Citroen AMI Electric in the ICE and SNOW - How does it cope in cold weather?

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ธ.ค. 2022
  • The Citroen Ami Electric Quadricycle can suffer from low power and extended battery charging times when the temperature falls below 5 degrees C. The normal recharging times are usually about 2.5 to 3.5 hours but in cold weather this can increase to up to 5 hours. The Ami's LiPoFe4 battery should not/cannot be recharged if the temperature falls below 0 degrees C.
    My 4.6 mile trip out in the snow (-1 deg C) used 7 miles of battery range and took 1hr 50 minutes to fully recharge to 46 miles range.
    The car was noticeably slower up the hills in this cold weather. I slowed to 9 mph on the steepest hill where I would normally being doing 15 mph. I was still able to achieve 28 mph on the flat. The car was not displaying any of the low temperature warnings which come on and further reduce speed to protect the battery.
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ความคิดเห็น • 62

  • @RustyGlovebox
    @RustyGlovebox ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This was a nice test for the car in the cold weather. Wasn't aware about the limitation of the batteries in the cold. Thanks for taking us along for the ride

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hi Lloyd, It's not even very cold yet and the range and charge times are compromised.

  • @MetalNeyth
    @MetalNeyth 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Thanks for the video and the ride on your Ami, really lovely view for us on some other "not snowy" places of the earth.

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Fortunately we do not get too much snow.

  • @austinswallow
    @austinswallow ปีที่แล้ว +3

    You can tell that is a new car, the diligent treatment of hosing it down at the end of the trip! Thanks for sharing.

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah - that may not last too long!

  • @EleanorPeterson
    @EleanorPeterson ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Brrr! Back when I was a tiny little Elli and cars were cold, wet and miserable in winter, the traditional birthday or Christmas gift for the driver of the household was a real chamois leather, a woolly hat (bobble optional), and a pair of driving gloves. Looks like it's time to start dropping hints, Doug...😁
    Without a petrol engine chucking out waste heat things look chilly, but would turning off the Ami's heater/blower help extend its cold-weather range to any significant degree? 🤔 Incidentally, a cold driver is usually more alert than one snuggled down in cosy climate-controlled luxury with a heated backside and a toasty-warm steering wheel...
    P.S. - Someone elsewhere in the comments objected to your 'unnecessary' use of indicators; he's missing the point entirely. Signals are for the road users that you DON'T see, not the ones you're aware of. Your considerate driving is much appreciated by this (north of England) cyclist.
    On a wet, snowy, icy, or semi-salted slippery road I need all the warning I can get from drivers, so thank you for giving a toss, Boss! 😁

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks Elli - Definitely need to wrap up warm to drive the Ami.

  • @ccooper8785
    @ccooper8785 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Very informative video 👍 It does make me wonder how these have been performing over winter in central France where it gets much colder, for longer than here in Scotland. I would definitely consider one of these if my transport requirements were purely local.
    Many thanks for posting your experiences.

  • @DownHillCol
    @DownHillCol ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I was sold on these until I’d seen yours trying to get up a small hill!! I don’t think it would make it on the hill I have to use to get home 🙈 great vid though I quite enjoyed going for a ride to the shops with you 😂

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yes, the Ami does have its flaws! Great fun around town but not good on hills or in the cold.

  • @stumpusMaximus
    @stumpusMaximus ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Nice. Though I suspect when slush piles get channelled in the road it wouldn’t be advisable to hit them! It’s bad enough in a 1.6 ton car, the Ami is liable to be very unpredictable in it’s deflected directions…..😮 try tomorrow when todays snow has melted and frozen overnight. I know here in Edinburgh it’s probably going -3 or -4c

  • @Toby_the_Glen
    @Toby_the_Glen ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I'm amazed that we are still not required by law to fit winter tyres in the winter? As they do in europe. Winter tyres make such a difference!

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I like to use "all-season" type tyres on my cars. However we do not get as much snow as alpine areas of Europe.

  • @gregbennet5560
    @gregbennet5560 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I want one just for that big orange bag hook.

  • @niallsommerville9941
    @niallsommerville9941 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    That's not so bad really and you know what to expect now. Quality road testing that you probably won't get from the Balearics, horizontal sleet and gale force side wind tests to follow?

