37 miles EV range in warm weather/optimal driving habits normal? Is it charging all the way? Charging issues
Just got into a 2018 CPO Clarity w/ 36k miles about 2 weeks ago. The car is great, very roomy and the build quality is much nicer than my previous GM EV. That being said, there have been some range issues that might be just quirks that I'm not familiar w/ in this Honda platform and hopefully I can get some help from fellow owners. I am very familiar w/ how weather, driving habits, speed etc affect EV's so I'm hoping it's just Honda quirks I'm running into.
In the first 2 weeks I've had the car, the first few days I had it in HV mode since the dealer we got it from was 90 miles away, I didn't get to fully charge it till about 2 days later. Charged off the level one charger fully to around 39 miles temps in my area have been hovering around 68-75 degrees since I've owned the car(gotta love socal weather). I brushed off the low range to me driving it at high speeds the previous 2 days(70-80mph in HV mode on our drive home from dealer) and possibly other people test driving it w/ a lead foot. I know it can take the computer a while to re-calibrate to my driving style. I ran that charge all the way to empty which is the last 2 bars and I got 38 total miles till the motor came on which was a bit disappointing considering I drive the car rather conservatively and I rarely run climate control as my daily commute is only around 16 miles, but like I said, I'm letting the computer figure it all out. I've charged it several times after that on the level one, but never to full so I didn't want to count those trips.
The first charging issue I ran into was at and EV-Go charger right next to my gym, I hooked up, went into the gym for around 2 hours and noticed that the charging light was off so I assumed the car finished charging. Nope, it only charged up to 3/4 full and even though I was in the gym for over 120 mins, the EV-go App says it only charged for a total of 108 mins. Since I was having issues connecting to the Honda Link app, I had no way of knowing the car stopped charging. I had no time to figure out the issue since I had dinner reservations after so I just noted the issue and moved on.
Yesterday at another gym, there are free level 2 chargers by the restaurants next to my gym and I snagged one up, I arrived w/ around 7 miles of range left. Plugged it in, went into the gym for my normal 120 mins + session, was tracking the charging the entire time through the Hondalink app as I was able to figure out how to sync the app to my car which was a pain to trouble shoot(essentially unpaired my Bluetooth, removed device, and reconnected my device fixed the issue). I noticed that the app said it was fully charged at 37 miles around the 1.5 hour mark which I thought was strange since documents stated this car takes around 2.5 hours charging from a level 2 from empty. Since I had a little bit of charge left, I assumed it would be done around 2 hours. As a responsible PHEV owner, I went to the car to unplug it and move it so other people can use the charger(I wish more people practiced proper EV etiquette). I have the energy flow always on in the infotainment screen and noticed something odd. Although the instrument cluster stated battery was full since it was all the way to the top, the energy bar on the infotainment was about 3/4 full w/ a bit more to go. I was expecting about 45 miles on this charge since the weather has been in the 75-80 range in the last few days and I drive the car on ECO to avoid running the engine and my speeds never exceed 50mph(lots of speed traps in my area).
So is something wrong w/ my car? Why does the energy graph only go 3/4 full when the range indicator shows full? Is it a degradation meter like they have in the Nissan Leaf's where the bar goes down as the batteries degradate? Is 37 miles in my weather and gentle driving habits normal and if so, that is highly disappointing. Had the selling dealer check for software updates before I bought the car and he showed me a pic of the shop's computer saying no software updates were available so I'm assuming it was updated during the CPO process.
In the first 2 weeks I've had the car, the first few days I had it in HV mode since the dealer we got it from was 90 miles away, I didn't get to fully charge it till about 2 days later. Charged off the level one charger fully to around 39 miles temps in my area have been hovering around 68-75 degrees since I've owned the car(gotta love socal weather). I brushed off the low range to me driving it at high speeds the previous 2 days(70-80mph in HV mode on our drive home from dealer) and possibly other people test driving it w/ a lead foot. I know it can take the computer a while to re-calibrate to my driving style. I ran that charge all the way to empty which is the last 2 bars and I got 38 total miles till the motor came on which was a bit disappointing considering I drive the car rather conservatively and I rarely run climate control as my daily commute is only around 16 miles, but like I said, I'm letting the computer figure it all out. I've charged it several times after that on the level one, but never to full so I didn't want to count those trips.
The first charging issue I ran into was at and EV-Go charger right next to my gym, I hooked up, went into the gym for around 2 hours and noticed that the charging light was off so I assumed the car finished charging. Nope, it only charged up to 3/4 full and even though I was in the gym for over 120 mins, the EV-go App says it only charged for a total of 108 mins. Since I was having issues connecting to the Honda Link app, I had no way of knowing the car stopped charging. I had no time to figure out the issue since I had dinner reservations after so I just noted the issue and moved on.
