Low power mode

[skidoofast]

It would be beneficial to have a lo power mode - obviously not for infotainment or displays but for climate control and driving modes to extend battery range

 

[Luxrage]

I don't know if there will be much to turn off. Low power mode in a Slate will be driving around with the AC off and the windows down... Assuming the 'heater' only comes on when you have it cranked towards heat, we need a fresh-air only mode. That's all I can think of for cutting power. LED headlights and things hardly use any power for the DRLs I assume it'll have.

Everything else that stays 'on' in a Slate I assume is either required to run the truck, or required by the Feds. Backup camera, battery cooling system, etc. Unless Slate wants to offer an analog gauge package...

No heat, no AC, just 'vent' for ultimate power savings.

 

[KevinRS]

I don't know, that might not even apply to slate. Turn the AC off manually, don't roll down the windows, drag will consume more than AC unless you are at low speed. Driving modes? Don't think slate is going to have anything like sport and eco modes.
Many here would probably oppose it as a "nanny mode"

 

[skidoofast]

Probably correct, the battery gauge might be enough to remind you to drive smart

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

Nanny mode is right! My Model 3 gets me there and rare are the times I've had to sweat it. I refuse to adjust my comfort and have adjusted my thinking. Outside temp 65F and above, range est is nearly spot on. Below that figure roughly -5 miles stated range for each 10 degrees F. Note; mine is the older Model 3 with the less efficient temp management. Also Slate uses pouch batteries which may behave differently.

 

[atreis]

My car (Nissan Ariya) goes into turtle mode once the battery gets to 0%. It has an additional range below that. Once in that mode it turns off climate control and reduces power. The power further reduces as one continues on. I think this is fairly standard.

FWIW, I have 40K miles on my car and have never hit turtle mode. I do 4-5 trips a year that are over 1K miles.

As for a "low power mode" that works all the time, just turn off climate control and don't accelerate too quickly.... There's really no need for a special mode for that.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

Slightly OT;
The choice, 150 mile battery V 240 mile battery (80% charge = 120 Mi and 192 Mi)
150 pro price, lighter curb weight=easier on the tires
con where will the range be in a few years, in the winter? 8% loss with age =12 miles or 138 miles 0F winter -40 miles(per 100) = 98 miles (68 miles if you only charge to 80%)
240 pro even assuming 8% loss (19.2 miles say 20) leaves you with 220 miles on a cold withers day 0F -40 miles (cold battery and your blasting the heater) You still have 180 miles to drive with. (132 miles with the 80% rule)
con price (?), extra weight (might be a plus in the snow.)

One more thought, adding a plug in warmer pad to the battery pack? I use this on my LFP golf cart in winter. It only comes on if below 40F and very affordable. However Slate may already have battery temp management.

 

[KevinRS]

Really, the main thing that is in your control on range is going to be driving habits. The faster you go, the lower the range, and it's not linear, it's worse than linear. It is also going to be worse with a boxy truck than the optimized aerodynamics of most other EVs.
Compared to speed, running AC or having a phone or tablet screen running are going to be minor. If the range ever looks like it's not going to quite get you to a charger, drop 10 mph.

 

[FunkyFinch57]

Assuming the 'heater' only comes on when you have it cranked towards heat, we need a fresh-air only mode. That's all I can think of for cutting power. LED headlights and things hardly use any power for the DRLs I assume it'll have.

No heat, no AC, just 'vent' for ultimate power savings.

If I recall correctly, the three A/C control knobs in the Slate Maker have central push buttons for “A/C on,” “Heat on,” and the ‘air recycler’ function. I would assume it’s possible to have it in a state of both A/C and heat off for the “vent” functionality? I would assume that “venting” the air would save a ton of energy.

 

[Luxrage]

If I recall correctly, the three A/C control knobs in the Slate Maker have central push buttons for “A/C on,” “Heat on,” and the ‘air recycler’ function. I would assume it’s possible to have it in a state of both A/C and heat off for the “vent” functionality? I would assume that “venting” the air would save a ton of energy.

Right you are, dug around the forums for a decent interior shot and found one that's hard to read but clearly has PUSH | AC and PUSH | HEAT

also out of curiosity I was looking up what analog instrument clusters for EVs look like, quite the variety:
2011 Th!nk City

1980 Vanguard Comuta Car

 

[AZFox]

Really, the main thing that is in your control on range is going to be driving habits. The faster you go, the lower the range, and it's not linear, it's worse than linear. It is also going to be worse with a boxy truck than the optimized aerodynamics of most other EVs.

Drag increases with the square of speed.

This means doubling speed creates four times the amount of drag.

This physics factoid doesn't bode well for the Truck's range at freeway speeds, unfortunately.

 

[OldGoat]

I refuse to adjust my comfort and have adjusted my thinking.
[/QUOTE]
Gary, I love that line! Gonna use it plenty. Where do I send the royalty check?

 

[KevinRS]

People may just have to adjust their freeway speed expectations. The highest speed limit in the country is 85, most states limit it to 70 or less, and Semis and similar are usually limited to 55. Keeping under the limit will make a big difference in range, and though I'm in an area where lots of people speed, and people claim that driving at the speed limit will get you driven off the road, I've noticed that driving fast without paying attention to speed, vs driving at the limit or even a bit below, makes little difference in time to arrival, and you really don't get run off the road, there are still plenty of people going slower. Those people you see pass you at 15 over the limit, you often catch up with at the off ramp anyway. If you dropped to the 55 limit that heavy vehicles are supposed to drive at, you would have a significant range increase.

 

[sodamo]

I guess we all go thru various stages, age, location, reason for driving, etc. I’ve had my times of 75+ (not admitting to anything more). Man, that MB S500 was sweet on the interstate. Now, here, living on an island where 80 is a major infraction (reckless driving, driving to endanger), poking along at 55 +/-is perfectly fine and I arrive at my destination in a timely manner. Always have to chuckle when on my 20 mile drive to town someone insists on flying past only to be 2 cars in front of me at the light in town.

Lately, I found a new game. My Tundra is a hybrid. There are times when the tach goes to zero and I guess the electric takes over. My challenge is how long can I maintain traffic without tach going up. Might need new games for my Slate.

 

[KevinRS]

It's a lot easier now with GPS navigation apps estimating your arrival time to test how your target speed affects your arrival time. Make your trip as normal, and see how your arrival time compares to what the app estimated, then do it when you are in a hurry and pushing the speed, and do it being careful to keep under the speed limits. The change in arrival time for most trips is tiny. Top speed differences of 15 mph get swamped out by bad luck hitting a couple of red lights.