How much does preheating reduce range should you be parked where you can't charge the EV overnight? What's the range like when driven like a "normal" car of a similar size in a similar way?
Not wanting to derail this thread...... but since you asked, I'll just share some of my experience. Do tag me in any EV related thread.
My EV is a Nissan Leaf 24kWh, the first-gen ones made in UK (slightly improved to very first gen Japanese ones). PCP started at 3 years old for 3 years. Battery life is at 95%, can drive ~70 miles in winter and ~90 miles in summer. I pay £115 per month on this top-spec Leaf and get 2 yr free servicing, 1 yr Nissan warranty, 2 yr EV components warranty left, also free home charger install. I drive 60 miles commute, this costs £30 pm in electricity. So in total it costs under £150pm. The diesel I traded in costs £160-180 just in fuel for the same commute.
Pre-heating while not plugged-in only works for 15min (plugged in it goes for 2 hours). The car is warm within 5min, that uses around 3 miles, this is what I usually do when leaving work. But I don't think 5min pre-heat is enough to melt the ice....... if we extrapolate that to 15min, it'd probably use 7-8 miles due to cabin reaching temperature so heater power can be reduced. 15min will definitely melt the ice, that's sometimes when I get into my car in the morning.
The 70 miles winter range is when driven spiritedly at below 40mph roads (eg traffic light GP, use the EV's instant torque for fun, can match Audi S3, Focus RS 0-30mph) but driven timidly on motorway (think 60mph cruise, slow down rather than overtake when encounter slower car uphill). People have reported 50 miles absolute worst case (-5c winter, toasty cabin, 70mph all the way). Unlike ICE cars, with this tiny battery EV, power delivery is 100% from stand still but feels like a lemon after 50mph. It's intended as local runabout for 2 car family, you'd still need an ICE car for any long distance travel. The new Leaf 40kWh is said to do 110 miles in absolute worse condition, close to 200 miles in ideal condition. It's just-about passable for those who very occasionally drive long distance by using rapid chargers that recharge back to 80% within 40min to allow you to continue your journey, 1:30 hr motorway hop between breaks. Daily driving, range isn't an issue, just plug it in at night.
Because I drive 60 miles a day, 25 miles EV range PHEV at extortionate price don't really work. We occasionally need a second car, so might as well run EV as second car. But now, the EV is our main car gets driven every day, because it is far cheaper to fuel and much, much nicer to drive. Once I can buy a Tesla Model 3, I'll be replacing the ICE car with an EV.
EV servicing can be cheaply easily DIY'd, there are so little to service: only cabin air filter and brake fluid every 2 years on the Leaf, everything else is general inspection. No powertrain related stuff need maintenance, there is very little moving part. The battery degradation is very gradual and visible, won't strand you in the road. At current rate, I'd expect our Leaf to last until at least 10 years old and still able to do 40+ miles locally, perfect for school runs. £9000 car gets used for 7+ years with less than £50 servicing every 2 years and costs 2p per mile in fuel...... I can't think of a cheaper as reliable secondary car, even if it has zero resale value afterwards.
100k miles Nissan Leaf taxi with near perfect battery health and still on original brake pads:
https://www.zap-map.com/electric-taxi-company-clocks-100000-miles-in-nissan-leaf/
Similar maths worked out by post #5 here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=247&t=1513170
