Significant Change in Range Estimates
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 819
Likes: 184
From: New England/Florida
2005 SL 500. 2015 S550. 2016 GLE400 2018 S560
Significant Change in Range Estimates
I realize there has been several discussions about range estimates on the car but I wanted to share my recent experience.
I have typically been driving in local traffic, occasionally on the highway for a short period of time in southern Florida. Temps have been in mid 70’s to low 80’s. I recently charged up to 95% and made a round trip to Orlando and back traveling on I 95 and the Florida turnpike averaging 75 mph. I did about 300 miles round trip. Before I started the trip the range estimate the car was reporting was 403 miles at 100% SOC. Now I know that is very generous, but now after the trip my range estimate at 100% is 327 miles, the lowest I’ve seen since I’ve had the car in Florida. I’m confused, because the recent consumer report article stated the EQS 580 sedan range was significantly better than 327 miles on the highway at 70 mph. I wouldn’t have though range dropped that much. Any thoughts?
I have typically been driving in local traffic, occasionally on the highway for a short period of time in southern Florida. Temps have been in mid 70’s to low 80’s. I recently charged up to 95% and made a round trip to Orlando and back traveling on I 95 and the Florida turnpike averaging 75 mph. I did about 300 miles round trip. Before I started the trip the range estimate the car was reporting was 403 miles at 100% SOC. Now I know that is very generous, but now after the trip my range estimate at 100% is 327 miles, the lowest I’ve seen since I’ve had the car in Florida. I’m confused, because the recent consumer report article stated the EQS 580 sedan range was significantly better than 327 miles on the highway at 70 mph. I wouldn’t have though range dropped that much. Any thoughts?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,938
Likes: 396
From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
I realize there has been several discussions about range estimates on the car but I wanted to share my recent experience.
I have typically been driving in local traffic, occasionally on the highway for a short period of time in southern Florida. Temps have been in mid 70’s to low 80’s. I recently charged up to 95% and made a round trip to Orlando and back traveling on I 95 and the Florida turnpike averaging 75 mph. I did about 300 miles round trip. Before I started the trip the range estimate the car was reporting was 403 miles at 100% SOC. Now I know that is very generous, but now after the trip my range estimate at 100% is 327 miles, the lowest I’ve seen since I’ve had the car in Florida. I’m confused, because the recent consumer report article stated the EQS 580 sedan range was significantly better than 327 miles on the highway at 70 mph. I wouldn’t have though range dropped that much. Any thoughts?
I have typically been driving in local traffic, occasionally on the highway for a short period of time in southern Florida. Temps have been in mid 70’s to low 80’s. I recently charged up to 95% and made a round trip to Orlando and back traveling on I 95 and the Florida turnpike averaging 75 mph. I did about 300 miles round trip. Before I started the trip the range estimate the car was reporting was 403 miles at 100% SOC. Now I know that is very generous, but now after the trip my range estimate at 100% is 327 miles, the lowest I’ve seen since I’ve had the car in Florida. I’m confused, because the recent consumer report article stated the EQS 580 sedan range was significantly better than 327 miles on the highway at 70 mph. I wouldn’t have though range dropped that much. Any thoughts?
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 46
From: Georgia
2022 EQS 450+ Pinnacle
I realize there has been several discussions about range estimates on the car but I wanted to share my recent experience.
I have typically been driving in local traffic, occasionally on the highway for a short period of time in southern Florida. Temps have been in mid 70’s to low 80’s. I recently charged up to 95% and made a round trip to Orlando and back traveling on I 95 and the Florida turnpike averaging 75 mph. I did about 300 miles round trip. Before I started the trip the range estimate the car was reporting was 403 miles at 100% SOC. Now I know that is very generous, but now after the trip my range estimate at 100% is 327 miles, the lowest I’ve seen since I’ve had the car in Florida. I’m confused, because the recent consumer report article stated the EQS 580 sedan range was significantly better than 327 miles on the highway at 70 mph. I wouldn’t have though range dropped that much. Any thoughts?
I have typically been driving in local traffic, occasionally on the highway for a short period of time in southern Florida. Temps have been in mid 70’s to low 80’s. I recently charged up to 95% and made a round trip to Orlando and back traveling on I 95 and the Florida turnpike averaging 75 mph. I did about 300 miles round trip. Before I started the trip the range estimate the car was reporting was 403 miles at 100% SOC. Now I know that is very generous, but now after the trip my range estimate at 100% is 327 miles, the lowest I’ve seen since I’ve had the car in Florida. I’m confused, because the recent consumer report article stated the EQS 580 sedan range was significantly better than 327 miles on the highway at 70 mph. I wouldn’t have though range dropped that much. Any thoughts?
Although irritating, try the trip at 65-70MPH next time and see what you get
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 636
From: Iowa
2008 CL550, 2022 EQB 300, 2023 EQS 450 4Matic
In ICE cars, mpg crashes going fast. I saw an article years ago that a Camry was getting like 22 mpg going 80mph. Our cars might be even more sensitive to driving at higher speeds/eating more kwh.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 819
Likes: 184
From: New England/Florida
2005 SL 500. 2015 S550. 2016 GLE400 2018 S560
I should also add that it was near gale force winds as I drove up and back as well. Figured it was the combo of wind and high speed that knocked range down, but the car drives so smoothly it’s tough not to drive 75-80 on Florida’s turnpike, especially late at night.
Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 152
Likes: 50
911
I realize there has been several discussions about range estimates on the car but I wanted to share my recent experience.
