We need a snow driving mode

[Peddyr]

Lived in New England all my life, and in my opinion, driving in the snow is more dependant on the driver's skill level than the vehicle itself. The Lightning with AWD and weight is easily the best vehicle I've ever driven in the snow or slippery conditions. That said, giving those who need additional assistance, the snow option if they want to pay for it isn't the worst idea I've ever heard. It's just not for me.

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[Grease Lightning]

Serious question, what does eco-mode do? It's my understanding there isn't significant efficiency loss from accelerating quickly in EVs.

In my previous Escape, the Ioniq, my 2017 “e-assist” Silverado, and multiple Prii the eco mode went beyond throttle response, but also adjusted how responsive climate controls reacted. So like on a freeway drive once warm/cool and up to speed, if you entered eco mode it would slow down elements such as the a/c to make it say “a/c lite” and reduce the amount of energy used.

Then as you as mentioned the throttle response was different so you conserve energy. Such at rapid acceleration, yes does cost you energy. “Significant” is subjective but the extra energy is quantifiable and easy to view through Carscanner. My M3 and its consumption graphs do a great job of showing you the impacts of a heavier foot. So if you are more of a hypermiler type driver, it is of great benefit.

 

[Firn]

Then as you as mentioned the throttle response was different so you conserve energy. Such at rapid acceleration, yes does cost you energy. “Significant” is subjective but the extra energy is quantifiable and easy to view through Carscanner. My M3 and its consumption graphs do a great job of showing you the impacts of a heavier foot. So if you are more of a hypermiler type driver, it is of great benefit.

The big thing here though is that and EV drivetrain doesn't really change efficiency when pressed hard, and ICE drivetrain does greatly.

Although when accelerating hard you use more current, you do so for a shorter period of time, and hence the energy consumed isn't really much different that having lower current for a longer period of time.

In an ICE engine it is different, high load but low RPM (accelerating slowly) is much more efficient than high load but high RPM.

Point being, accelerating hard in an EV doesn't really cost you much "extra energy", you just consume at a higher rate for a shorter period. That is different than an ice engine since it changes efficiency.

 

[daveross1212]

The big thing here though is that and EV drivetrain doesn't really change efficiency when pressed hard, and ICE drivetrain does greatly.

Although when accelerating hard you use more current, you do so for a shorter period of time, and hence the energy consumed isn't really much different that having lower current for a longer period of time.

In an ICE engine it is different, high load but low RPM (accelerating slowly) is much more efficient than high load but high RPM.

Point being, accelerating hard in an EV doesn't really cost you much "extra energy", you just consume at a higher rate for a shorter period. That is different than an ice engine since it changes efficiency.

also worth adding that some recent research is showing that hard acceleration is actually good for battery longevity (also the opposite of ICE)!

 

[Adventureboy]

also worth adding that some recent research is showing that hard acceleration is actually good for battery longevity (also the opposite of ICE)!

I'm testing this theory. No babying here - Got it and will use it. My SOH is 100% after 2 years and 30,000mi.

 

[Henry Ford]

The big thing here though is that and EV drivetrain doesn't really change efficiency when pressed hard, and ICE drivetrain does greatly.

Although when accelerating hard you use more current, you do so for a shorter period of time, and hence the energy consumed isn't really much different that having lower current for a longer period of time.

In an ICE engine it is different, high load but low RPM (accelerating slowly) is much more efficient than high load but high RPM.

Point being, accelerating hard in an EV doesn't really cost you much "extra energy", you just consume at a higher rate for a shorter period. That is different than an ice engine since it changes efficiency.

This is my understanding. I'm no expert but I don't see where you could lose efficiency by accelerating hard except for wheel spin. Heat loss? Not really.

ICE is a whole other animal. They are most efficient at a certain RPM and load and any variation from that hurts efficiency. There's probably drivetrain efficiency loss due to shifting too but that's beyond my grasp.

 

[farmtruck]

Serious question, what does eco-mode do? It's my understanding there isn't significant efficiency loss from accelerating quickly in EVs.

What I could see is eco-mode disconnecting a wheel motor if the load is low enough to allow it.

 

[Grease Lightning]

EV drivetrain doesn't really change efficiency when pressed hard

That would be true in our Lightnings, but that is not true in all EV, so word of caution for more definitive type generalizations.

There are EV that can decouple the front and rear drive train after the needed acceleration has been completed and the needed energy to maintain a speed. So in those types of EVs, yes an “eco” mode does provide acceleration savings while only having those two or more big motors spinning when you hammer it. Similar to how a hybrid/PHEV can force the ICE element on at certain loads, but a gentle throttle can keep it in EV mode.

much "extra energy"

Again “much” and “extra” are subjective to the user. As your statement notes, it does use extra energy and the quantitative aspect varies by duration of time, conditions, frequency, and such. If I am getting on a freeway entrance and going straight down a flat road with no wind, sure little impact. If I am in the town jackrabbit starts or on a two lane highway constantly passing people by “haul’n ballz”, then again a lot more impact.

But I also love my Lightning’s efficiency over 20k is 2.4-2.5 m/kWh average so I would always take the option to control my tech rather then the tech controlling me.

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