Why this happens
Range depends on many things at once, so a single bad day tells you little. A log with consistent fields lets you compare like with like and spot patterns, such as how much a pillion or rain costs you. It also gives you an early warning when range falls for no obvious reason, which can point to drag or battery ageing.
What you need
Tools
- Phone with a spreadsheet app or notebook
- Tyre pressure gauge
- Your EV's display or app
Materials
- None
Before you start
- Never write in the log or check the app while riding.
- Do not deliberately run the battery very low just to get a bigger data point.
- Keep the log factual; if you share it with a service centre, do not change past entries.
Step by step
- 1
Set up your log columns
Create a sheet with columns for date, start battery %, end battery %, distance in km, ride mode, pillion or load (yes/no), route type (city, open road, hilly), weather (dry, rain, hot), tyre pressures checked (yes/no) and notes. Keep it simple enough that you will fill it in every day.
- 2
Record consistently when parked
Note start battery percentage and reset the trip meter before your first ride, then note the end figures after the last ride of the day. Fill it in while parked, never while riding. Skipping days is fine; guessing numbers is not.
- 3
Add a calculated column
Add a column for km per percentage point: distance divided by (start % minus end %). If you know your battery's capacity, add a Wh/km column too: (capacity in Wh × percentage used ÷ 100) ÷ distance. Days with very small percentage changes are less reliable, so mark them.
- 4
Log for at least a month
Aim for 20 or more riding days. This gives enough variety of conditions to compare. Keep riding normally; the goal is to understand your real use, not to create perfect test conditions. Keep checking tyre pressure weekly during the month and note it, so tyre pressure does not hide other effects in your data.
- 5
Sort and compare
Use filters or sorting to compare groups: eco mode against sport mode, solo against pillion, dry against rain, city against open road. Calculate the average km per percentage point for each group. Only trust comparisons with several days in each group.
- 6
Look for trends over time
Make a simple line chart of km per percentage point against date. A steady drift downwards over weeks, with similar conditions, can point to falling tyre pressure, brake drag or battery capacity loss. A sudden drop suggests something has changed, such as a dragging brake or a new accessory.
- 7
Act on what you find
If pillion or sport mode costs a lot, plan around it. If range has dropped steadily, check tyres and brake drag first. If those are fine and range keeps falling, take your log to the service centre; real data helps them diagnose battery or motor issues faster.
How to tell it worked
You have a month of data showing which factors affect your range most, plus a trend line that warns you early about developing faults.
Stop and call a technician if
- The log shows a sudden, large range drop with no change in riding or conditions.
- Battery percentage jumps up or down suddenly between rides.
- Range falls steadily even after tyre and brake checks, especially if the vehicle is under warranty.
Questions
Can I use the app's trip data instead?
Yes, if your vehicle's app records trips. Export or copy the figures into your sheet and still add notes on load, mode and weather, which apps often miss.
Why do my results vary so much day to day?
Traffic, wind, temperature and stops all change from day to day. That is why averages over many days and comparison groups matter more than single rides.