I have typically been driving in local traffic, occasionally on the highway for a short period of time in southern Florida. Temps have been in mid 70’s to low 80’s. I recently charged up to 95% and made a round trip to Orlando and back traveling on I 95 and the Florida turnpike averaging 75 mph. I did about 300 miles round trip. Before I started the trip the range estimate the car was reporting was 403 miles at 100% SOC. Now I know that is very generous, but now after the trip my range estimate at 100% is 327 miles, the lowest I’ve seen since I’ve had the car in Florida. I’m confused, because the recent consumer report article stated the EQS 580 sedan range was significantly better than 327 miles on the highway at 70 mph. I wouldn’t have though range dropped that much. Any thoughts?
I have typically been driving in local traffic, occasionally on the highway for a short period of time in southern Florida. Temps have been in mid 70’s to low 80’s. I recently charged up to 95% and made a round trip to Orlando and back traveling on I 95 and the Florida turnpike averaging 75 mph. I did about 300 miles round trip. Before I started the trip the range estimate the car was reporting was 403 miles at 100% SOC. Now I know that is very generous, but now after the trip my range estimate at 100% is 327 miles, the lowest I’ve seen since I’ve had the car in Florida. I’m confused, because the recent consumer report article stated the EQS 580 sedan range was significantly better than 327 miles on the highway at 70 mph. I wouldn’t have though range dropped that much. Any thoughts?
Thus, assuming no change in elevation, if you travel at 75 mph you would use about 15% more electrical power than when you travel at 65 mph.
Furthermore, it is easy, for example, to calculate the additional power required for an EV to climb a hill/mountain. (=total weight *9.8*elevation gain/time, not counting rolling resistance). There is not a lot of wasted energy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,975
Likes: 1,343
From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
The aero drag impact on range is inversely proportional to the velocity squared.
Energy is equal to the amount of work done. E=W
The work done is equal to force F times the distance D that the force is applied. W=K1*F*D
The aero drag force Fad is proportional to the velocity V squared. Fad=K2*V^2
Therefore:
1. E=K1*K2*V^2*D
Let:
a) K=K1*K2
b) B (the battery capacity) = E
c) R = the range
Substituting a, b, c above into 1.
2. B=K*V^2*R
Or
3. R= 1/K*B/(V^2)
Having said the above, the range is more complicated in that I think that the mechanical losses tend to be proportional to speed and the HVAC losses are related to the time traveled. So in the case of HVAC the consumption of range actually decreases with speed (well sort of because heat transfer does increase with speed)
Energy is equal to the amount of work done. E=W
The work done is equal to force F times the distance D that the force is applied. W=K1*F*D
The aero drag force Fad is proportional to the velocity V squared. Fad=K2*V^2
Therefore:
1. E=K1*K2*V^2*D
Let:
a) K=K1*K2
b) B (the battery capacity) = E
c) R = the range
Substituting a, b, c above into 1.
2. B=K*V^2*R
Or
3. R= 1/K*B/(V^2)
Having said the above, the range is more complicated in that I think that the mechanical losses tend to be proportional to speed and the HVAC losses are related to the time traveled. So in the case of HVAC the consumption of range actually decreases with speed (well sort of because heat transfer does increase with speed)
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 152
Likes: 50
911
3. R= 1/K*B/(V^2)
Having said the above, the range is more complicated in that I think that the mechanical losses tend to be proportional to speed and the HVAC losses are related to the time traveled. So in the case of HVAC the consumption of range actually decreases with speed (well sort of because heat transfer does increase with speed)
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,975
Likes: 1,343
From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
I do not think that is right. Suppose the range is 360 miles at 40mph (v^2 = 1600). Then, when you double the speed to 80mph (v^2=6400), the range would drop to 90 miles (6400/1600). Does not seem real - double the speed and reduce the range by 1/4. What am I missing?
Last edited by MBNUT1; Dec 19, 2023 at 11:20 AM.
Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 152
Likes: 50
911
Have a look at these calculations: https://physics.stackexchange.com/qu...air-resistance
It concludes that almost all of the opposing force on the vehicle is air drag.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,975
Likes: 1,343
From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
The EQS has a drag coefficient of 0.2 and a frontal area of 2.51 square meters.
Applying the drag force equation 1/2*rho*Cd*A*V^2 at 70 MPH results in 0.135 kWh of consumption per mile. Consumer Reports test at 70 MPH resulted in a range of ~380 miles. Given the 108 kWh battery this is a total consumption rate of 0.284 kWh/mile so the aero drag was about half of that.
Applying the drag force equation 1/2*rho*Cd*A*V^2 at 70 MPH results in 0.135 kWh of consumption per mile. Consumer Reports test at 70 MPH resulted in a range of ~380 miles. Given the 108 kWh battery this is a total consumption rate of 0.284 kWh/mile so the aero drag was about half of that.
Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 152
Likes: 50
911
The EQS has a drag coefficient of 0.2 and a frontal area of 2.51 square meters.
Applying the drag force equation 1/2*rho*Cd*A*V^2 at 70 MPH results in 0.135 kWh of consumption per mile. Consumer Reports test at 70 MPH resulted in a range of ~380 miles. Given the 108 kWh battery this is a total consumption rate of 0.284 kWh/mile so the aero drag was about half of that.
Applying the drag force equation 1/2*rho*Cd*A*V^2 at 70 MPH results in 0.135 kWh of consumption per mile. Consumer Reports test at 70 MPH resulted in a range of ~380 miles. Given the 108 kWh battery this is a total consumption rate of 0.284 kWh/mile so the aero drag was about half of that.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 636
From: Iowa
2008 CL550, 2022 EQB 300, 2023 EQS 450 4Matic
I'm just super impressed with the knowledge on this forum...wow. I remember hearing years ago that a Tesla would be out of power in ten minutes running wide open.
