The best case scenario is to report battery almost completely accurately to the user and let them decide the risk they wish to take. Maybe hide 5% or offer 5% pessimism on the display.
I agree completely, but the ICE vehicle manufacturers haven't done it this way for at least as long as I've been driving -- everybody knows when the needle hits "E", you've still got plenty of gas in the tank. It makes me crazy. If people are too stupid to refill before the needle gets to the "E", they deserve to be stuck on the side of the road! You have to manage your affairs better than that.
The reason I'd agree with reserving 5% or so is just because of the uncertainty factor. In spite of the best-laid plans, it is possible for the algorithm to think there's 5% charge left when actually the battery is done.
Right, ideally you want it so you can go 85 mph up to 0%, and then start progressively cutting back power. So the "reserve" can be the kWh needed to have left to still output 20 kW (or less if the Zero ever gets more aerodynamic)
The "reserve" might be enough to allow 15 miles of range at an average speed limited to 35 mph, where the first few miles are between 70 and 80, then 60 and 70, etc etc to where it finally crawls along at 20 mph for the last 2 miles. But at least can get you to a charge station if you make a wrong turn on the freeway right at the end of your planned trip and range. (Example, using the "Range" feature on the dash, or "Miles to Empty" on the App.)
The max legal speed until 0% I think is important as I have read accounts where Zero owners were frustrated that they couldn't keep up with freeway traffic near the end of their range but not empty by the dash SOC reading yet. I can understand that. If that means hiding just a little more, that that would be better.
The accuracy should be so good on the 2017 models that this should be able to happen right at 0% each time.
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Topic: I had to push it home for the first time today (Read 2128 times)