[wumoda]

I'd like to get your opinion on my bi-weekly long distance commute. I understand that using DCFC to charge to 100% is not advisable. I do have a home level 2 charger, have access to EA at the destination.

My one way commute is 190 miles, depends on my route, it could get longer. BTW I have never seen 250 miles range when I charge ID4 to 100%, usually around 240 miles or less If I charge it to 90%, it only has 215 miles range.

Additional info, if I drive a little faster (75-80 mph) on expressway, at the end of my 190 miles trip, it would only have 25 miles range left, as oppose to 50 miles left (240 miles minus 190 miles).

Yes, there are EA charging stations in between my 190 miles trip. For sake of time, I usually don't stop halfway to charge the car, because it would add additional 30 minutes to my trip.

Q: Should I continue to charge my car to 100% at the start of each trip although 100% is not advisable?

 

[Spin]

DC charging to 100% is worse than L2 charging to 100%. 90% is better than 100%. 80% is better yet. If you stop and charge for a few minutes you can give yourself a buffer so you won't have to charge to 100 or even 90%.

 

[GrandpaJim]

Advice for long trips in the ID.4:
1. Drive at the speed limit.
2. Stop every two hours or so, stretch your legs, get coffee or a meal as you charge to 80 or 90% at Electrify America.
3. Watch your car, your battery, your money, and your body last longer with less anxiety.

 

[PANZERidIV]

When I travel I charge to 100% and then adjust my speed accordingly to make it to my next EA charger by watching the GOM and imagining mountains, storms, or Navigation errors into Army firing ranges in my way. You’ll make it to your destination with a little luck in a VW ID.4.

 

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

I love our ID4 but it sounds like you may be the one in a million person who actually needs to buy one of the competing EVs which offer more range.

 

[Nai3t]

Just pointing out that 190 miles at 80 MPH = 2h 23m of driving.

@ 65 MPH = 2h 55m

32 minutes difference, potentially one charging stop saved?

YMMV, literally, but worth a second look?

 

[jgoodnough]

Just pointing out that 190 miles at 80 MPH = 2h 23m of driving.

Plus the $300 speeding ticket depending on where you are.

 

[Tinman]

Advice for long trips in the ID.4:
1. Drive at the speed limit.
2. Stop every two hours or so, stretch your legs, get coffee or a meal as you charge to 80 or 90% at Electrify America.
3. Watch your car, your battery, your money, and your body last longer with less anxiety.

I could easily drive that 190 miles straight through, but I wouldn't.

Years ago, I had a 196 mile one-way commute into DC that I did every other day seven days a week, with no break for weekends, up one day and back the next. The car needed a tank of gas before the end of the round trip. Both ends of the trip were in high cost gasoline locations, so I usually stopped for the cheapest gas in the middle of one leg of the trip. Eventually, I found out that a quick stop each way was better for my mind and body. Even with a Honda, a fill-up and a restroom break always took about 10 minutes. It took me a couple years of doing it to accept that I could commute, er, 'well-hydrated', and get off of the I-95 rat race both ways. I got back on the highway with an exponentially improved mental condition. My legs are better off today for those quick stretches.

If you can, I'd probably do the same with ID.4, which is a variation of Grandpa Jim's #2 bullet point. Find strategically located EA chargers that are safe and reliable and stop both ways for a 10-15 minute charge. You could charge ~80% at home and stop both ways at an EA for the top up with the charge you need and the stretch your legs need to avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Your battery would be warm and ready to quickly ramp up and you would be working the middle of the pack each way. (Jim's #3 bullet point) I guess it might also require an EA destination charge. With ID.4, range is pretty consistent math. You may have different optimal DCFC stops on each leg of the trip because of headwinds/tailwinds.

I've never learned how to obey Jim's #1 point, though.

 

[serious.sam.4all]

I'd like to get your opinion on my bi-weekly long distance commute. I understand that using DCFC to charge to 100% is not advisable. I do have a home level 2 charger, have access to EA at the destination.

