EV1 Power Usage

The PWR USE Meter

The EV1 flourescent dash display includes a vertical 11-bar meter. The GAGE switch toggles this meter between showing battery state-of-charge and current power use (PWR USE).

Unfortunately, in the PWR USE mode the meter is not calibrated. Nor is it linear. Here is a table that maps the readings from this meter to more meaningful units:

If this bar is lit Then the power draw is greater than

11 ° HI 50 kW

10 30 kW

9 20 kW

8 12 kW

7 8 kW

6 ° 4.5 kW

5 2 kW

4 1 kW

3 500 W

2 100 W

1 ° LO 0 W

Nominal EV1 System Loads

Here are some nominal loads as given in the EV1 service manuals:

System Nominal draw

Braking 50 W

7 controllers 70 W

Headlights 200 W

Low A/C 400 W

Rear defogger 450 W

Windshield heat 700 W

Max A/C 1.7 kW

Motor, 55 mph, 70F, level road 7 kW

Motor, max accel, 70F 118 kW

Power steering pump 1200 W (max)

Charging Powers

If the EV1 is left in RUN mode while charging, the PWR USE meter shows charging power relative to the maximum capability of the charger (6.6 kW for the standard charger, 1.2 kW for the "convenience" charger). (Thanks to Greg Hanssen for this info.)

bar 11 full power

bar 6 half power

bar 5 1/4 power

bar 4 1/8 power

bar 3 trickle

If this bar is lit	Then the power draw is greater than
11 ° HI	50 kW
10	30 kW
9	20 kW
8	12 kW
7	8 kW
6 °	4.5 kW
5	2 kW
4	1 kW
3	500 W
2	100 W
1 ° LO	0 W

System	Nominal draw
Braking	50 W
7 controllers	70 W
Headlights	200 W
Low A/C	400 W
Rear defogger	450 W
Windshield heat	700 W
Max A/C	1.7 kW
Motor, 55 mph, 70F, level road	7 kW
Motor, max accel, 70F	118 kW
Power steering pump	1200 W (max)

bar 11	full power
bar 6	half power
bar 5	1/4 power
bar 4	1/8 power
bar 3	trickle