Interesting thread.
I have a story to relate, and a question. First, the question - does anyone know the SOC for the first low battery warning?
Yesterday I drove to Rosamond From Altadena over the Angeles Crest/Forest Highways before they closed it due to snow. I drove gently, used the heater a bit to clear the windows and for heat for several minutes at a time, so overall I would say ten minutes. I did preheat the cabin before leaving and left with 100% charge. I made it to the FCC (Destination) with one bar and my lowest number yet on the GOM, 4. Temp outside was below 50, much of it 44, lowest 30. Total distance 73.
On the return the fun started. No preheat, 100% charge and confidence since it is an elevation loss to go home. Drove 65 on the freeway into Palmdale, then slowed a bit as the rain started. Got to the turnoff for the Forest Highway and went up, missing a small sign that said road closed. Got to the barriers and had to turn around. No worries for me, not so much for my wife. Returned to the freeway after a short bit of Sierra Crest Highway, and played with the nav system, with it telling us we may not have enough range to get home. With the knowledge a Kohl's had installed a charger right off the freeway, I suggested dinner and a charge and while the downhill run had gained us enough energy the car now said we could make it home, we opted to eat and get a little L2, 30 seconds short of one hour. Temps for this trip were right around 40, but we did hit some hail on a downhill stretch.
Back on the freeway which was dry now, I again did 65 for a bit, lost a bar and reduced speed, realizing the hills ahead were going to take as much hypermiling as I could give them. Traffic was light so could do this with no issues, speeding up where I should to not impede traffic, slowing as much as 45 on one uphill with no traffic nearby. Didn't have to use the heat much, and did not preheat at the L2. Got home after logging 97 miles and a low battery warning as I left the freeway at my normal exit. 6 on the GOM as I entered the garage. We were glad we stopped for dinner, although by being conservtaive I think we might have made it without the charge if I had just kept my speed down and not stopped to charge, although the charger is very close to the freeway. I did thank the Kohl's manager and suggested marking the spaces for EV, since the two closest were ICEd, but the cord stretched easily to the next space which was open. It will reach four spaces so that was a smart install, but too close to the store entrance in my opinion. In a pinch I would have parked in the red on the other side of the island to get the charge, which would have worked too, but might have gotten me a ticket.
Battery had 5 bars on the temp. the whole time, normal is 6.