[Tom Vaughn]

I pick up the 2016 Smart electric car (base model) from the dealer tomorrow. It is about 80 miles from the dealer to my house. The car when charged 100% shows a range of 63 miles. I am planning my route The first part of the trip is on interstate highway. The terrain is flat, temperature in the 70s with no rain and if I do the minimum speed required (55 mph) what kind of range can I expect before I head to find a charging station? Thanks.

 

[rfernatt]

I don't own a smart ED, but have had to think along similar lines with a first gen Nissan Leaf. Regardless of what range you might be able to get depending on conditions (wind direction, temps, heavy rain, etc.), you'll need to identify multiple possible charging opportunities so that you have options in case of interstate accidents, detours, and higher than anticipated consumption due to battery degradation/issues. Use the PlugShare app/site to check out options. You can also look for individuals that share their home charging station and make arrangements if they are conveniently located using PlugShare.

And, air up the tires to max for the lowest rolling resistance for this one way trip at low speeds to maximize range. Skipping the A/C and heat and anything that draws energy of course to also maximize range unless you need it for clearing windows in rain, etc. Rain can affect things with headlights, wipers, more drag, slogging through traffic congestion due to heavy rain, etc. and you can't do anything but be prepared with charging options on low range EVs.

Of course, there is also the option to have it delivered or tow it with another vehicle if you just want to eliminate the variables. But, if you're up for an adventure, then go for it.

 

[sokoloff]

I just did a 150 mile trip in mine a few weeks ago. I did opt for non-interstates and kept my mpg to under 50 mph for the most part. I was good for mid-80's range. For you I'd plan on finding a charging location by 70 miles at least. As for accidents, slow downs, etc., unlike an ICE, that's the best thing can happen to you in an EV. Your range will actually increase.

Len
2014 EV Coupe 19,000 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 13,500 miles

 

[Bob Denman]

Set your trip up with at least one charging source along the way...


... or plan on carrying a REALLY long extension cord!

Good luck!

 

[Tom Vaughn]

Thanks all for the input. I've thought of everything you mentioned, except the tire pressure, so I'll make sure the dealer does that. Also to keep the windows up at higher speeds to reduce drag. I'll be driving through an urban area (Chicago) then into Northwestern Indiana. The ChargePoint map shows lots of stations along my route. I hope to make 40 miles (half way) and then charge. My grandson will be following me in a regular car. While charging we'll take an Uber to a food place.

It's a 80 mile trip so I hope to charge only once.

 

[Bob Denman]

Please let us know how this adventure turns out!

 

[smark]

I pick up the 2016 Smart electric car (base model) from the dealer tomorrow. It is about 80 miles from the dealer to my house. The car when charged 100% shows a range of 63 miles. I am planning my route The first part of the trip is on interstate highway. The terrain is flat, temperature in the 70s with no rain and if I do the minimum speed required (55 mph) what kind of range can I expect before I head to find a charging station? Thanks.

Tom, Have someone follow you, in a pickup truck. Caring a Honda generator.
You should just play safe, and tow your car home.

Good Luck.

 

[Bob Denman]

> Where's your sense of adventure? >

 

[jimsokoloff]

Thanks all for the input. I've thought of everything you mentioned, except the tire pressure, so I'll make sure the dealer does that. Also to keep the windows up at higher speeds to reduce drag. I'll be driving through an urban area (Chicago) then into Northwestern Indiana. The ChargePoint map shows lots of stations along my route. I hope to make 40 miles (half way) and then charge. My grandson will be following me in a regular car. While charging we'll take an Uber to a food place.

Why take an Uber? Why not take the car the grandson is driving?!

Even if the minimum speed is posted as 55 mph (a fairly high speed minimum), you might find that going 50 mph saves time on the trip overall (by allowing you to spend less time charging, perhaps even 0 time charging). If the highway is 3 or more lanes wide, going slowly in the rightmost lane is rarely dangerous and range really falls off over 40 mph as you're pushing a fairly non-aerodynamic shape through the air. If you have a cooperative ICE car, you can also draft that car at a "barely safe" following distance to increase range.

As always, you're always responsible for driving safely, but getting max range from an electric isn't quite as mindless as driving 100 miles in a gas car.

 

[Bob Denman]

:nerd: Drafting...

 

[Tom Vaughn]

I went brain dead. No Uber, the grandson is in the car following me.

 

[rfernatt]

As for accidents, slow downs, etc., unlike an ICE, that's the best thing can happen to you in an EV. Your range will actually increase.

