Credit: Volkswagen/Plug In Cars
For the time being, range of electric vehicles will continue to be limited, unless you have Tesla money to spend, or buy something with a fossil fueled range extender (GM Volt, BMW i3). Use of ancillaries reduces range further.
Green Car Reports has measured the impact of air conditioner use on range of an electric powered Volkswagen Golf.
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1099693_volkswagen-e-golf-climate-control-how-much-does-a-c-impact-range / Volkswagen e-Golf test hottest summers on record summer of 2015 more than 25 days 90 degrees 100-degree days serious heatwaves e-Golf’s climate control gasoline-engine versions start pushing out cold air electrically driven A/C compressor maintain a constant comfortable temperature cost of A/C in efficiency and range about 15 percent charge energy use 4.5 miles per kilowatt-hour 3.9 mi/kWh 3.7 mi/kWh particularly hot afternoon max A/C button 15-percent reduction in efficiency max mode full charge estimated range number climate control off 100 miles turn on the A/C real-world numbers 84 miles after a full charge air conditioning A/C low-charge warnings modes Normal driving mode three efficiency modes Eco mode reduced reduces air-conditioning output motor output top speed Eco+ mode limiting power 56-mph limit on top speed pre-cooling heat pump e-Golf SEL Premium model heat-pump heating recover heat from the ambient air waste heat battery pack drivetrain components improves efficiency heater system cold season compromising hot-weather comfort range LiIon lithium ion charge recharge range battery charge recharge quick charge /
