Levo SL Gen 1 Battery range significantly affected by outside temperature

[Surge]

Has anyone else noticed how much range is affected by outside temp? I would say that for a 10C increase in temp, you lose about 20% of range (I haven't done a detailed analysis). It's more significant than I would like, and I don't think the 1st Gen Levo had such a big range difference due to temperature.

 

[ThierryGTLTS]

Very strange, because it's the exact opposite, the colder the battery the lower the the range.

For most Li-Ion batteries, the rated energy is stated at 20°C, slightly increasing up to maximum operating temperature (about 60°C in most cases, sometimes up to 85°C for special ones).

Under 20°C the energy begins to slightly decrease, more frankly under 0°C.

-20°C is the minimum in most cases, but some special batteries can go to -40°C.


The problem you observe can come from the measuring system which is not very accurate in most cases.


Have a Nice Day.

Thierry

 

[boBE]

Haven't noticed an effect on my Levo SL when I ride in 35 C weather, I do notice the effect on me! I don't ride when it is below 20 C.

 

[Surge]

I think there's an optimal temp, perhaps around 20C.
In 30C or higher, it starts to become sub-optimal, and you lose range. Certainly, that's the case with electric cars (which don't have battery cooling).
When the battery is too hot, you lose range, similar to when it's too cold.
I'm just surprised that it's so noticeable.
at 20C I can get about 45km of range, at 30C it's about 35km.

 

[DtEW]

I think there's an optimal temp, perhaps around 20C.
In 30C or higher, it starts to become sub-optimal, and you lose range. Certainly, that's the case with electric cars (which don't have battery cooling).
When the battery is too hot, you lose range, similar to when it's too cold.
I'm just surprised that it's so noticeable.
at 20C I can get about 45km of range, at 30C it's about 35km.

At the risk of derailing the thread, mainstream electric cars certainly have battery cooling. Even my 8-year-old hybrid has a fan to cool the battery. Cheaper electric cars (eg. Nissan Leaf) use air cooling systems. Better electric cars (eg. Tesla) use liquid cooling systems.

eMTBs don't have real battery cooling systems, and at least in the FF Levo, the battery is air-gapped from the frame. But I would assume that an aluminum frame probably does a somewhat better job of conducting the heated inside air out of the enclosed space than a carbon fiber frame.

 

[chamaruco]

i try to ride fast to keep the battery cool.
here in italy no issue at all, as said maybe it the measurement that fails.

 

[Timochka69]

Yes. My battery range drops to about half at -22 C temperature compared to +20 C.

 

[steve_sordy]

Yes. My battery range drops to about half at -22 C temperature compared to +20 C.

Sod the battery! My range would drop by half at -22degC compared to +20degC.

 

[Timochka69]

Sod the battery! My range would drop by half at -22degC compared to +20degC.

Winter riding is cool. Pun intended.

 

[Loamranger]

Surge, what you say is my understanding after talking to someone with more knowledge on this subject than me.