Evaluation of historical electric vehicle (EV) driving data to suggest improvements in driving efficiency

Increasing the operating distance (range) and, in particular, the accuracy of charge state/remaining range displays is very important for battery electrical vehicles (BEVs) to gain market penetration and satisfy customers. Battery drain of BEVs is dictated to a great extent by external conditions (elevation profile, outdoor temperature, precipitation), internal factors (consumption of appliances like A/C, heating) and the individual style of driving. The high variation caused by these factors is, however, not considered in most range displays of current BEVs. This was the main motivation for us to examine data from a large database of real-world BEV trips and to take into account a lot more influencing parameters than any other similar project before. Our analysis revealed, for instance, that the average battery drain nearly doubles between trips driven at moderately warm versus cold outdoor temperatures. Preliminary results allow 1) to optimize accuracy/precision of remaining range displays and 2) to use the information with a gamification approach to motivate drivers to drive more economically.