MG4 EV 51kWh Traffic Efficiency

I have the 51kWh version, and I came to the conclusion to not use ACC when I try to achieve high efficiency. The PID on the MG4 cruise control is absolutely rubbish. What I mean, it is making very aggressive deceleration and acceleration, regardless what distance/sensitivity you set. As someone already mentioned above, that is not good for efficiency. It is not so obvious on longer trips, but my daily commute (about 15km one way) is a good example. Using ACC as much I can gives me a 13.5 kWh/100km consumption. Without ACC, same route, same conditions only 9.9kWh/100km.
Regeneration is set to A, as that is the most economical setting in my opinion.
I decided to get the smallest battery, because I'm using the car mainly in town, short trips. It is 100kg lighter than the 64kWh version. Having a slight inconvenience on longer trips, isn't an issue for me.

I completely agree with you. I find the ACC jerky and uneven, and I feel that I can drive much more smoothly myself. I think its main use is for speed limitation on the motorway, and similarly for keeping to the speed limit in the villages where it's 20 mph. I'm not that impressed with its "follow my leader" performance, on A roads, although again on the motorway it comes in handy.

I agree about the battery. It's exactly what you need if you aren't driving long distances daily, and it's absolutely capable of longer trips so long as you're not in too much of a hurry. I took mine on a 450-mile road trip in August and had no problems at all.

Buster72 said:

During the summer, the range was about 250 miles/400km according to the GOM. But now it is getting colder, that figure is closer to 200 miles/320 km.
Summer miles/kwh was was typically 4.4. But it has now dropped to 4.0.

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I've definitely noticed a big drop now we're in colder weather. I seem to get 3mi/kwh and the GOM says about 200miles max. Definitely a shocking drop and we're not even that cold yet. A bit worrying!

I drive with ACC a lot though. But drove 70 miles at 11pm the other night, no one else on the roads, and the GOM dropped a lot quicker than I was happy with. Left 55%, drove 70miles and arrived with 15% left. Maybe this is worth another thread instead of derailing this one...

Rolfe said:

I completely agree with you. I find the ACC jerky and uneven, and I feel that I can drive much more smoothly myself. I think its main use is for speed limitation on the motorway, and similarly for keeping to the speed limit in the villages where it's 20 mph. I'm not that impressed with its "follow my leader" performance, on A roads, although again on the motorway it comes in handy.

I agree about the battery. It's exactly what you need if you aren't driving long distances daily, and it's absolutely capable of longer trips so long as you're not in too much of a hurry. I took mine on a 450-mile road trip in August and had no problems at all.

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The way I use TJA is to relax on long journeys. I seldom accelerate past slower traffic, I set the speed limit to 60, and the only thing I play with is the distance from the car in front based on traffic flow and time of day.
I do set Adaptive regen and Eco power in an attempt to reduce its jerkiness.
In terms of economy I guess I could squeeze a .1 or .2 miles to to the kWh more, but then I’d be more tired.

RP67 said:

I have the 51kWh version, and I came to the conclusion to not use ACC when I try to achieve high efficiency. The PID on the MG4 cruise control is absolutely rubbish. What I mean, it is making very aggressive deceleration and acceleration, regardless what distance/sensitivity you set. As someone already mentioned above, that is not good for efficiency. It is not so obvious on longer trips, but my daily commute (about 15km one way) is a good example. Using ACC as much I can gives me a 13.5 kWh/100km consumption. Without ACC, same route, same conditions only 9.9kWh/100km.
Regeneration is set to A, as that is the most economical setting in my opinion.
I decided to get the smallest battery, because I'm using the car mainly in town, short trips. It is 100kg lighter than the 64kWh version. Having a slight inconvenience on longer trips, isn't an issue for me.

Click to expand...

One more fact to add, I have completely gave up changing driving mode, due to the awkward way to change it (I have used the star buttons already) so all my driving in "normal" mode.

Hi all, sorry for a long absence. I have had my software update not long after I post this thread, and surprise surprise, it is an issue of software. I can now be able to achieve 360km easily with aircon. My regen now works at 97%, so way better than before, which starts at 48%. The regen braking is the main issue. For charging speed, I think that is the problem with my station, as when I use other station, I can achieve 72kW speed, but I haven't really been using other station as that one is closest to my home, and I now have a wall charger. But nonetheless, my problem has mostly been solved. Thank you all for your help and enthusiasm. It has all been very helpful for me.

