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Equinox EV Cold Weather Range Reduction vs. Bolt EV

4.4K views 38 replies 15 participants last post by  Salkin  
I have a 2023 Bolt EUV and am looking at trading up to an Equinox EV.

I know that Bolt cabin heating is via resistance heating while the Equinox uses a heat pump. Did read some interesting posts describing it’s configuration including how it uses the battery conditioning loop.

My question for Equinox owners, especially previous (or still) Bolt owners is do you notice a real life improvement in cold weather range vs. the Bolt?

Here in CT my Bolt EUV seems to get just about the EPA 250 mile range in optimum mid 70s deg. F. Running in winter between the mid-teens and low 30s deg. F imparts about a 30% loss of range. Does the Equinox use of a heat pump realistically reduce the cold weather range penalty?
I had a '23 Bolt as well. I, too, experienced a cold temperature range loss in the Bolt. I don't have the numbers, but about a 30% loss seems correct.

I now have an Equinox EV, and the cold weather range loss is no better than the Bolt's, maybe worse. For example, I have a daily route that I drive, about two-thirds of which is mostly at 70 mph on an interstate. When the temp is in the mid-to-upper 30s, I get 3 miles/kWh, at most. When it gets really cold, as it has recently (-9F°), the efficiency drops as low as half that, so 1.5 miles/kWh. This is by far the worst feature of the Equinox EV.
 
I just turned in my 2022 Bolt EUV Premier last Thursday when I picked up my EVquinox. I was getting 167 miles on a full charge in my Bolt. I charged my new EVquinox and got 300 miles. I'm a happy guy. I'm in western NY and it has been really cold here, 8-20° every day. I know that's probably 30% lower than I will get in the Summer, but it's a vast improvement! [Emphasis added]
I also have been driving in that temperature range where I live. I observe the “80% rule” for charging, and my miles/kWh is never higher than 2.0 on a routine route I drive (about 75% at highway speeds). The battery’s nominal capacity is 85 kWh, which is 68 kWh at 80%. This would result in 2.0 X 68, or 136 miles of range, a far cry from the 300 miles you report at 100%(or, 240 miles with an 80% charged battery).

Could you elaborate on the speeds at which you’re driving to get that 300 mile range?