Simple Software Update Increases Tesla Model S Range By Up To 56 Miles Per Week
Modern electronics usually use a little bit of electricity while they are switched “off,” often for the sake of convenience so that you don’t have to set the time or retain settings or wait awhile for something to start up. However, the settings bit is unnecessary, as they can be (and often are) stored using EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).
Normally, the Tesla Model S does not completely switch off when you turn it off, but the company is making some improvements in that area.
Unfortunately, for every day that a Tesla Model S is parked, it loses up to 8 miles of driving range while it is not even in use. That is a whopping 56 miles per week, or a staggering 240 miles per month.
Tesla Motors said that soon an update will be available to solve that problem by powering the vehicle electronics off.
Here are some notes from the press release regarding the new “Vehicle Sleep” feature:
“With this release, Model S will power off the display and vehicle electronics each time you exit, transitioning to a ‘sleep’ state. When you return to Model S, you’ll note a modest increase in the time it takes the touchscreen and instrument panel to wake from this energy-saving state.
“Model S will initiate the startup process the moment the key is recognized nearby. You can only begin driving once both displays are ready.”
The driving range of the Tesla Model S depends on the chosen configuration. It can be 160 miles with a 40 kWh battery, 230 miles with a 60 kWh, or 300 miles with an 85 kWh pack (all at a speed of 55 mph*).
If you have the 40 kWh version, and tend to leave it for weeks without driving or charging it, you will want this update.
Source: Autoblog Green
*The faster you drive, the shorter range will be because efficiency decreases as speed increases due to increased drag. This unfortunate rule applies to all types of vehicles.
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“*The faster you drive, the shorter range will be because efficiency decreases as speed increases due to increased drag. This unfortunate rule applies to all types of vehicles”
Physics. Its the Law!
Sounds interesting. It could be possible that other electic vehicles have the same problem more or less…
The faster you drive, the shorter range will be because efficiency decreases as speed increases due to increased drag. This unfortunate rule applies to all types of vehicles.
Clean Technica (http://s.tt/1xpm2) Not only in a steady state as this implies but with changes in speed. Drivers are not properly educated as to car efficiency as well as the physics AND the psychology of speeding. Changes to speed, such as changing lanes, passing all other cars, etc. create even higher fuel costs. But most everyone is not even aware of this. I was not until I invested time, energy and effort into this area. So, to see a ton of people idling cars, going to drive-through windows, running the AC 100% of the time, driving basically pushing and shoving other cars out of the way, besides causing crashes and citations, is just ample proof that our government and private industry should step up efforts as to education. I do not mind people wasting money IF they choose to do so. But to waste money when you cannot afford it? That is a different matter altogether. As far as Tesla Motors, all I can say is Congratulations! and keep working. This is our future. I will buy an EV or plug-in hybrid as soon as I can. Thanks.
Sounds like a lot of power just for computers. For instance an idling powerful Ivy Bridge laptop only takes about 20 watts constantly. I doubt a Tesla Model s has more computing power than that. So that’s 0.480KW hours a day. So my guess is that the battery thermal management system is very aggressive even with the car unplugged and key fob no where near it.
Time to release a patch!