R2 Highway Efficiency Test: 80 MPH vs 70 MPH Changed Everything

[gecko10x]

There's no way I've ever averaged 80mph for any length of time, so this whole high-speed debate seems silly to me.

It will be interesting to move from an extremely efficient RWD Model 3. While I don't normally pay much attention, I drove to the airport and back yesterday (about 30min each way) and got >5mi/kWh. Combined city/hwy, max speed 64mph.

Sponsored

 

[iamnid]

80mph is not illegal on certain roads across the country.

To be fair, it looks like the poster who questioned the legality of 80mph is from Canada. The fastest speed limit in Canada is 120km/h which is about 75m/h.

 

[iamnid]

There's no way I've ever averaged 80mph for any length of time, so this whole high-speed debate seems silly to me.

It will be interesting to move from an extremely efficient RWD Model 3. While I don't normally pay much attention, I drove to the airport and back yesterday (about 30min each way) and got >5mi/kWh. Combined city/hwy, max speed 64mph.

I've experienced that people drive much slower in the PNW. There are many stretches of roadway where the flow of traffic is 80+m/h. For example, the stretch of the 15 between LA and Las Vegas -- nobody goes less than 70m/h and the flow is usually 80+

Conversely, when driving up the 5 from LA to Canada, the flow is 80+ through most of California and then drops considerably once you reach Oregon due to lower speed limits and, generally, people driving slower.

 

[bobdod]

I70 through a good chunk of Utah is 80mph...and you'll generally get passed if you're doing 80. Not aggressively, but still.

 

[gecko10x]

I've experienced that people drive much slower in the PNW. There are many stretches of roadway where the flow of traffic is 80+m/h. For example, the stretch of the 15 between LA and Las Vegas -- nobody goes less than 70m/h and the flow is usually 80+

Yes, that does seem true. We've only been in the PNW/INW for a few years; in the past, we would frequently drive from WV to MN (~1000mi), and have done many other long drives, but mostly in the midwest where I think the max speed limit is 75mph, and in many cases 70mph.

 

[Millbarge]

Not necessarily. Lots of folks on here buying their first ever EVs may not. ICE cars are so inefficient that you don't really notice the efficiency hit for going a bit faster.

sure you do

 

[Qamera]

Personally, I'm not in it for speed - I'll jump onto an airplane for that. I prefer to drive on two-lane highways with less traffic and much better views. So my average speed is 65-70, which also helps because the distances between charging stations increase when you are off the Interstates.

That said, the info in this post is great.

 

[Millbarge]

There's no way I've ever averaged 80mph for any length of time,

So I guess you've never driven on the Pennsylvania Turnpike? Posted speed limit is 70 in most places, and much of it runs through rural areas. I generally set the cruise to 78 or 79, and get passed all the time. Plenty of similar highways across the country.

 

[Apprunner]

The EPA should test the fastest legal limit in the US which is 85mph. Of course, I feel its safer to drive at 80mph going from so-cal to nor-cal on the I-5 freeway because anything under causes the crazies to road rage.

 

[Universe93B]

I wish EVs did better at higher speeds. I do a lot of highway driving and going 75-80 mph is the norm on the roads I drive on. And yes, it’s constant speed at 75-80mph - there is no slowing down repeatedly.

 

[gecko10x]

So I guess you've never driven on the Pennsylvania Turnpike? Posted speed limit is 70 in most places, and much of it runs through rural areas. I generally set the cruise to 78 or 79, and get passed all the time. Plenty of similar highways across the country.

A few times, but not a lot. I will generally only do +5 over the limit, and on rare occasions +8. So, perhaps there if the traffic was really moving I'd set to 78... but that in no way means I'm averaging 80mph for any significant stretch... I would say the only time I spent any significant time over 75mph would be driving across Wyoming or Montana where the posted limit is 75 (or 80?) and there's very little traffic.

TBH, I don't generally enjoy driving that fast because I feel it requires a good bit more effort/concentration and leaves me feeling tired.

 

[Jeremy3292]

I wish EVs did better at higher speeds. I do a lot of highway driving and going 75-80 mph is the norm on the roads I drive on. And yes, it’s constant speed at 75-80mph - there is no slowing down repeatedly.

In Raleigh? They have as much traffic as Atlanta and I-85 is trafficky lol.

 

[Universe93B]

I wish EVs did better at higher speeds. I do a lot of highway driving and going 75-80 mph is the norm on the roads I drive on. And yes, it’s constant speed at 75-80mph - there is no slowing down repeatedly.

North of Raleigh, going from Durham to South Hill, VA - very nice speeds constantly around 80 mph continuous until you get to Richmond.

 

[Jeremy3292]

North of Raleigh, going from Durham to South Hill, VA - very nice speeds constantly around 80 mph continuous until you get to Richmond.

Yes, but that is only ~75 miles to South Hill. To Petersburg it's ~125 miles where I-85 ends and it slows down before that anyways. R2 has a 250-300 mile range. So the point was no one is averaging 80 mph straight for that long unless they're on a desert trek out west or something. Averaging 70 mph is far more likely, which is why a 70 mph range test is key and applicable to everyone's real world use.

Sponsored