  • @changsimon4800
    @changsimon4800 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Citroen Ami would jump to another level If put a simple headliner there.

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว

      The glass roof does collect a bit of condensation.

  • @LoulousCorner
    @LoulousCorner ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Aww man...... April can't come soon enough! I really can't wait to get mine.

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hopefully it will be a bit warmer by April - the Ami does not like the freezing weather.

    • @LoulousCorner
      @LoulousCorner ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @What's going on in Doug's Shed? Yeah, it'll be nice to enjoy the first part of the year with decent weather to help adjust. But freezing weather.... not looking forward to that learning curve 😆

  • @benday1218
    @benday1218 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    coped very well!

  • @Purly
    @Purly ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Ever since it's gotten below 10c my Rocks-E's been acting different. At 25km left it beeps and starts turtling for 1km and then speeds up again. It will start to turtle again between 11-15km, which is earlier than in summer, where it starts between 5-8km. It also shows much longer charge times. Last monday it still showed 1 and a half hours left when I unhooked it, but the display showed 71km range when I started it up. Just like yours it has a little more trouble with hills. The regenerative braking also seems to kick in later than in summer. I'm used to it kicking in at around 70km range, now it starts at 65. It's my first electric car, and only my second car in total.

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It sounds like your battery pack reaches its first low temperature warning as you drive. Eventually the battery will self-heat as it discharges and raise the temperature enough for full power before cooling again?

  • @kimmo6498
    @kimmo6498 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    We have a universal seat cover for sale in Finland with 12 volt electric resistor. It costs around €15 and needs cigarette lighter plug to work. I would guess that it would be nice to sit on a warm bench on cold day. Just now in Turku Finland is -8 deg celsius and snowing.

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I now have a separate 12 volt 50 Ah auxiliary battery which I can use to power higher powered accessories such as heat pads, fans and an inverter.

  • @paulrhodes6975
    @paulrhodes6975 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good video. Hope you are being recompensed for grocery product placement!

  • @parkview113
    @parkview113 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for a useful insight - plus the tip to wash off at the end ... people seem to be shocked or ill-prepared for the drop in performance and longer recharge times in cold conditions ... reading the French sites they seem apopleptic about it... ! Good use could be made of powerbank in these conditions if travelling a distance ... (vehicle would need to be stopped to use the powerbank to recharge..) . Interesting to see whether a winter ttyre is manufactured for the tyre size... (I always have winters on and with seperate rims though living in Sussex - Oct-April on a Volvo XC70 AWD). So pleased I have my Optimate 3 all hooked up to the Ami's 12v when ever vehicle not in use . Numerous surprised French owners finding their quad's "dead" through lack of use in cold conditions... thanks for the insight. Bill in Sussex. (took delv'y of a Pop on Nov. 5th. and just been e mailed for the Halo Dashcam by Citroen Insurance - ( unfortunately my roof blind will preclude fitting where your similar unit is fitted)

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Hi William, I knew that the cold battery would be a bit of a problem. I'm working on installing a battery heater. I will probably fit an auxiliary 12v battery to power the battery heater when on the move. In the garage the heater can be powered by a 12v power supply. There seems to be quite a few 155/65 r14 all-season and winter tyres available.

    • @parkview113
      @parkview113 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@DougsShed Thanks for your response Doug... best position to be in, (which I am not), is to have a heated garage ... I guess if one's garage is "close" to the house, running c.heating plumbing and a rad to the garage is the best option - would not be prohibitive... have seen a heat pad on one of the Citroen F book sites mooted... did you see that ? Just a couple of days ago... also the consideration of keeping the battery charged not less than 20% and not more than 80% is a factor that is worth considering - applies to powerbanks and ANY battery - if you want to increase battery overal longevity

  • @hebogara
    @hebogara ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Try a longer trip, car will beep at a moment and slow significantly down when the battery is still about 30% full in this cold weather. It looks like a early turtle mode.

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I look forward to experiencing the "bleep" and reduced power.......

