Good things to know as a new FFE Owner ?

[koehler]

Hi All,

I've had my FFE for several weeks now, and loving it. Even with only 120v recharge currently.

My questions is, what do you think the average newbie really needs to know to get the most of this car?

My #1 is, it seems as though the computerized 'Miles remaining" is using some sort of adaptive, fuzzy logic. Was pretty cool even around here when I first got her, and it seemed like my range was never going to get above 65-70.
Been much warmer lately, and simple moderate, about town driving seems to be yielding 55-60 miles with ~25-29 remaining. Though this is driving like granny, and mostly keeping off highways and 45 or less.

Anyone else?

 

[jmueller065]

Read the entries on the top right of my blog:
http://jamiegeek.myevblog.com/

Under: "Helpful Posts/How to get stuff done/Start Here"
Given your question about the shown range you might want to start with the entry titled: "The Guess-O-Meter"

 

[pjam3]

Hi All,

I've had my FFE for several weeks now, and loving it. Even with only 120v recharge currently.

My questions is, what do you think the average newbie really needs to know to get the most of this car?

My #1 is, it seems as though the computerized 'Miles remaining" is using some sort of adaptive, fuzzy logic. Was pretty cool even around here when I first got her, and it seemed like my range was never going to get above 65-70.
Been much warmer lately, and simple moderate, about town driving seems to be yielding 55-60 miles with ~25-29 remaining. Though this is driving like granny, and mostly keeping off highways and 45 or less.

Anyone else?

A lot of it will depend on where you live and your driving style. I pretty much get 70-75 miles Max and I never take freeways or go over 45 MPH or ever have my climate on. But I have an incline and when I go to a market down the street (it's about a 2.5 mile round trip), I wind up using 15+ miles that never comes back. And this market has a charging station( 1 charger and weekends are impossible to use now), but I've charged it up to 79 Miles and get home with 65 miles left. It's a little over a 1 mile drive going about 35 MPH. I've tried various ways to get around this, but it's never going to happen. The FFE is terrible with long inclines.

It would work out well if I got +15 miles on the way to the market, but the most I get is like +8 but that only happens when nobody else is on the highway and I glide through every light. That never happens though. There were a couple of times I received the finger for gliding down the hill and a few cars behind me. I did get my +8 miles though.

 

[MNEV]

"Getting the most out of the car" depends on what you want out of the car.

If effieciency and range are the most important to you then avoiding high speed highway driving can help in this regard.

Being free of range anxiety is import then having a good map of available charging stations (a plug for Plugshare.com) will help put your mind at ease.

If driving comfort is important then having a good idea of how much range you will lose with climate control and planning trips accordingly is the key.

If you have to deal with a snowy climate, learning how to turn of traction control when you need to can be a key to get out of a slick spot or through the plowed bank at low speeds.

If you want to drive it like its a sports car then knowing how to adjust you guess-o-meters range so you don't end up short is important.

If you are Eco minded, check with your utility to see if you can pair up with a renewable charging. Xcel offers do sell wind alottments (you pay a little more and they use the amount to purchase and fund wind projects) and you can get a sticker that you "I Go with Gust-o".

David

 

[happyahab]

Don't forget to check with your utility if a time of use rate is available to you. IE: cheaper rates in the nighttime and more expensive rates in the day time. You can take advantage of that rate regardless of if you charge at 120V or 240V

 

[michael]

Don't put too much faith in the mile GOM. Look at the battery percentage...it doesn't swing wildly based on your immediate conditions.

I've also found the cup of energy display to be helpful. If you program the GPS for your route, it will continuously show you the Wh/mi you need to maintain to reach that destination. You will soon get a good idea of what consumption you achieve in various situation and will either have confidence of reaching your destination or you will have early notice to grab some additional charge.

Most important thing to know is that you made a good choice...there is very little chance you will ever want to go back to an ICE vehicle.