Winter prep: How do you keep range loss under control? ❄️

[electruck4x4]

Cold weather and EVs don’t always mix well.

Do you pre-heat before leaving? Use insulation hacks? Just pack extra layers and minimize climate control?

We’d love to hear what’s worked for your R1 in freezing conditions.

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[Dave Cundiff]

I charge adequately; dress warmly; use local heat of seat and steering wheel; and adjust my range expectations.

Best wishes!

 

[Cascadian]

I use climate scheduling to have the cabin and battery warmed up before a trip.

 

[Nixapatfan]

Nothing just pretend you are driving a full size ICE truck and deal with poor efficiency. The more annoying part is the range it loses just sitting there.

 

[zefram47]

Set the cabin preconditioning for your estimated time of departure. Additionally, I start playing games with the charging schedule to finish charging maybe 30 min before my departure time to keep the battery as warm as possible. It's mind-blowing that Rivian hasn't added a charge for departure feature yet. My MINI had it and it's super easy to calculate estimated kWh to the target charge SoC and divide that by the charge rate available with the plugged-in charger. Beyond that, set the climate to the lowest temperature you feel comfortable and wear a long-sleeve or something to allow setting it lower. IIRC, around 65F on the HVAC was comfortable on road trips for me and then use the seat and wheel heat too.

 

[1stPlace]

Since battery degradation is less of a concern at high percentage SoC in cold vs. hot, I more often switch to 90% from 80% as my standard "custom" charge level when it gets cold.

Also, based on my tests last Winter, the current software seems to pre-condition the battery when you schedule (not just turn on) climate pre-condition while plugged in AND if that draws enough power to fall below your set charge level. So sometimes I will set my charge level an extra 5 or 10% above in the morning to force battery pre-conditioning and still avoid very much time in the 95%+ area.

 

[technerd]

Additionally, I start playing games with the charging schedule to finish charging maybe 30 min before my departure time to keep the battery as warm as possible. It's mind-blowing that Rivian hasn't added a charge for departure feature yet.

I do this too, or if I don't need to charge much, I'll just set a charge schedule to start at 5am and it gets a few hours to warm up. I generally don't leave it plugged in at home as I charge mostly at work, but in the winter I tend to just leave it plugged in most of the time.

 

[1stPlace]

Though I'm sure a scheduled departure feature would be slightly more energy efficient for starting the day with a well-heated battery, I have rarely found that 48A AC charging heats up my R1S battery the same amount that scheduled pre-conditioning will do, in below freezing temperatures. I believe from my experience while AC charging, it will heat the battery to ~35degF. However, when I schedule pre-condition, it will be sure to bring it above 50degF. Keep in mind, this is also different from the manual pre-condition option for charging, which actually sends the battery to an even higher temperature, ~70degF if I remember somewhat correctly.

If you are trying to maximize range from the start without wasting energy, schedule climate pre-condition and increase set charge level.

If you are trying to maximize range while driving for Winter, it is almost the same as any other time:
-drive slower and in a generally less aggressive manner (first world Rivian owner problem)
-turn down/off the A/C or heat, use seat warmers as substitute
-keep windows up for aerodynamics
-don't use the power outlets for extra stuff

You can likely also save a few miles and minimize battery drain while the vehicle is standing or parked, by locking vehicle and not checking the app like its a social media addiction, to keep the Rivian in sleep mode.

 

[Budman]

Just understand the loss in efficiency vs temperature and plan accordingly.
I’ve been keeping track for 3 years, my observed percent loss in efficiency vs temperature is shown below. This is for a long trip. Short trips will be worse.

 

[Dark-Fx]

I drive faster so more of the loss is attributed to aerodynamic inefficiencies than cold temperatures.

 

[Supratachophobia]

I use climate scheduling to have the cabin and battery warmed up before a trip.

What is the process/steps for this now?

 

[beatle]

I don't really do anything different in the cold. Preconditioning the cabin is nice, but I do it for comfort, not for range.

 

[Cascadian]

What is the process/steps for this now?

In the phone app select Climate.

Scroll down to Schedule box and create.

Lots of good advice above.

 

[Atomic]

Just understand the loss in efficiency vs temperature and plan accordingly.

This man brought charts. I love folks like you. End thread (just playing, I like the discussion).

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