Yesterday at another gym, there are free level 2 chargers by the restaurants next to my gym and I snagged one up, I arrived w/ around 7 miles of range left. Plugged it in, went into the gym for my normal 120 mins + session, was tracking the charging the entire time through the Hondalink app as I was able to figure out how to sync the app to my car which was a pain to trouble shoot(essentially unpaired my Bluetooth, removed device, and reconnected my device fixed the issue). I noticed that the app said it was fully charged at 37 miles around the 1.5 hour mark which I thought was strange since documents stated this car takes around 2.5 hours charging from a level 2 from empty. Since I had a little bit of charge left, I assumed it would be done around 2 hours. As a responsible PHEV owner, I went to the car to unplug it and move it so other people can use the charger(I wish more people practiced proper EV etiquette). I have the energy flow always on in the infotainment screen and noticed something odd. Although the instrument cluster stated battery was full since it was all the way to the top, the energy bar on the infotainment was about 3/4 full w/ a bit more to go. I was expecting about 45 miles on this charge since the weather has been in the 75-80 range in the last few days and I drive the car on ECO to avoid running the engine and my speeds never exceed 50mph(lots of speed traps in my area).
So is something wrong w/ my car? Why does the energy graph only go 3/4 full when the range indicator shows full? Is it a degradation meter like they have in the Nissan Leaf's where the bar goes down as the batteries degradate? Is 37 miles in my weather and gentle driving habits normal and if so, that is highly disappointing. Had the selling dealer check for software updates before I bought the car and he showed me a pic of the shop's computer saying no software updates were available so I'm assuming it was updated during the CPO process.
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I have a 2020 Clarity and the distance will vary with temperature, but your range seems quite a bit lower than mine. I noticed at mid 30 degrees Celsius =~95+ Fahrenheit that my car wouldn’t quite charge to 100%. You seem to be having a problem at more reasonable temperatures and a much lower percentage being reached. The lowest range I got was around 40km = 25 miles, but the temperature was almost -40 that week. The highest range I’ve got is about 94km = 58 miles, but I drive highways a lot. Others have gotten higher estimated ranges.
Are you able to get the battery capacity directly measured? I seem to remember some people taking their Clarity to the dealership to have the battery capacity determined. I would call ahead, however, before doing this as I don’t know if every place can do this, or if they would charge a fee to do it.
The batteries should lose range over time, but I think it was something like 2% per year. Other people here may have a more accurate estimate, but i seem to remember that it should still have 80%+ range after eight years.
Are you able to get the battery capacity directly measured? I seem to remember some people taking their Clarity to the dealership to have the battery capacity determined. I would call ahead, however, before doing this as I don’t know if every place can do this, or if they would charge a fee to do it.
The batteries should lose range over time, but I think it was something like 2% per year. Other people here may have a more accurate estimate, but i seem to remember that it should still have 80%+ range after eight years.
my 2021 gets over 50 mi on full charge. sounds like a defect in charge controller or battery capiacituI have a 2020 Clarity and the distance will vary with temperature, but your range seems quite a bit lower than mine. I noticed at mid 30 degrees Celsius =~95+ Fahrenheit that my car wouldn’t quite charge to 100%. You seem to be having a problem at more reasonable temperatures and a much lower percentage being reached. The lowest range I got was around 40km = 25 miles, but the temperature was almost -40 that week. The highest range I’ve got is about 94km = 58 miles, but I drive highways a lot. Others have gotten higher estimated ranges.
Are you able to get the battery capacity directly measured? I seem to remember some people taking their Clarity to the dealership to have the battery capacity determined. I would call ahead, however, before doing this as I don’t know if every place can do this, or if they would charge a fee to do it.
The batteries should lose range over time, but I think it was something like 2% per year. Other people here may have a more accurate estimate, but i seem to remember that it should still have 80%+ range after eight years.
Are the tires LRR (low rolling resistance) models? What the tire pressures? (dealers like to set them low for a cushier ride)
We have an 2018 with 40k and new NON-LRR tires. Predominantly highway use and get around 41 EV miles. With LRR tires, it would probably be around 43-44 miles.
We have an 2018 with 40k and new NON-LRR tires. Predominantly highway use and get around 41 EV miles. With LRR tires, it would probably be around 43-44 miles.
To be fair, my car is nearly 4 years older than yours.my 2021 gets over 50 mi on full charge. sounds like a defect in charge controller or battery capiacitu
I'm almost 100% certain they're the stock ones and I did bump them up to spec when I got it home.Check the tires for NON-LRR models and check pressures (dealers like to set them low for a cushier ride).
We have an 2018 with 40k and new NON-LRR tires. Predominantly highway use and get around 41 EV miles. With LRR tires, it would probably be around 43-44 miles.
