Well, I have just returned home after covering 400 miles in a couple of days and now have a better understanding of how the car works, in respect of ranges, and indeed some of the tech, plus a story about fast charging.
Yesterday I set off with 99% battery and an indicated range of 319, which dropped to 259 once I put on the heating. I arrived at my first destination, 153 miles later with 110 miles left, with the OBC showing a consumption of 3.8. interestingly Bluelink was showing 4.7!
My next leg of the journey was from Cambridgeshire to Lakeside, and 95 miles. As the excess range was a little tight I decided to drive 3 miles further north to the A1 services, where I found all 12 Ionity chargers occupied and 2 other cars waiting. I decided to head to lakeside planning to stop on the way. I now had just over 100 miles left for a 98 mile journey and very soon the excess range had disappeared, so I asked for a charging station and was directed to Cambridge services. Again all the chargers were busy. I then spotted a further 4 chargers and a free bay. I parked the car and discovered the charger was out of order. In desperate need of refreshment, I went inside and ordered a Toffee latte and Chicken Mayo, but without the mayo, and returned to my car and within 2 minutes, the guy in the car car next door disconnected the charger, and I plugged in, feeling content, but aware of the max 2 hours free parking, which turned out to be 3. Around 40 minutes later, having taken in the world cup final second half, my car was at 80%, and I headed off, much to the relief of a Mercedes Driver parked in the bay, vacated by the previous driver. We exchanged stories about range etc, His Merc is giving 170 max now, was about 230 in the summer, way short of the 260 advertised.
When I arrived at Lakeside, 65 miles later I went to another charging station, one I was confident would have available chargers and topped up again to 80%.
Today I covered exactly 150 miles. The range was 227 at the start and now has 98, so I have “gained” another 21 miles. The efficiency was 4.7, today. The temperature was 2c yesterday and 12c today.
So yesterday when I topped up, I had covered 192 miles and used 77% of the battery. That equates to a range of 249 miles, which given the appalling driving conditions, heavy rain, 2c, use of heater, and realtively fast motorway driving, is a remarkable outcome.
On the M25 today, there was a two mile stretch of stop/start traffic, the HDA, stops the car and starts moving when the traffic ahead moves, without any need for driver intervention.
In conclusion. The car range is pretty accurate. Its important on a cold day to turn the heater on at the beginning and calculate the range from this figure.
Bluelink readings are fictitious. The 4.72 shown on Sunday would have suggested a 300 mile range, whereas the reality was different. I will continue to use the remote features on the app, but will not post any more screen prints of energy use, as they are not correct.
A 10c difference in temperature (2c vs 12c) makes a huge difference to efficiency, 3.8 vs 4.7, another 55 miles or so of range.
Even in some of the worst driving conditions, the car still produces good returns, 249 miles is 83% of the WTLP, whereas the Mercedes 170 vs 260 is 65%
Finally, be prepared to have to wait at chargers at service station’s especially weekends. Interestingly at Cobham today, there were some available, which was typical as I did not need to charge it! In future when visiting somewhere unfamiliar, I will have a plan B and C , just in case.