cells for thermal and wear leveling purposes.

Most manufacturers do. My car (Nissan Ariya) has a 90 kWh pack, with 87 kWh usable. Hyundai/Kia are similar. Most don't let you access that extra capacity though.

 

[AZFox]

I remember during a hurricane Tesla flashed more capacity to cars in the area.

Found it. Hurricane Irma in 2017. They added 30-40 more miles to the range with the update.

 

[KevinRS]

In part that "reserve capacity" is so they can keep giving you the same range years down the road. Cell phone manufacturers are starting to do similar,