[ref http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/Modifying-a-Leaf-for-better-range-tp4678455.html ]
(Qualifier: there are likely other evdl members that are more experienced than I on this topic, and I ask for their input and corrections) I am thinking Lawrence' post is on the heels of his last post about the SF<->LA L3 EVSE gaps. It looks like he is considering that rare long EV trip that would benefit from a L3 charging ability and confirm how wise it was to pay a little extra to have a full powered 6kW L2 charger on-board. IMO no one should consider buying an EV that does not have both of these. While most of the time L1 at home or work is fine, there are those few times when it is nice to be able to push the quick charging envelope ( = lets you enjoy your EV doing something you rarely do/do the least). I first looked at what can be done to improve range, by tapping into the many sites discussing this. Any site that discusses tricks and tips to improve mpg (or mpge) would apply. Here are a few links: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1079678_active-shutter-grille-vents-how-they-help-improve-mpg http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f10/aerodynamics-mpg-increase-up-16-a-221.html https://www.google.com/search?q=nissan+leaf+Hypermiling+EcoModding http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/nissan-leaf-30243.html http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/nissan-leaf-30243-39.html But Lawrence is not driving a less efficient ice converted to EV (like my former S-10 Blazer EV). He is driving a purpose built Nissan Leaf production EV. For the price, the Leaf has already been optimized for efficiency by design (even those frog eye like headlight lens are to help aerodynamics by sending the wind around the side mirrors, etc.). So, placing rear wheel well and front grill air dams will only help a fraction. A better thought is to work with what you have. And to begin with knowing what Wh/mile to expect of your EV. The following shows highway Wh/mile rating for a few EVs, that will seem higher than what some have been getting. But if you use them, you can not be hurt when planing a trip. http://longtailpipe.com/ebooks/green-transportation-guide-buying-owning-charging-plug-in-vehicles-of-all-kinds/gasoline-electricity-and-the-energy-to-move-transportation-systems/understanding-kilowatt-hours-in-electric-cars-and-other-gizmos/ 1999 GM EV1 (NiMH) 179 Wh/mile 2000 TMC RAV4 EV (NiMH) 400 Wh/mile ----------------------------------- 2014 BMW i3 BEV 270 Wh/mile 2014 Chevy Spark EV 280 Wh/mile 2014 Honda Fit EV 290 Wh/mile 2015 VW e-Golf 290 Wh/mile 2015 Nissan Leaf 300 Wh/mile 2015 Kia Soul EV 320 Wh/mile 2014 Ford Focus EV 320 Wh/mile 2014 Tesla Model S 85 380 Wh/mile http://avt.inel.gov/pdf/fsev/fact2012mitsubishii-miev.pdf 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV 340 Wh/mi What really wastes energy is those pesky-human driving habits (racing to the next red light, etc.). EAA old timers from the old PbSO4 conversion days, when getting 40+ miles range @55mph was the norm, know that driving your EV at a constant lower speed, and like there is an egg between your foot and the accelerator pedal, maximizes range. There are many people that enjoy maximizing their driving range (EV or ice). They are called Hypermillers. Here is a link specifically for Leaf EV hypermilling: http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?t=13978 hypermiling procedures IMO I suggest Lawrence spend less time trying to improve the Leaf, and mostly focus on learning how to hypermill his Leaf EV for maximum range. Note: in my experience from long ago driving my 2ton lead-sled conversion EV repeatedly on long trips to prove L3 quick charging was viable, all my hypermilling tricks paid off on the first-time trip (slowly getting up to and staying at a constant 55mph). But I found that on repeated trips on the same route, I was much more comfortable about my range ability, and the trips were more enjoyable. When thinking about this during the recharging times, it seemed to me that my human mind was over-thinking like a protection mechanism. It wasn't until I actually had the experience did I know what could and could not be done. After a few long distance trips (initially quite careful, and more confident on repeated trips), I began to know my EV really well. This relieved me of that over thinking, to now focus on having a plan of secondary charging locations (encase the one I planed on was down or in use). Today with so many EVs on the road, having a couple back up plans for charging is wise, especially on long trips (thanks plugshare.com ). I have a EV trip experience from a Leaf driver to share. A SJEAA member that would be coming from deep in San Jose (Blossom Hill area, jct of Hwy 101 & Hwy 85), wanted to make a round trip to Treasure island (its an island east of SF in the middle of the bay). At that time, there was no public EVSE on the island, and there was far less public L2 EVSE than there is today. I let him know that driving up Hwy 101 was wiser than using the east SF bay route as 101 is flatter (wastes less energy), and I let him know of places to charge in SF after his Treasure Is. task was over. Google maps shows https://goo.gl/maps/VN6UWrfEJ9N2 that trip is about 65 energy miles, which is close to his Leaf's range ability. Later he told me that he had charged for over 4 hours at a 3kW L2 rate which enough for him to return back home. His style was to do this inital long EV trip at 50mph. He said that was the technique he had learned when he previously drove his Porsche EV conversion. For EVLN EV-newswire posts use: http://evdl.org/evln/ {brucedp.150m.com} - [ref http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/Modifying-a-Leaf-for-better-range-tp4678455.html I was reading online that capping the grill, moving the license plate, reversing the mudflaps and pumping up the tires to 45psi will give you 20% better economy with the Leaf. I'm thinking fender skirts would help as well. Lawrence Rhodes ] - -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/Hypermiling-for-better-range-tp4678457.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Read EVAngel's EV News at http://evdl.org/evln/ Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
