[Eli5] How can software updates in Electric Vehicles “unlock” more range. Isn’t range something that should be determined by the efficiency of the hardware?

Question

[Eli5] How can software updates in Electric Vehicles “unlock” more range. Isn’t range something that should be determined by the efficiency of the hardware?

In: 7

Answer 1

Remaining battery capacity is estimated by the voltage between the two leads. As a battery depletes, it’s voltage drops from a maximum to a minimum. Advanced systems “learn” how these values shift over repeated cycles, too.

All a software limiter has to do is base “0% remaining” off a higher-than-necessary “empty” voltage, limiting the depth of discharge the battery is allowed to reach.