Also my miles are 99% city under 50mph
OK. I’m leaning towards this being a charging issue and not a battery issue. Clarity, like other plug-ins, often have issues with public chargers. Have you tried L1 charging yet?Also my miles are 99% city under 50mph
Yes my 1st charge to full was level one and it topped off at 39 milesOK. I’m leaning towards this being a charging issue and not a battery issue. Clarity, like other plug-ins, often have issues with public chargers. Have you tried L1 charging yet?
I would suggest continued L1 charging several more times. You can also try a 12v disconnect/reset.Yes my 1st charge to full was level one and it topped off at 39 miles
Tried the 12v disconnect and my gas mileage went up but not the EV range. I'm taking it to the dealer this weekend to see if the charger TSB can be updated on my car.I would suggest continued L1 charging several more times. You can also try a 12v disconnect/reset.
Yes, have your dealer apply all the software updates.
I am in So Cal and my 2018 with 36K miles is still getting 45-60 miles per charge - all year long....
But then I drive like an old granny (gentle acceleration, ECO EV mode, coasting, paddle shifting, no climate controls, no seat heaters, no A/C)
I am in So Cal and my 2018 with 36K miles is still getting 45-60 miles per charge - all year long....
But then I drive like an old granny (gentle acceleration, ECO EV mode, coasting, paddle shifting, no climate controls, no seat heaters, no A/C)
I drive gently in town, never go past 50mph. But I will run AC if needed or my significant other will refuse to ride w/ me, if I'm alone, nothing is on.Yes, have your dealer apply all the software updates.
I am in So Cal and my 2018 with 36K miles is still getting 45-60 miles per charge - all year long....
But then I drive like an old granny (gentle acceleration, ECO EV mode, coasting, paddle shifting, no climate controls, no seat heaters, no A/C)
Haha! I drive like you. Drives my wife crazy. But it pays off…Yes, have your dealer apply all the software updates.
I am in So Cal and my 2018 with 36K miles is still getting 45-60 miles per charge - all year long....
But then I drive like an old granny (gentle acceleration, ECO EV mode, coasting, paddle shifting, no climate controls, no seat heaters, no A/C)
I find that running the A/C doesn’t make a huge difference for me. It may reduce the range by 5%…I drive gently in town, never go past 50mph. But I will run AC if needed or my significant other will refuse to ride w/ me, if I'm alone, nothing is on.
I'm also in So. CA (HB), and I routinely get 50+ miles EV range on my '21 Touring. I don't go out of my way to be gentle on the throttle, but don't race the local high school students, either.
The screen you are showing here in the infotainment screen can be a little confusing. It only shows expected range. That is why the middle shows 25. That is miles. With your expected range of 37 miles, it only lights up three quarters of the way around the semicircle. That is why the app shows 100%, but that info doesn't look "full." I find the range guess-o-meter name to be pretty accurate. I rarely get the guessed range at all. My commute has considerable elevation changes, though. Even though my commute is fairly consistent, the guesses after every charge change quite a bit. My actual mileage used in EV mode can also change quite a bit (positive and negative.) I am tracking it by logging my actual mileage and range guess changes to keep an eye on my battery. I don't have a particular comment on your situation, other than don't trust the range numbers as they can fluctuate. If you really want to be accurate, record actual numbers and use the battery guage on the far left of the instrument cluster. That one is the battery percentage (at least the part of the battery that is usable to the driver.)
Are you referring to an existing temporary service bulletin (TSB) related to the charging system? If so, can you supply the number of the TSB?Tried the 12v disconnect and my gas mileage went up but not the EV range. I'm taking it to the dealer this weekend to see if the charger TSB can be updated on my car.
Here is the Honda service bulletin on the 2018 MY charge issue:Are you referring to an existing temporary service bulletin (TSB) related to the charging system? If so, can you supply the number of the TSB?
Clarity Fails To Charge or Finish Charging
Agree, the OP screenshot is a little weird - showing 3/4 of the range bar....The screen you are showing here in the infotainment screen can be a little confusing. It only shows expected range. That is why the middle shows 25. That is miles. With your expected range of 37 miles, it only lights up three quarters of the way around the semicircle. That is why the app shows 100%, but that info doesn't look "full." I find the range guess-o-meter name to be pretty accurate. I rarely get the guessed range at all. My commute has considerable elevation changes, though. Even though my commute is fairly consistent, the guesses after every charge change quite a bit. My actual mileage used in EV mode can also change quite a bit (positive and negative.) I am tracking it by logging my actual mileage and range guess changes to keep an eye on my battery. I don't have a particular comment on your situation, other than don't trust the range numbers as they can fluctuate. If you really want to be accurate, record actual numbers and use the battery guage on the far left of the instrument cluster. That one is the battery percentage (at least the part of the battery that is usable to the driver.)
Definitely needs to have the dealer apply the Honda TSB charge software update.
I just checked mine and both the car & phone app shows 100% charge w/ full range bar.
This is today's range at a cool 50 degree weather:
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