Tesla has started releasing a new software update (2022.16.0.2) with improved range calculation incorporating more environmental factors and the ability to link media accounts to driver profiles.
The latter is quite simple. You can now have multiple Spotify accounts linked to your vehicle, and they will automatically switch between them based on the selected driver profile.
Tesla wrote in the release notes:
Media Player accounts (e.g. Spotify Login) are now linked to your driver profile. Simply log in to your media account while your driver profile is selected.
The second feature in the update is arguably much more important, and it’s something Tesla has been testing for some time.
We reported it in March when it appeared in code, but now Tesla seems confident enough to put it in the release notes:
“The energy forecast for your route has been improved by incorporating crosswind, headwind, humidity and ambient temperature forecasts when using online navigation.”
Autonomy calculations are difficult regardless of the type of powertrain, electric or internal combustion engine.
There are so many factors that can affect a vehicle’s efficiency on a road that it’s hard to tell how far it can go on a full battery or tank of gas.
But it is important. I would say accurate range prediction is better at reducing range anxiety than longer range.
Tesla has long been a leader in efficiency and long-range electric vehicles, but despite that, it still has problems predicting the energy consumption of a trip.
In 2018, Tesla added more environmental factors (altitude changes, weather, etc.) into the calculation. It helped, but it’s still far from accurate. You put a destination into the system and Tesla’s Trip Advisor tells you how much power you’ll have left by the time you get there, but it’s not uncommon to see the amount of power dwindle rapidly while you’re driving. .
Now some of that may be down to how fast you’re driving, but environmental conditions along the intended route can also affect efficiency and that’s what Tesla is trying to better account for with this update. up to date.
Although these factors can only explain a few percentage points of difference, it can be a big problem for some trips. Every percentage point counts when calculating efficiency and reach.
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