“Dynamic Range” Display?

[Ventorum94]

The mysterious GOM number has been the source of much confusion and controversy over Range in our Lightnings. There was probably a focus group long ago that thought they’d settled the matter, but I‘d really like to have another option: Dynamic Range!

Our Lightnings’ GOM Range display (in addition to the mysterious “guessed” range that is the bane of so many on this forum) should have a toggle setting that would display a constantly-updating “dynamic“ range based upon:

Dynamic Range = Instantaneous mi/kWh x kWh remaining in the battery

On highway, monitoring the Dynamic Range (updated on intervals of say, 5sec), you would know immediately how to adjust your driving in order to have enough range to get to the next charger (if you have 57 miles to go, drive so that your “dynamic range” number stays at or above 67mi, or whatever arrival safety factor you can tolerate). You could also immediately know the impact of wind, sudden downpours, climbing elevation, heating the cabin, etc.

Seems like a simple software change, making use of existing data monitored by the vehicle. How about it, Ford? Lightnings could really use a soft-toggle for “Dynamic Range”!

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[Grumpy2]

YES, as a minimum please provide a dynamic instantaneous miles/kWh and I will do the math.

When a head wind suddenly appears, or heavy rain, I want to monitor my consumption so I can make changes to my speed in order to maintain my trip range. On the other hand, I suddenly have a tail wind, I can speed up and still maintain my desired consumption.

 

[Firn]

This is pretty simple math to be honest.

The issue is the Ford GOM uses FAR to long of a time period for its calculations. A simple kalman filter with a 5-10 minute sliding window would be sufficient.

Frankly this is intern level stuff. And until @Ford Motor Company realizes that being realistic rather than optimistic will get more favor with customers we won't see a change. Yes, customers were complaining about range, give them resources to be educated, don't lie to EVERYONE ELSE.

it would be simple to make a dashboard that displays a few rolling metrics (30s average, 10 min average, "lifetime" average, etc). Those displays would be SO immensely helpful for those USING their truck. So, pulling a trailer up a small grade, when the trmp dropped, and a headwind started, sure would be great to see that NOW rather than later. Flipping trivial to show a live display with efficiency as well as hvac energy usage, elevation chage, and for the love of God measure and display WIND SPEED. Heck, my decades old gas cars have that, why does my EV NOT have it.

 

[Ventorum94]

The issue is the Ford GOM uses FAR to long of a time period for its calculations.

And in doing so, it masks the impact of sudden major changes in energy usage, causing an underestimation or overestimation of remaining range. Gives the driver, alternately, a false sense of security or an alarming amount of range anxiety. A “Dynamic Range” would be based upon a time period so short that a driver could immediately become aware that their efficiency has dropped, or conversely, how much lowering their speed by 5mph will extend their range.
Graphs, as you describe, are great for us techies (are you familiar with Tesla’s “Energy” in-car app?), but I think most drivers just want the number, please.

 

[Mach Turtle]

This is pretty simple math to be honest.
...

I agree with you that the math isn't very complex, but I'll bet most customers would still hate it. "Why is this number always changing? What do you mean, it will take ten whole minutes to explain?"

My friend's Tesla 3 has a dynamic range estimate plot that it can show in real time. We both think it's kind of ridiculous as it varies wildly between 75 and 400 miles, for example, looking more like noise than useful data. At least it's buried deep in the menus like other obscure things such as aiming the cabin air vents and flatulence mode.

IMHO, what would be most useful would be:

• A range estimate based on a trip which has been entered into the navigation system plus weather data (surface winds and temperature) in combination with the way the truck has recently been driven (faster or slower than expected)...does ABRP do all this?
• A reading of current mileage, averaged over a short time of around 15 seconds or so, as an option for us nerdy people
• The word "estimated" in appropriate locations
• Some way of delivering customer training that actually works, be it TikTok or YouTube or...I have no idea what people would actually pay attention to

Given that we have options for the display in the center of the IPC, a more sophisticated GOM would be a great option to put there. Hey, FoMoCo, how about it?

 

[Pioneer74]

There should be 2 efficiency numbers. A trip and instantaneous. And the number should read out at least one decimal point. After that, the math is easy.

 

[TaxmanHog]

The issue is the Ford GOM uses FAR to long of a time period for its calculations. A simple kalman filter with a 5-10 minute sliding window would be sufficient.

Just like my old 2012 Power Stroke had........

 

[Newton]

It is actually worse than you think. I have lost 30 miles of estimated range simply by adding a rest area along I-5 to the route. Remove the rest area and the range comes back. The rest area adds maybe 1/4 mile to the trip and is not up a huge mountain incline.

It is just incomprehensible. I mainly look at the state of charge, which is finally on the standard display. Even the SOC is gimped though, there is an internal state of charge that differs from the one that they display - and not in the way that you think that it would. Neither are all that accurate apparently, Ford doesn’t handle the fact that batteries show a higher voltage immediately after a charge than they ”really” have very well. This has led to people running out with a (small) battery percentage still indicated.

Also, they use the external state of charge to diminish the amperage when fast charging - even though internally they show the battery at less than 80% it seems to drop right around 80% indicated. Given how much the indicated and internal states of charge differ this is a poor choice in my opinion, or at least indicates that there is a lot being hidden from the user.

Honestly I think that a lot of people who have range issues with the truck are being fooled by the display, in my experience I have always had more range than indicated - sometimes by a lot. This is not true for all situations apparently based on YouTube reports.

 

[RickLightning]

Just like my old 2012 Power Stroke had........

2013 F-150. You could change the intervals. 5 bars, 5 min(bars were 1 min), 10 min (bars were 2 min), 30 min (bars were 6 min), or last 5 fillups. Updated every 60 seconds.

 

[Newton]

My Kia has a nice little bar under the speedometer that indicates the current and average miles/kWh. It doesn’t have enough divisions or numbers but it is a very nice visual indicator of how your instant driving compares to the average (which can be set up to automatically reset when the car is charged). If you look down and the bar is well under average it makes you think for a moment and possibly slow down if range is a concern.

 

[Maquis]

I just want to disable the GOM altogether.

 

[Cvh8601]

What EV’s really need are a pitot tube so they can understand indicated airspeed. That way the GOM can account for both windowed elevation changes AND airspeed.

Doesn’t Rivian have a live updating plot showing instant mi/kwh and windowed average? +1 for getting that In the lightning.

 

[mb0220]

The simplest solution seems to be a dynamic SoC estimate at your destination, which some folks are already seeing in Google Maps after a recent update. Then adjust your driving to keep that number where you want it.

 

[21st Century Truck]

I just want to disable the GOM altogether.

...electric tape

 

[Maquis]

...electric tape

It moves around too much!

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