What I don't understand is why the car didn't use route information in range estimates (assuming they entered their destination). It would have known about elevation changes. If getting map information from Navteq then it could also know about average speeds and historical traffic patterns.
It could also have given more driving guidance. I didn't see how they came up with 63mph, but the car itself should know about energy-speed tradeoffs could have told them a more appropriate speed to go.
And if knowing they wouldn't reach a charger it could have had them stop closer to somewhere that could help, or direct the AAA equivalent to them for the moment they ran out.
People keep mentioning the mental effort of electric cars for these issues, but the car itself can address those and do so far more effectively.
They started out with a ~15% margin. How close is acceptable?
Behind the scenes the mileage estimates are really a central number with error bars. In this case the electronics could definitely have come up with better numbers based on altitude changes. And it definitely could have given guidance on speeds to maintain whatever margin is comfortable.
It could also have given more driving guidance. I didn't see how they came up with 63mph, but the car itself should know about energy-speed tradeoffs could have told them a more appropriate speed to go.
And if knowing they wouldn't reach a charger it could have had them stop closer to somewhere that could help, or direct the AAA equivalent to them for the moment they ran out.
People keep mentioning the mental effort of electric cars for these issues, but the car itself can address those and do so far more effectively.