My problem now lies with the safety features that is mostly not suitable for Indonesia. I just got hit by a motorcycle yesterday because there is a jaywalker (extremely common in Indonesia unfortunately) and my car thinks that I will hit her (which is not true, she wasn't even in front of my car, still on the side) and brakes from 40 to 0 km/h. I now have a dented bumper, broken reflector, and plastic covers that could not fit the bumper. Bummer. But that is for another thread I suppose. Other than that, the other features are excellent. I use the ACC and LKA every time (in Indonesia, the SR gets the Trophy spec for the features and infotainment).

RP67 said:

I have the 51kWh version, and I came to the conclusion to not use ACC when I try to achieve high efficiency. The PID on the MG4 cruise control is absolutely rubbish. What I mean, it is making very aggressive deceleration and acceleration, regardless what distance/sensitivity you set. As someone already mentioned above, that is not good for efficiency. It is not so obvious on longer trips, but my daily commute (about 15km one way) is a good example. Using ACC as much I can gives me a 13.5 kWh/100km consumption. Without ACC, same route, same conditions only 9.9kWh/100km.
Regeneration is set to A, as that is the most economical setting in my opinion.
I decided to get the smallest battery, because I'm using the car mainly in town, short trips. It is 100kg lighter than the 64kWh version. Having a slight inconvenience on longer trips, isn't an issue for me.

Click to expand...

The experience with me is very different. In traffic, it seems that the car has better efficiency compared to me. But I think my leg needs to be educated then lol. My commute daily almost reaches 100km, and with the traffic condition, I can hardly use the ACC and LKA every time. I only use them in motorway, even that has abysmal traffic. I never achieve that 9.9kWh/100km, which I would love to, but stop and go traffic with everyone trying to cut you off is a worse situation, I think. Especially as I have to keep my AC on to keep me from getting fried under the summer sun.

Hi, I would like to buy an MG 4 electric of 51 kWh which is a good deal for me because I can charge it at home from solar panels and also from work. I do make once a year a vacation trip of 720 km, with a break at 360 km away, do you think is feasible to be done? In one portion of the road there are no chargers. So, I need to make it through 360 km combined motorway and city. I wouldn't like to buy the 64 kWh because is too expensive for my pocket. Any comments are welcomed! Thank you!

dannyg3081 said:

Hi, I would like to buy an MG 4 electric of 51 kw which is a good deal for me because I can charge it at home from solar panels and also from work. I do make once a year a vacation trip of 720 km, with a brake in at 360 kw away, do you think is feasible to be done? In one portion of the road are no chargers. So, I need to make it through 360 km combined motorway and city. I wouldn't like to buy the 64 kw because is too expensive for my pocket. Any comments are welcomed! Thank you!

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360km is a definite no go for the 51kWh version.. you'll need a single stop to top up

@dannyg3081
To be clear, the journey from "here" to "there" is 720km but for a section of that there are no chargers. Questions:
1) how long is that portion?
2) at your "destination", is there a 7kW charger or the possibility to plug in the granny charger?

Depending on how long that portion of the journey without chargers is, and the ability to charge at destination, the 51kW might be able to do it.

dannyg3081 said:

Hi, I would like to buy an MG 4 electric of 51 kw which is a good deal for me because I can charge it at home from solar panels and also from work. I do make once a year a vacation trip of 720 km, with a brake in at 360 kw away, do you think is feasible to be done? In one portion of the road are no chargers. So, I need to make it through 360 km combined motorway and city. I wouldn't like to buy the 64 kw because is too expensive for my pocket. Any comments are welcomed! Thank you!

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What time of year? I doubt a 225 mile motorway stretch will be possible, especially in the winter.

Hopefully more chargers will be online soon on this stretch!

Is there a way you can request/recommend one to the government or companies?

fnegroni said:

@dannyg3081
To be clear, the journey from "here" to "there" is 720km but for a section of that there are no chargers. Questions:
1) how long is that portion?
2) at your "destination", is there a 7kW charger or the possibility to plug in the granny charger?

Depending on how long that portion of the journey without chargers is, and the ability to charge at destination, the 51kW might be able to do it.

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Hi, at the end of destination is CCS charger, so no problem. Basically I want to drive from Romania, through Bulgary, with final destination Greece.

