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The improved EPA numbers for the ID.4 are based on the same 82-kWh battery pack and the same output motors.
The 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E also has an improved range.
I think the question is about what was done to get that improved range since it's the same battery pack and powertrain.
Some options are they allowed more of the battery reserve to be immediately accessible which is okay, but not great. Another is that, and this is the worst, they changed their EPA cycle testing systems or switched from a 2 cycle to a 5 cycle test and got better results in the *tests*, but solely the tests and the real world results are still the same. Another, and this would be best, is that they optimized some of the battery management and/or motor controller and got it to actually be more efficient. The first one just means loosening the limit though *potentially* at the expense of battery life unless it's something along the lines of having gotten back more data and finding battery life is not really negatively impacted by giving more usable capacity. The second one is basically just paper pushing and doesn't have any real benefit except for being able to tout a better number though it changes nothing about the actual real world range. The third one is very good, because greater actual efficiency means better real world results both in terms of range as well as more range yield per kWh of charge and more miles received per minute of charging at any charging value. Given that the WLTP rating also went up, it's looking possible that it's the third option that happened which would be very good news.
It is difficult to know what happened unless the company gives a press release.
Eventually the EPA releases details of their test and you can see exactly what the difference is.
2021 Volkswagen ID.4 1st 2-Wheel Drive, Rear 250 miles
2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro 2-Wheel Drive, Rear 260
2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S 2-Wheel Drive, Rear 250
2021 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro All Wheel Drive 249
2021 Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro S All Wheel Drive 240
In 2019 the Subaru STI sports sedan got "gas guzzler" rating, an unexpected result for a Subaru. The GG tax was $1000 so corporate agreed to pay it instead of passing it on to consumers as the STI is a sells in very small numbers. Subaru submitted it again to the EPA less than 10 weeks later and it improved fuel economy. The databse only listed a different oil.
It would be nice to see sales for the ID.4 move past the Atlas Cross Sport for this quarter.
Q4 2021 Model
24,743 Tiguan
14,656 Atlas
13,639 Taos
9,246 Jetta - car
8,216 Atlas Cross Sport
7,892 Passat - car
4,463 ID.4
Last edited by PacoMartin; 02-22-2022 at 02:34 PM..
Not included there, but what points towards option 3 was that the WLTP rating went up though that doesn't rule out option 1. WLTP doesn't have the weirdness that EPA ratings have. While WLTP is generally a gross overestimate of range, it's at least the same test and relatively consistent for comparing among models and model years. EPA on the other hand has two separate cycles you can use for EPA range estimates (2 and 5 cycle) which yield very different results with the more exhaustive 5 cycle usually yielding the higher estimate and meanwhile manufacturers can opt to lower their *official* result if they choose to, so this means that one EPA rating vs another isn't very helpful for comparison unless these are wildly, wildly different numbers or that you're sure they're on the same cycle and with neither voluntarily lowering their rating. That EPA rating system really seems nuts to me.
Last edited by OyCrumbler; 02-22-2022 at 02:09 PM..
EPA on the other hand has two separate cycles you can use for EPA range estimates (2 and 5 cycle) which yield very different results with the more exhaustive 5 cycle usually yielding the higher estimate and meanwhile manufacturers can opt to lower their *official* result if they choose to, so this means that one EPA rating vs another isn't very helpful for comparison unless these are wildly, wildly different numbers or that you're sure they're on the same cycle and with neither voluntarily lowering their rating. That EPA rating system really seems nuts to me.
I think from the Subaru STI test below, it shows that some relatively small changes in the testing could result in substantive differences.
Quote:
As I said earlier, Subaru got a Gas Guzzler Rating based on a test done on 9/30/2019. Based on a test done on 12/6/2019 the Gas Guzzler Rating was removed. The only difference in the database was the oil used.
We don't have any idea if that was the only difference. Gas Guzzler Tax is applied to any car that has a 2 cycle rating lower than 21.5 mpg.
2019 Subaru TECNICA INTERNATIONAL WRX
22.1503 mpg 2 cycle lower than 22.5
17.1897 mpg 5 cycle
9/30/2019 GF-5 5W-40 oil
2020 Subaru TECNICA INTERNATIONAL WRX
24.1367 mpg 2 cycle higher than 22.5
18.6133 mpg 5 cycle
12/6/2019 GF-5 5W-30 oil
The Subaru WRX owner's manual states: If 5W-30 synthetic oil is not available, 5W-40 conventional oil may be used if replenishment is needed but should be changed to 5W-30 synthetic oil at the next oil change.
I don't know why the 9/30/2019 test was performed with the wrong oil.
Last edited by PacoMartin; 02-22-2022 at 03:14 PM..
Correction from my last post. Gas Guzzler Tax is applied to any car that has a 2 cycle rating lower than 22.5 mpg.
I've noticed changes in EPA ratings from one year to the next even though there was no obvious improvement to the vehicle. I think there are small changes to the design done all the time (like changing a single gear in the transmission) that subtly change the fuel rating or the range of a vehicle.
USA will receive the van well after other parts of the world. 7 passenger and AWD versions will be available. I wonder if such a vehicle would make it to fleet sales for services like taxis or small multiple passenger transport like nursing homes for example?
I've had mine now for a year, a ID.4 Pro S white metallic. Loved it since the day I got it. I've felt compared even to my former 2020 Tiguan SEL it's a luxury vehicle. I've lost count the thousands of $$ I've saved on not buying gas anymore. My average charge is done once a week. My power company has tracked my cost for me and it's averaging $14.00 a month and I keep it at 90% charged. I don't see my dealer anymore and won't till probably next spring at this rate for the 10k inspection (no work typically done just an inspection). Passing annoying slow drivers is now a breeze done in seconds without drama (or noise). The seats are so comfortable and there's NO wind or road noise like before. All aspects of it have been great, especially when I do a huge shopping trip using the back hatch area. All in all it's been the best vehicle I've ever owned and I've owned many and some more expensive then this one. I'd highly recommend the ID.4 to those that ask me about it quite often when I'm stopping at the stores.
My power company has tracked my cost for me and it's averaging $14.00 a month and I keep it at 90% charged.
While I appreciate your enthusiasm, the EPA estimate for this vehicle to drive 25 miles costs $1.07 (vs $3.80 for a VW Jetta or $6.59 for an AWD VW Atlas with 6 cylinder engine). I assume you are not driving 327 miles per month.
An average of 1250 miles per month should take 412.5 kWh per month. EPA estimates that should cost you ~ $54 a month .
My power company has tracked my cost for me and it's averaging $14.00 a month and I keep it at 90% charged.
A cost of $14/week is more reasonable.
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