My one way commute is 190 miles, depends on my route, it could get longer. BTW I have never seen 250 miles range when I charge ID4 to 100%, usually around 240 miles or less If I charge it to 90%, it only has 215 miles range.

Additional info, if I drive a little faster (75-80 mph) on expressway, at the end of my 190 miles trip, it would only have 25 miles range left, as oppose to 50 miles left (240 miles minus 190 miles).

Yes, there are EA charging stations in between my 190 miles trip. For sake of time, I usually don't stop halfway to charge the car, because it would add additional 30 minutes to my trip.

Q: Should I continue to charge my car to 100% at the start of each trip although 100% is not advisable?

You mentioned 190miles one way commute, I assume you have level 2 charger at both ends of your trip and stay at that location long enough to charge your car fully.

Please also keep in mind, you may be able to get away with your current driving distance with single 100% charge but after about a year with battery degradation you may not.

My preference in your case would be to start the trip around 80-90% charge and stopping at EA for top up. You do not need to spend 30 minutes there. Charge when you go below 20% and keep it connected for just a few minutes while you freshen up, that will give you 125kw full charging speed (135kw with new update) and you can easily reach your destination with peace of mind.

Other option may be to drive slowly, as already mentioned by @Nai3t that takes about the same time as Fast charge time.

 

[wumoda]

I could easily drive that 190 miles straight through, but I wouldn't.

Years ago, I had a 196 mile one-way commute into DC that I did every other day seven days a week, with no break for weekends, up one day and back the next. The car needed a tank of gas before the end of the round trip. Both ends of the trip were in high cost gasoline locations, so I usually stopped for the cheapest gas in the middle of one leg of the trip. Eventually, I found out that a quick stop each way was better for my mind and body. Even with a Honda, a fill-up and a restroom break always took about 10 minutes. It took me a couple years of doing it to accept that I could commute, er, 'well-hydrated', and get off of the I-95 rat race both ways. I got back on the highway with an exponentially improved mental condition. My legs are better off today for those quick stretches.

If you can, I'd probably do the same with ID.4, which is a variation of Grandpa Jim's #2 bullet point. Find strategically located EA chargers that are safe and reliable and stop both ways for a 10-15 minute charge. You could charge ~80% at home and stop both ways at an EA for the top up with the charge you need and the stretch your legs need to avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Your battery would be warm and ready to quickly ramp up and you would be working the middle of the pack each way. (Jim's #3 bullet point) I guess it might also require an EA destination charge. With ID.4, range is pretty consistent math. You may have different optimal DCFC stops on each leg of the trip because of headwinds/tailwinds.

I've never learned how to obey Jim's #1 point, though.

LOL agree Jim's #1 point is hard to obey, sometimes the flowing traffic dictates my speed at 75mph+, but I'm trying very hard to keep below 70mph knowing it's better fir battery efficiency. Thx.

 

[agzand]

Since you leave right after charging, up to 90% is OK. The main issue is when the car sits for days at 90 or 100%. If it were me, I would charge to 90% and drive a bit slower to make it on one charge.

 

[PANZERidIV]

I think people are making too much about charging not up full at least when you leave each way on a long trip, unless it is doable on a single 80% charge (of course a bathroom break is a good idea). And VW ID.4 “one year battery degradation” loss is just silly talk. At 12,000 miles I have seen zilch. Would you say that about Tesla?