Bam Bam said:

What time of year? I doubt a 225 mile motorway stretch will be possible, especially in the winter.

Hopefully more chargers will be online soon on this stretch!

Is there a way you can request/recommend one to the government or companies?

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Is during the summer, at the end of June, most of the time I will be driving during 5 am to 12 noon.

dannyg3081 said:

Hi, at the end of destination is CCS charger, so no problem. Basically I want to drive from Romania, through Bulgary, with final destination Greece.

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And what’s the section of road you are talking about with no chargers?

dannyg3081 said:

Hi, at the end of destination is CCS charger, so no problem. Basically I want to drive from Romania, through Bulgary, with final destination Greece.

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I have a 720 km drive, the first 360 km is not a problem, because I can charge after 240 km easily. Then I need to drive for 109 km or 214 km, I would rather not stop after 109 km. And after a stop after 214 km, I need another ride for about 190 km. Basically I start in Brasov, charge between Romania and Bulgaria at vama customs after 240 km, I stop at Veliko Târnova (120 km from the border) with an overnight staying, then (if I ought to, I can stop at Stara Zagora: 109 km), then move on to Kardzhali (109 km) , from there move on to Keromoti Greece (169 km), take the ferry and get to Thassos my final destination. I need to mention that I am going to stay overnight at Veliko Târnova, so I am planning to leave with a full 100% battery. What do you think? My only worry is what if a charging station is malfunction. Thank you!

fnegroni said:

And what’s the section of road you are talking about with no chargers?

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In between Veliko Târnova and Kardzhali, I am not sure if I can count on the one from Stara Zagora.

dannyg3081 said:

I have a 720 km drive, the first 360 km is not a problem, because I can charge after 240 km easily. Then I need to drive for 109 km or 214 km, I would rather not stop after 109 km. And after a stop after 214 km, I need another ride for about 190 km. Basically I start in Brasov, charge between Romania and Bulgarian at vama customs after 240 km, I stop at Veliko Târnova (120 km from the border) with an overnight staying, then (if I ought to, I can stop at Stara Zagora: 109 kw), then move on to Kardzhali (109 km) , from there move on to Keromoti Greece (169 km), take the ferry and get to Thassos my final destination. I need to mention that I am going to stay overnight at Veliko Târnova, so I am planning to leave with a full 100% battery. What do you think? My only worry is what if a charging station is malfunction. Thank you!

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I don't know if the chargers are particularly unreliable in that region or anything like that. I have limited experience of Tesla charging in Wales, otherwise always charged at home.

But ABRP seems quite confident you can do it with three charging stops:

Or, if you can charge overnight then it only seems to require one 18 minute stop:

Bam Bam said:

I don't know if the chargers are particularly unreliable in that region or anything like that. I have limited experience of Tesla charging in Wales, otherwise always charged at home.

But ABRP seems quite confident you can do it with three charging stops:

ABRP

A Better Routeplanner is the world's most popular consumer EV routeplanner - both for beginner and experienced EV drivers. And of course for anyone curious about EVs.

abetterrouteplanner.com

Or, if you can charge overnight then it only seems to require one 18 minute stop:

ABRP

A Better Routeplanner is the world's most popular consumer EV routeplanner - both for beginner and experienced EV drivers. And of course for anyone curious about EVs.

abetterrouteplanner.com

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Thank you!

A quick look at that section of road shows that there are a couple chargers within a 220km stretch.

I don't know how reliable they are, but at an average 5.6 km per kWh (which is a conservative estimate on the MG4), then 220km will use 40 kWh, so if you start that section at 90%, you should be able to reach at least one of the chargers.
You can put the car in power saving mode for the whole of it and quite possibly exceed that by some margin.

fnegroni said:

A quick look at that section of road shows that there are a couple chargers within a 220km stretch.

I don't know how reliable they are, but at an average 5.6 km per kWh (which is a conservative estimate on the MG4), then 220km will use 40 kWh, so if you start that section at 90%, you should be able to reach at least one of the chargers.
You can put the car in power saving mode for the whole of it and quite possibly exceed that by some margin.

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Thank you!

dannyg3081 said:

Is during the summer, at the end of June, most of the time I will be driving during 5 am to 12 noon.

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Hi Danny, can you give me a contact, I'm in your situation with a car bought from Germany and registered in Romania, in regards to international warranty!