I don't think it's confusing, it's just that people don't understand that because they never thought about it. Also gas stations are everywhere, so who cares when/if it runs out of gas.

EVs are a new thing just like smart phones or computers were. It takes time to get used to it.

 

Not confusing to everyone. But enough people on FB groups and in forums question why they are seeing lower range estimates, so I thought a few words may help them.

 

With EVs the focus is on range while with ICE vehicles the focus is on miles per gallon of gas. Obviously that is due to EV charging opportunities being far fewer compared to gas stations. I think newer EV drivers would do well to focus more on the miles per kWh and the impact that their driving habits and environmental conditions have on efficiency. Fortunately the I5 provides range, miles/kWh, and SOC info on the instrument cluster. In reality for most daily driving I don't need to pay any closer attention to those than I do in an ICE vehicle.

 

I see a lot of people getting very concerned or confused about the estimated range displayed after a 100% charge.

My previous ICE car's petrol consumption went from 9.6l/100km to 17l/100km, depending on usage. It's estimated range to empty also changed based on usage.

I do not see people stressing over these fuel usage changes which happen in ICE cars. Maybe because a lot of ICE cars do not display the fuel usage or estimated range. So, as I am sure ICE owners are aware, when you fill up an ICE car the range on a full tank will change depending on your usage.

An EV is smarter as it remembers past usage. So, when you charge to 100% the estimated range will change based on that usage history. It will also change as you drive the car after charging. The battery capacity has not changed. For instance, I can leave home with an estimated range of 425km. After travelling on an Expressway at 110/115 Km/H during a 400 km round trip with some city traffic midway, I am lucky to get 365km range and have to do a top up on the way home.

These are some of the items that will impact on the computed estimate range:

• Your driving style
• Previous drive road conditions (average speed, traffic, hills, road surface (rolling resistance) etc)
• Usage of accessories like air conditioning, fan, headlights etc.
• Ambient air temperature
• Load in the car, weight of driver and passengers + any cargo etc. Some of the EV apps actually ask you to add any cargo weight.
• Regen setting
• Drive Mode setting

And many other factors I have probably missed.

I have found that the Drive Mode Setting has a significant impact on estimated range.

As an example, switching from Sport to Eco mode in my HI5 AWD adds around 6.5% to the estimated range. Switching from Normal to Eco adds around 3.2% to estimated range. Or, vice versa decreases estimated range.

These are my car's range estimates from the last two charges for each Mode.

Usage before Charge 1 was local, a lot of short runs of 1 to 3kms. Charge 2 was after a day of driving regional country roads with the highest speed being 105km/hr.

Car is usually in ECO mode, Regen3 and Auto. I select Sports only for overtaking or moving into tricky situations like roundabouts, entering busy roads etc.
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For me panic set in seeing a 60% lower range than maximum. Received the car in middle of winter with temps less than -30 C. I bought the HI5 because of its range and very favourable reviews. Thought I did a lot of research but realize now watching dozens of review videos by auto sites doesn’t constitute research. It didn’t help that when I reserved the car there wasn’t detailed range specs for city and highway. Just promotional info from Hyundai. My ICE cars gave close to specs for city and highway driving with about 20% lower in winter that I Chaulked up to lower octane winter gas, AC to defrost windows and greater resistance of winter tires. So I could understand the mild range drop. I was also used to highway driving having greater range than city. I purchased the car foolishly believing the max range was for highway like my ICE cars. Auto site reviews didn’t explain the reversal in range expectation. After all I don’t really care about city range, it is highway range that matters. Overall, thus panic set in when seeing a massive range drop after spending a good amount of money. Panic has subsided now. I’ve come to terms that long trips won’t happen in winter until real fast level 3 charging is a reality in my region. The range panic should subside as more real world info makes it into the popular review sites and with EPA and Transport Canada range estimates.

 

I have really bad range on my ionic 5 preferred long range AWD 2024, at 100% it says 310 km in the winter. I drive to Ottawa from my place 112km and back in eco and cruise control with heating on passenger only and I am at 2% left when arriving home. So 220km is the maximum distance I was able to drive so far.

 

Range loss is a property of a battery operated vehicle. Many will lose up to 30%

Cold Temperatures Affect an Electric Vehicle's Driving Range - Consumer Reports
New Study Reveals Which EV Models Lose the Least Range in Winter - Vehicle Research - Automotive Fleet
Cold-Weather Testing Shows EV Range Loss of 14% to Much More - Kelley Blue Book
How Temperature Affects Electric Vehicle Range - Consumer Reports
Best EV for Winter & Cold Weather Range » 18,000 Car Study