Earlier today, while scrolling through the Porsche Taycan Facebook group, I came across an interesting discussion that highlights a common concern among Taycan owners: achieving optimal range in real-world conditions. A new Taycan Turbo owner, Endrew Gardner, shared his frustrations about the vehicle's range after recently purchasing a 2022 Taycan Turbo with 45,000 miles on the clock.
"I just picked up my UK 2022 Turbo this week with 45,000 miles. Great car, but I’m struggling to achieve 200 miles fully charged. What am I doing wrong? Temperatures are around 10°C-13°C during the day. Heated seats are off, and the air conditioning is either off or set to low. I’m only using the radio and lights," Endrew posted.
This sparked an engaging conversation among other Taycan owners, shedding light on real-world range experiences and offering advice to improve efficiency.
Is 200 Miles Normal for a Porsche Taycan Turbo?
The first reply came from Dmitry Abeev, who found Endrew’s experience unusual. “Seems a bit off. I get 230 miles from my Taycan CT. It’s a Dec 2021 model with around 25,000 miles. It looks suspect unless it’s new to you and you’re driving like a nutter in the early days,” he commented.
Endrew quickly clarified, “Not really. I’ve been driving in Normal mode only, with just the occasional tap on the accelerator. I haven’t even tried Sport+ mode yet.” This highlights an important factor: driving style, even in Normal mode, can significantly impact the Taycan’s range, particularly for new owners who might still be adjusting to the car’s capabilities.
Tim Fielding joined the discussion, asking, “Are you on the smaller battery? That said, on my 4S, I’m only just over 200 miles per charge on the predictor. I managed to get up to 2.8 miles per kWh last Saturday—84 kWh x 2.8 equals 235 miles—but that was driving at a steady 50 mph on A-roads. Normally, I’m at 2.2 to 2.5 miles per kWh on short runs, even when driving carefully. Less than 2 if I drive spiritedly, which is less than 200 miles in range. You need to be driving distances carefully to get the best efficiency.”
Endrew confirmed that his Taycan Turbo is equipped with the Performance Plus battery, making his range concerns even more puzzling.
How Other Owners Are Managing Taycan Range
Several other owners chimed in to share their experiences and provide context for Endrew’s concerns. Alan Mounsay noted his 2023 Taycan Turbo in the UK achieves better range despite similar conditions. “Mine’s a ‘23 Turbo in the UK. I use the seat and steering wheel heaters, and it works out to 240 miles at 100%. It’s having an easy time driving right now because of the cold and wet conditions.”
Meanwhile, James Kelsey added another perspective from a similar discussion in the group. “My new Taycan, with an 83 kWh battery, fully charged, is showing only 200 miles.” While this initially appears similar to Endrew’s situation, Kelvin Lu pointed out that efficiency varies greatly depending on driving style, accessories, and conditions. “If it’s 83 kWh usable, that could be closer to 250+ miles. The most efficient tire/wheel combination should still get around 2.7 mi/kWh. I got 2.5 with three bikes on the roof of my Taycan,” Kelvin replied.
Endrew's experience is not unique, as other Taycan owners have expressed similar frustrations. In fact, a surprising number of 2022 Porsche Taycan owners have reported concerns with their vehicles, ranging from range inconsistencies to software glitches. You can read more about their shared experiences and insights here.
Choosing the right battery configuration is crucial for getting the most out of your Taycan, especially when range is a priority. If you're debating which battery option suits your needs, this detailed breakdown of the Porsche Taycan's real-world range and battery options is a must-read.
While Endrew and others are navigating the challenges of EV ownership, Porsche has been proactive in addressing customer concerns. For example, we know one owner who faced issues with his new Taycan, received generous compensation from Porsche—but still needed advice on what to do next.
Tips to Improve Your Taycan’s Range in Cold Weather
Winter weather and cooler temperatures can have a notable impact on the range of electric vehicles like the Taycan. However, there are practical steps owners can take to maximize their vehicle’s efficiency:
- Precondition the Battery: Use the preconditioning feature to warm the battery while the car is still plugged in. A warmed-up battery performs more efficiently in cold weather.
- Optimize Driving Style: Avoid aggressive acceleration and deceleration. Smooth, steady driving is key to increasing range.
- Use Eco Mode: Switch to more efficient driving modes such as Range or Normal, which prioritize energy savings.
