All Season Tires (Pirelli Scorpion AS) + 20" Inch Core Wheels + Wheel Covers Are Here! -- My Real World Range / Consumption Data 📊

[HaulingAss]

Those are PEAK charging speeds. They only last for a few minutes before they start tapering.

Don't take my word for it. Go on A Better Route Planner (https://abetterrouteplanner.com/) and try it. You'll see what I'm getting at.

I'm never going to take the word of a software app over my real-world observations. I'm saying the fastest way to travel long distances in a Tesla involves speeding. Why do you think the Canonball recordholders didn't drive the speed limit? So they can arrive later? You are making zero sense.

Please stop.

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[Speedr]

I'm never going to take the word of a software app over my real-world observations. I'm saying the fastest way to travel long distances in a Tesla involves speeding. Why do you think the Canonball recordholders didn't drive the speed limit? So they can arrive later? You are making zero sense.

Please stop.

Sigh...it's the most accurate tool out there for EV trip planning, and matches MY experience. But I'll stop since it works for YOU when you go triple digits, and when Canonball record holders do it, since that's the real world...and everyone should go off that instead.

How about we just agree to disagree...

 

[HaulingAss]

Sigh...it's the most accurate tool out there for EV trip planning, and matches MY experience. But I'll stop since it works for YOU when you go triple digits, and when Canonball record holders do it, since that's the real world...and everyone should go off that instead.

How about we just agree to disagree...

Sure. But I will point out that we were not discussing what results trip planning software would return, we were discussing actual trip times. You can simulate that all you want, and claim it's the real thing, but it's not.

I would also point out that I did not claim we should base it on what Canonballers do, I said the record holding Canonballers drive well above the speed limit for the majority of the trek across the country. If it were faster to drive slower, then the Canonballers who speed would be losing, not breaking records. Remember, the adage I'm taking issue with is "Go slower to arrive sooner". That's the goal of the Canonball Run. To have the quickest overall trip time.

But yeah, believe whatever you want. It's your right.

 

[dfworders]

Just took delivery, tactical grey , AS tires. Pirelli Scorpions. Looks good to me!

Now. First take on range. Driving home, consumption was 304 wh/mile! This is around 370 miles on a full charge, mixed city driving, about half freeways. Next trip, streets only, light traffic, 97 degrees, BTW, and 285 wh/mile which works out to about 400 miles range.

I am stunned. Can this possibly hold up? We'll see, but great so far.

Out of curiosity, when did you place the order? I configured A/S tire on mine as well for 2+ months now still waiting on VIN. Tesla CS said it could be because of the tire and recommended to swap it to A/T to speed up the delivery. I really don't want to give up the A/S range yet.

 

[MadMaxTX]

Out of curiosity, when did you place the order? I configured A/S tire on mine as well for 2+ months now still waiting on VIN. Tesla CS said it could be because of the tire and recommended to swap it to A/T to speed up the delivery. I really don't want to give up the A/S range yet.

I ordered May 7 and the Vin number showed up about 3 months later. Delivered 8/16. About half way through, they offered an immediate delivery if I changed to AT and white. I decided to wait for it and I'm glad I did.

 

[nevetsyad]

"Go slower to arrive sooner". That's the goal of the Canonball Run. To have the quickest overall trip time.

As the electric motorcycle cannonball run record holder, I 100% agree with this.

 

[SSonnentag]

Remember, the adage I'm taking issue with is "Go slower to arrive sooner". That's the goal of the Canonball Run. To have the quickest overall trip time.

If I remember correctly, Bjorn of Norway did testing with one of his Teslas (Model S???) and found that 106 mph was the optimum speed to drive to minimize travel time.

Edit: I found my old post on the subject. Looks like about 109 mph was optimal.
(3) Optimal Cruising Speed to Minimize Time | Tesla Motors Club

 

[HaulingAss]

As the electric motorcycle cannonball run record holder, I 100% agree with this.

Electric motorcycles are not comparable to electric cars. They have much smaller batteries and wind drag is much less favorable at high speeds. That might seem counter-intuitive, but it's true. It's why electric motorcycles have such terrible range at highway speeds.

 

[nevetsyad]

Electric motorcycles are not comparable to electric cars. They have much smaller batteries and wind drag is much less favorable at high speeds. That might seem counter-intuitive, but it's true. It's why electric motorcycles have such terrible range at highway speeds.

You forgot that they're not actively cooled also. DCFC speed starts to throttle after repeated stops, unless it's really cold out.

But, yeah, wind drag is also huge. I tuck under the windshield all day and barely get better than 200wh/mile at 70MPH. There's an optimal travel speed for every EV, based on charge speeds and consumption at various speeds. If the EV doesn't charge very fast, and has horrible freeway efficiency, slowing down may get you there faster.

I'm not entirely impressed by the Cybertruck's charge speed. Unless you're okay stopping every ~100 miles and rolling in at 0%. I'm obviously completely fine with that, but most aren't. Hammering it at 80+MPH will result in more frequent charge stops, and annoy most drivers, especially if they want to do long legs, they're going to need high SOCs at those charges.

 

[HaulingAss]

You forgot that they're not actively cooled also. DCFC speed starts to throttle after repeated stops, unless it's really cold out.

But, yeah, wind drag is also huge. I tuck under the windshield all day and barely get better than 200wh/mile at 70MPH. There's an optimal travel speed for every EV, based on charge speeds and consumption at various speeds. If the EV doesn't charge very fast, and has horrible freeway efficiency, slowing down may get you there faster.

