EV efficiency, measured in miles per kWh (m/kWh), comes up short in the vast majority of electric vehicles. Most will see between three and four m/kWh, covered in some detail here. And the larger the electric vehicle, the lower the efficiency.
The Kia Niro I am now driving, however, is a summertime efficiency leader.
The image to the right shows a high of 5.6 mi/kWh on what was a very short trip. Below it is a 5.4 mi/kWh benchmark on a 22 mile jaunt. If the industry average is taken to be 3.5 mi/kWh, the 5.4 figure is 54% higher!
Further, its last charge to 90% extrapolated to a range of 303 miles (it charged to 325 miles twice towards the end of summer).
The car is EPA rated for 250 miles.
The car is very sensitive to temperature. Wintertime range numbers hovered in the 230 mile range. The summer numbers more than make up the difference.
In addition, I’ve driven throughout in ECO mode which moves the power curve way, way up requiring a hard accelerator push to get going fast. But its been more than enough for highway ramp entrances, one of the rare times the average driver needs that much power.
The industry has been obsessed with making big, powerful and fast electric vehicles. This unfortunately makes for very, very heavy EVs. The cost is to efficiency.
The Niro is relatively light at 3800 pounds — 800 lbs more than the ICE models — and uses a single motor for front wheel drive. The dual motor Polestar 2 clocked in at 4800 lbs. A Cadillac Lyriq, also dual motor, a friend recently bought comes in at over 6000 lbs!
Front drive two wheel drive used to be the standard for grip in poor weather, but there is a parallel obsession today with all wheel drive. The extra motor can add as much as 300 pounds that needs to be moved. Single motor models where available have the higher range than their dual (or triple!) motor cousins.
If you got along in the snow with front drive in your las gas or diesel powered car, you’ll do jus fine with the same arrangement in an EV. Plus you get10 to 20% more range!
Finally, you’ll never likely face the need for the kind of power most EVs can develop. IMHO, the industry would be well advised to tone it down and gain some range.
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The material on these pages is provided for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 30+ years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s, ME: MS, RPI, NY
The Niro is a summertime EV efficiency champ
EV efficiency, measured in miles per kWh (m/kWh), comes up short in the vast majority of electric vehicles. Most will see between three and four m/kWh, covered in some detail here. And the larger the electric vehicle, the lower the efficiency.
The Kia Niro I am now driving, however, is a summertime efficiency leader.
Further, its last charge to 90% extrapolated to a range of 303 miles (it charged to 325 miles twice towards the end of summer).
The car is EPA rated for 250 miles.
The car is very sensitive to temperature. Wintertime range numbers hovered in the 230 mile range. The summer numbers more than make up the difference.
In addition, I’ve driven throughout in ECO mode which moves the power curve way, way up requiring a hard accelerator push to get going fast. But its been more than enough for highway ramp entrances, one of the rare times the average driver needs that much power.
The industry has been obsessed with making big, powerful and fast electric vehicles. This unfortunately makes for very, very heavy EVs. The cost is to efficiency.
The Niro is relatively light at 3800 pounds — 800 lbs more than the ICE models — and uses a single motor for front wheel drive. The dual motor Polestar 2 clocked in at 4800 lbs. A Cadillac Lyriq, also dual motor, a friend recently bought comes in at over 6000 lbs!
Front drive two wheel drive used to be the standard for grip in poor weather, but there is a parallel obsession today with all wheel drive. The extra motor can add as much as 300 pounds that needs to be moved. Single motor models where available have the higher range than their dual (or triple!) motor cousins.
If you got along in the snow with front drive in your las gas or diesel powered car, you’ll do jus fine with the same arrangement in an EV. Plus you get10 to 20% more range!
Finally, you’ll never likely face the need for the kind of power most EVs can develop. IMHO, the industry would be well advised to tone it down and gain some range.
——————————————————————-
The material on these pages is provided for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
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The author has 30+ years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s, ME: MS, RPI, NY