- Minimize Climate Control Use: Heated seats and steering wheels are more energy-efficient than relying on the cabin heater. Also, consider keeping air conditioning at a lower setting or off entirely when possible.
- Maintain Tire Pressure: Properly inflated tires reduce rolling resistance, which can improve efficiency.
- Plan Your Routes: Highways and steady-speed roads are typically more range-friendly than stop-and-go traffic in cities.
- Monitor Energy Consumption: Keep an eye on the car’s consumption meter to understand how accessories like heated seats or the radio affect range.
Despite these range concerns, it's hard to deny that the Taycan remains a standout in the EV world. From its groundbreaking design to its exhilarating performance, many Taycan owners still view it as a true gem among electric vehicles.
Endrew’s experience is a reminder that EV range depends on a combination of factors, including driving style, road conditions, and external temperatures. While the Taycan Turbo is a high-performance EV, its range can vary significantly based on how it's driven and under what conditions. Discussions like these are invaluable for helping owners understand and optimize their vehicles.
To Endrew and other Taycan Turbo owners who might feel perplexed by range concerns, you’re not alone. With some adjustments and practical tips, it’s possible to extract more miles from every charge—even in colder climates. And, as seen in the experiences of other Taycan drivers, a range of 230–240 miles is achievable under the right circumstances.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.
Comments
In your article you state…
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In your article you state that steady constant speed driving is more efficient than stop start. That is categorically wrong. Stop start with the recuperation and no constant drain on the battery will get you better range. Motorway driving is what challenges an electric car
I'm in Australia and get…
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In reply to In your article you state… by Guy Fallowfield (not verified)
I'm in Australia and get about 400km (250miles ) per charge in a taycan 4s cross turismo.
recuperation is less efficient than coasting (due to losses in recuperation and then losses in accelerating again).
The increase in efficiency in stop start driving compared to ICE vehicles is due to recuperation but being able to coast (and maintain a steady speed) is still better than stop start all things being equal.
The loss of efficiency at motorway speeds is due to air friction. You would get greater range if you just drove steadily at 60kmph.
IMPOSSIBLE! Not only must…
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In reply to In your article you state… by Guy Fallowfield (not verified)
IMPOSSIBLE! Not only must the fact that it is easier - and, therefore, requires less energy - to cause an object to continue moving at any given speed than to accelerate the same object (especially from stop) to that speed... NO artificial energy conversion in the known universe is 100% efficient. In other words, one never gets back all of the energy that one expends by accelerating a mass and then slowing it back down.
The problem clearly is that…
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The problem clearly is that this car has an identity crisis. These crazy Germans gave it a battery instead of a turbo. How can it be called a turbo - and then not have one? 🤔 The wheel is round for a reason, because it works. So stop trying to reinvent it and confuse people in the process. If Porsche has an identity crisis, seek therapy.
There is nothing wrong with…
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In reply to The problem clearly is that… by Eric (not verified)
There is nothing wrong with the car but it is something wrong with the ownera of electric cars. These cars were made for speed & high performance driving. Not trying to achieve some imaginary # of miles on a battery. You have to understand that you bought an electric racecar. The problem is the drivers of electric cars need to realize what they are paying for is expensive experiments. You have to use that car like an animal or you never get anything out of it. Not maximum miles but FPG. Fun per gallon. This is the only thing that matters. Who cares about a slow car that goes far.
Cleary it is the turbo,…
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In reply to The problem clearly is that… by Eric (not verified)
Cleary it is the turbo, probably the bearings have failed
Does the author do ANY…
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Does the author do ANY research before writing an article?
The 2022 Prosche Taycan Turbo has an EPA range rating of 212 miles. Why is he surprised that a 2 year old EV with 45,000 miles is getting about 5% less range than its range rating was when it was new?
Sure some people get more range, and some get less. It's all about the conditions and your driving style. But to publish an article about being surprised that the range is basically what it's supposed to be borderlines the absurd.
If you were worried about…
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If you were worried about range loss you should have bought a Tesla Model S for about half the price - they actually know how to make an electric car. The Porsche does have a nice interior though. Pity about the battery and software.
Wow! A fast car that you…
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Wow! A fast car that you drive in Eco mode? Not!
Why buy a very expensive…
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Why buy a very expensive sports coupe that has to be driven like an old lady in a Prius?