So I finally got to try this trip to Big Bear. Left Santa Monica (near the airport) with 100% charge Friday night around 7pm, took the 10 West to downtown then the 60 East to the 215 North to the Inland Center Mall (500 Inland Center Dr, San Bernardino, CA, 92408). Arrived with 21% left. Charged using EVgo to 97% (took about 40 minutes) then drove up to Big Bear Lake. Arrived with 15% left in the battery.
Payload (2 people, 1 dog, 2 small carry-on suitcases) of approximately 320 lbs. Used A/C all the way (lowest fan speed) and drove at normal highway speeds ("normal" by LA standards), there was quite a bit of traffic for the 1st hour, but then it cleared up, with some places getting up to 75 mph, but it still took 2 hours from Santa Monica to the San Bernardino charger.
The "18 mile left" warning light came on about 22 miles from Big Bear lake. But I've done some elevation research before and I knew that the "climb" to Running Springs will be the biggest draw on the battery. The elevation gain for the last 15 miles is nowhere as bad.
My recommendation is to read the "fuel gauge" to come up with the % left in the battery, and have the navigation system programmed with your destination. As long as the % left is double your miles you should be okay.
So at Running Springs (where the 330 meets the 18), which is about 17 miles from Big Bear Lake, you should have about 36% left in your battery. Think of each "small tick" of your fuel gauge as 6% - each "bigger tick" as 12% etc. The "range estimator" on the dash is not very accurate.
If this is your first time, drive slow, make sure you have the PlugShare app. etc.
I hope this helps for anyone thinking about going to Big Bear. Let me know if you have any question.
John
Payload (2 people, 1 dog, 2 small carry-on suitcases) of approximately 320 lbs. Used A/C all the way (lowest fan speed) and drove at normal highway speeds ("normal" by LA standards), there was quite a bit of traffic for the 1st hour, but then it cleared up, with some places getting up to 75 mph, but it still took 2 hours from Santa Monica to the San Bernardino charger.
The "18 mile left" warning light came on about 22 miles from Big Bear lake. But I've done some elevation research before and I knew that the "climb" to Running Springs will be the biggest draw on the battery. The elevation gain for the last 15 miles is nowhere as bad.
My recommendation is to read the "fuel gauge" to come up with the % left in the battery, and have the navigation system programmed with your destination. As long as the % left is double your miles you should be okay.
So at Running Springs (where the 330 meets the 18), which is about 17 miles from Big Bear Lake, you should have about 36% left in your battery. Think of each "small tick" of your fuel gauge as 6% - each "bigger tick" as 12% etc. The "range estimator" on the dash is not very accurate.
If this is your first time, drive slow, make sure you have the PlugShare app. etc.
I hope this helps for anyone thinking about going to Big Bear. Let me know if you have any question.
John