The variable is that it depends on how cold or hot it is at the time you're sitting in traffic and your tolerance vs burning through electrons for heating or cooling and how long you're stopped or creeping along at 5 mph, but I agree that congestion that just slows the speed of traffic down from interstate speed will help extend range since it will be more like city street speed at that point.

For me, if it's 95 degrees with 80% humidity while I'm sitting in traffic going nowhere, that AC is going to have to be running! Fortunately, the AC is not nearly as bad as the heater for gobbling up the battery.

 

[rfernatt]

If you have a cooperative ICE car, you can also draft that car at a "barely safe" following distance to increase range.

I've done this with the Leaf following our Nissan SUV to maximize the range. You're right, it can certainly help, but everyone has to be paying attention!

 

[Bob Denman]

I agree... It's not for the timid!

 

[Yinzer]

That range indication is somewhat conservative - and stays conservative until the very end. At a steady 50-55 mph, level terrain and warm weather, you can probably jsut make 80 miles without charging. The ideal would be to find a contingency charging station at the 60 mile point. Check plugshare.com and the station user reports to verify the charging station is operational. Don't worry about going into that red zone in the lower 20% SOC and the resultant warnings. Reserve the worrying for 5% SOC indication and lower.

"Hyper-mileing" tip: The most important thing is a steady right foot - watch the power gauge. I rest my right foot against the footwell wall next to the pedal to maintain a steady throttle (like a boat or airplane) through bumps and vibrations. I do this when driving any car, not just the ED.

 

[Bob Denman]

I agree: always drive as if you've got a raw egg in your boot... 0

 

[InjuredAgain]

I once had about 85 miles of driving that included around 75 miles of freeway driving in three stops. I didn't have access to another car so I had to take the smart. I scoped out some charging stations at around the 60 mile mark but it would have been a significant inconvenience as there were some time dependencies.

I drove at a steady true 60 MPH (indicated 63) minimum and drafted as much as possible about 3 carlengths back. Any time a car passed to my left, I'd hug the left side lane markers to catch the most I could from that draft. I tried hard to minimize regen and coasted into stops and stoplights probably a little slower than traffic behind me would have liked. I tried to never go to 50% on the output meter and think i did that except for a few seconds here and there to maintain a tight drafting distance on the freeway.

I managed to complete the trip on one charge. I think it was 86 miles and I had somewhere around 3% when I rolled into the garage. Once I was within about 10 miles from finishing, I knew I would make it but I was sweating bullets up to that point, both from being nervous and from not using the AC.

 

[Tom Vaughn]

Pee Wee's Big Adventure is over. It went very well. I left the Chicago area dealer and since I didn't know the car went about 30 mph. I had set the map program on my iPhone to "no tolls" & "no highway". The destination was a charge station about half way to home. Found the charge station with no trouble. We went and had lunch. Car was at about 64% and when we got back it was very close to 100%. The car had about 80 minutes of charge time. Drove the next 20 miles at 35/40 mpg and the last 20 at 55 mph. When we got home the car was at about 43% My ECO score for the whole trip was 100%

Bottom line: I am well pleased with the car's performance. Only minor complaints are that the car has a hard ride and the seat could use more cushioning.

 

[Jeb Baker]

Yeah, did the same trip from Dealership to home, about 60 miles, last month. Scoped out a charge station halfway on the way down, charged there on the way back in newly purchased Smart.

Was able to have lunch at a Restaurant with an outdoor patio, so wife and dog were happy.

Worried the whole time that the charge failed, (the app had conflicting messages) but got back and found the car at near 100% charged.

Then drove the rest of the way home (with a/c on!) whew.

In retrospec I could of made it home without stopping.

But since then my wife thinks this is great, we can go out to eat now that I want to stop for a free recharge!

The car is costing more in meals than it saves in electricity!

 

[rfernatt]

Pee Wee's Big Adventure is over. It went very well. I left the Chicago area dealer and since I didn't know the car went about 30 mph. I had set the map program on my iPhone to "no tolls" & "no highway". The destination was a charge station about half way to home. Found the charge station with no trouble. We went and had lunch. Car was at about 64% and when we got back it was very close to 100%. The car had about 80 minutes of charge time. Drove the next 20 miles at 35/40 mpg and the last 20 at 55 mph. When we got home the car was at about 43% My ECO score for the whole trip was 100%

Bottom line: I am well pleased with the car's performance. Only minor complaints are that the car has a hard ride and the seat could use more cushioning.

Awesome! You can really maximize the range off the interstate Enjoy the new EV!