 

[Don]

For the outbound trip, it sounds like you can make it with your 100% home L2 charge. An option for the return would be a 70% DCFC charge to start (less time charging than to 80%, probably around 25 minutes) and then another 70% recharge at the station you usually don't use, again that should take less than 30 minutes

My last DCFC was from 15% and I got 125Kw to start, or 7 miles per minute up to 50% and then it dropped to 6 miles per minute. At about 65% it dropped again to only 5 miles per minute, so the charge from 65% to 80% took longer than the charge from 15% to 50%. Charging above 80% would really take a long time as it really drops off after 80%

For my return, I had charged to 80% on the way up and was still at 75% when I got to my destination, so I plugged in the OEM 8 amp L1 EVSE and topped it off from 75% to 100% in about 24 hours. Made the 200 mile return trip with 40 miles still remaining on the GOM

 

[PANZERidIV]

If you are in a hurry then yes charging above 80% is questionable on the road. Depends on the type of trip (just exploring?) and your schedule. For just exploring in the wilderness or out in the country type trips it feels best when charging to 100% to me. Power on tap.

 

[Don]

For just exploring in the wilderness or out in the country type trips it feels best when charging to 100% to me. Power on tap.

I agree. When I leave home on any trip anticipated to be 100 miles or more I always charge to 100% . . . . at home, just before I leave. If it turns out that I end up 100 miles or less away from home, then I can make it back without needing to recharge anywhere. For quick charges, I charge to about what I think I'll need (plus 20% or so) and usually arrive home with 15% or less and plug in when I park it in the garage. I prefer two smaller quick charges to one long one myself, but your preferences may vary. There is no 'right or wrong way' to do this - It's whatever works for you and your schedule and KISS does apply. Don't overthink it and just enjoy the car and the trip

 

[JHeck]

Have you tried drafting off semis? I've notice a 10% improvement minimum if I do that.

 

[Nai3t]

Have you tried drafting off semis?

 

[wildpitcher]

I'd like to get your opinion on my bi-weekly long distance commute. I understand that using DCFC to charge to 100% is not advisable. I do have a home level 2 charger, have access to EA at the destination.

My one way commute is 190 miles, depends on my route, it could get longer. BTW I have never seen 250 miles range when I charge ID4 to 100%, usually around 240 miles or less If I charge it to 90%, it only has 215 miles range.

Additional info, if I drive a little faster (75-80 mph) on expressway, at the end of my 190 miles trip, it would only have 25 miles range left, as oppose to 50 miles left (240 miles minus 190 miles).

Yes, there are EA charging stations in between my 190 miles trip. For sake of time, I usually don't stop halfway to charge the car, because it would add additional 30 minutes to my trip.

Q: Should I continue to charge my car to 100% at the start of each trip although 100% is not advisable?

This is a tough one.

I think I would charge to 100% with the L2 charger before leaving the house in the AM. At work, I would charge to 80% at the DCFC and then top it off at an interim stop on the way home. 10-15 minutes worth, max. Or charge to 65% and work and charge more enroute

Dave

 

[BlueDH]

Have you tried drafting off semis? I've notice a 10% improvement minimum if I do that.

Last summer I drove from central MD to Myrtle Beach, SC about 475 miles, mostly on I95 and very flat and drafted behind tractor trailers going just over the speed limit.
I picked one and used mode B and Traffic Assist at mid-distance. I made sure the driver knew I was behind him.
I started at 100% SOC, and made 2 stops at EA stations. Very pleasant and easy drive on weekdays south and north.

 

[jgoodnough]

My one way commute is 190 miles, depends on my route, it could get longer. BTW I have never seen 250 miles range when I charge ID4 to 100%, usually around 240 miles or less If I charge it to 90%, it only has 215 miles range.

Q: Should I continue to charge my car to 100% at the start of each trip although 100% is not advisable?

I have a one-per-week commute that is 160 miles round trip. NO DCFC chargers are available on my route. I charge to 100% without hesitation since it's only once per week, AND I'm charging on a Level2 home charger. I'm not worried about 100% charges off an L2 charger. Plus I charge to 60 or 80% the rest of the time. As for speeding...I'm with Grandpa Jim. Getting to my destination 10 or 15 minutes earlier just doesn't justify the possible costs. As for the people stuck behind me on those secondary roads...sorry. Take a breath and relax.