I'm not entirely impressed by the Cybertruck's charge speed. Unless you're okay stopping every ~100 miles and rolling in at 0%. I'm obviously completely fine with that, but most aren't. Hammering it at 80+MPH will result in more frequent charge stops, and annoy most drivers, especially if they want to do long legs, they're going to need high SOCs at those charges.

The rule of thumb I took issue with didn't have to do with annoying drivers or making more stops, it had to do with going slower to arrive sooner.

The rule of thumb is false if one is using the Supercharger Network on normal routes.

This is not a difficult concept, don't try to confuse the matter. I'm trying to bring clarity to people new to EVs and the way to do that does not involve indoctrinating them with things that are simply false.

On many other threads I've sung the praises of travelling slower and enjoying the trip. It had nothing to do with arriving sooner. Lets not fill our new EV motorists with a bunch of outdated old wives tales that are simply incorrect. That said, I will continue to sing the praises of a slower, more relaxed trip, but I won't try to convince EV newbies they will arrive sooner by doing this.

 

[TheLastStarfighter]

If those are steady speed state consumption figures under generally neutral/not unfavorable conditions, then I think my Cybertruck probably comes in significantly lower, especially at the 60-70 mph range. Keep in mind that the efficiency of any model has a certain natural variation depending upon things like the exact wheel alignment (of which there is a range of values that are considered "in spec").

Most interesting in your analysis is the jump in consumption between 65 and 70 mph.

Before the Cybertruck was released to the public, I predicted there would be a sharp jump in consumption somewhere between 60 and 70 mph (based upon my guess that that's the speed range at which there would be a separation of the airflow over the top peak of the truck).

I have no idea how well your measurements avoided inaccuracies due to prevailing breezes or other factors, but I do think the effect your data shows is probably near the point at which the airflow over the top of the truck separates.

Do you mind if I ask what you mean by a separation of airflow? I'm asking for an off-topic reason. My Challenger has had a shake when I go over 65. I've had it looked at by 3 different shops including Dodge and no one can find the problem. They all say it's in amazing shape. I've come to the conclusion it's aero related, and only at higher speeds...

 

[Ruffles]

For those with the AS Core tires, do you have an option in your service setting to configure the tires? On my Model Y, you could select wheel size and tire type. I don't see that option in my CB.

 

[MadMaxTX]

There have been improvements to the charging curve for sure. Cell chemistry/density I doubt...yet anyways.

Concerning battery size, I'll just have to remain agnostic. I still have not seen documentation that Tesla itself makes a claim to the size. Maybe they did, I just haven't seen it. As far this test, I think it's verry useful because it showed actual real-world run down tests, which is what really matters. However, my take is that they used the 123 number as a given, rather than measure it. If you watch closely, it didn't change in any of the displays they showed, which it should have if it was a measurement.

 

[MadMaxTX]

Air resistance increases exponentially with the increase in speed: an increase in speed will result in a much greater increase in air resistance. In addition, the power required to push a vehicle through the increased air resistance increases even higher.

A simple example: a 10% increase in speed could result in a 20% increase in resistance and a 40% increase in required power.

Air resistance is not a major concern at speeds below 60MPH, but as your tests show, efficiency drops dramatically at higher speeds.

I am fully aware of nonlinear behavior in fluid flow problems. I just don't see the reason for the outsized increase going from 65 mph to 70mph compared with the increase observed going from 70 to 75 mph. Another user, HaulingAss, commented that he had predicted this behavior from something in the design, but hasn't given any clues as to what that might be. I intend to do more measurements when I have time and the right circumstances. I'm not saying I intend to do anything illegal, but I like to have measurements at 80 and 85, at least.

 

[MadMaxTX]

You forgot that they're not actively cooled also. DCFC speed starts to throttle after repeated stops, unless it's really cold out.

But, yeah, wind drag is also huge. I tuck under the windshield all day and barely get better than 200wh/mile at 70MPH. There's an optimal travel speed for every EV, based on charge speeds and consumption at various speeds. If the EV doesn't charge very fast, and has horrible freeway efficiency, slowing down may get you there faster.

I'm not entirely impressed by the Cybertruck's charge speed. Unless you're okay stopping every ~100 miles and rolling in at 0%. I'm obviously completely fine with that, but most aren't. Hammering it at 80+MPH will result in more frequent charge stops, and annoy most drivers, especially if they want to do long legs, they're going to need high SOCs at those charges.

Yep, no doubt about it, a road trip in Cybertruck is going to be longer than in a Model 3 , the way it is now. But, then, you're in a Cybertruck.

On optimizing trip time, you have to be careful what question you ask. The original question, the way I understood it, was something like: Assuming you plan to arrive at a specific charge location. Is it quicker to drive there as fast as you can (while still arriving with some charge) or is some slower speed better for minimizing total time. Of course, it depends on the charging time. I think this was said before, but if you are using a supercharger and are down on the SOC charge curve, then you should drive fast. It's easy to model this and I built a spreadsheet to do that as well as for entire trips because a more interesting question is how to minimize a multi-stop trip. Then, you need to be more careful and include overhead time -- time that it takes to get off the road and back on after charging.

This is the type of thing that ABRP has tried to include since it allows you to include some of this. I think that tool is great if you know fairly well what you want to do. I have not been so impressed when you just ask for the best way from point a to point b. But it's the best tool I have found for helping plan a trip.

I found when including a 10 minute overhead per stop, charging from 20% - 80% at each stop, for every set of parameters I tried, you are better off the faster you drove. Of course, if you use a larger overhead, then you can find regions where slower is better, but I am trying to be realistic.

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