  • @stevemccormack9948
    @stevemccormack9948 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    A tough cookie

  • @parkview113
    @parkview113 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Doug. if you have time see the You Tube presentation : " The Truth Abourt Electric Cars/Dispatches/Channel 4 Documentaries. made by : Channel $ Documentaries - highlights that 20%-80% range I was referring to - but you are probably already aware ...

  • @afqferreira
    @afqferreira ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The big question is:
    How will the Ami frame deal with salted roads without any Anti corrosion treatment?
    In my opinion in just 3 ou 4 years the metallic frame will be corroded and the engine may also suffer some king of malfunction.

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That is why I have treated mine with "Lanoguard" a lanolin based coating (a bit like "Fluid Film" in the US).

  • @thorbjrnhellehaven5766
    @thorbjrnhellehaven5766 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm very curious about how it will charging when it gets colder. Something about -5 °C for battery temperature.
    Maybe one might try to add some heater to the battery, to allow charging and improve power.

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I'm in the process of installing a battery heater.

    • @thorbjrnhellehaven5766
      @thorbjrnhellehaven5766 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@DougsShed I hope you are making a video about that.🙂❤️

    • @thorbjrnhellehaven5766
      @thorbjrnhellehaven5766 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@DougsShed I'm looking at my (current) car right now. Cabin is -2 °C and outside is -3 °C.
      That's half past noon. Was probably a bit colder in the morning.
      In January/February I expect some days to be even colder. -15 °C or even -20 °C is not unheard of, but pretty rare. But we want to be able to charge and use the car every day/night.

  • @worzysp1
    @worzysp1 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Man this is so cool.
    28mph mmmm
    Is this something a bicycle 🚲 could ride pass you???
    Then how could you drive this on roads!!!???
    Please help me out
    Can people run 🏃‍♂️ that fast.
    I only need/ and use in England winter months.
    Rain wind snow
    So 8 months of the UK
    What roads can I use

  • @Logical_Election
    @Logical_Election 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Winter tire is used or not ?

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      We do not get enough snow & ice to justify winter tires. From December to March I will limit the Ami's use to 'good' weather.

  • @nickyjames8550
    @nickyjames8550 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Why does 28mph look so fast in an Ami 😅

    • @BrutalHonduras
      @BrutalHonduras ปีที่แล้ว

      The smaller the car, the faster it looks. Similar to how F1 cars look slower now than they did 20 years ago. They got a lot bigger.

  • @lookoutleo
    @lookoutleo 3 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Hows doug getting on with his ami

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  7 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา +1

      Now done 4700miles

    • @lookoutleo
      @lookoutleo 6 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

      @@DougsShed do you still use it every day ? I remember you had a strut top bearing fail, have you had any other problems. Was thinking getting one as a fun wee runabout here in Oban . They look great fun

  • @cosmodoc
    @cosmodoc ปีที่แล้ว +1

    surprised you didn’t have to wear gloves?

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว

      I'm surprised I didn't have my gloves on as well!

  • @thegodgamer436
    @thegodgamer436 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    45 no 28

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      45kph = 28mph

    • @thegodgamer436
      @thegodgamer436 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@DougsShed oh ok i didn't know that

  • @mmigesh4735
    @mmigesh4735 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Steering one-handed! Clever. Unnecessary use of indicators.

    • @DougsShed
      @DougsShed  ปีที่แล้ว +6

      It's a skill! It's not a BMW

    • @angusbuchan.
      @angusbuchan. ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Where unnecessary? all needed to indicate change of direction and intention to slow down and pull off the road as far as I see.

    • @niallsommerville9941
      @niallsommerville9941 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@gilburton I suspect Gus's remark is a bit tongue in cheek ;-)

    • @parkview113
      @parkview113 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      petty nonsense and again persuading me to stop reading comment posts... !

    • @EleanorPeterson
      @EleanorPeterson ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Oh, come now, Mister Migesh SMIDSY! There's no such thing as unnecessary use of indicators on public roads.
      The point of indicating is to show others your intentions. You don't signal for the benefit of yourself or the people you can see; you signal for the ones you don't see until it's too late.💥 Bikers, cyclists, human beings...🤭

  • @junejones7101
    @junejones7101 ปีที่แล้ว

    ✔️ 'promo sm'!