diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index b6bc1ba7f8..ca0fb48e76 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,11 +2,12 @@
 
 ## Features
 
+-   Experiments can be set to terminate when a voltage is reached (across all steps) ([#1832](https://github.com/pybamm-team/PyBaMM/pull/1832))
 -   Added cylindrical geometry and finite volume method ([#1824](https://github.com/pybamm-team/PyBaMM/pull/1824))
 
 ## Bug fixes
 
--   Experiments can be set to terminate when a voltage is reached (across all steps) ([#1832](https://github.com/pybamm-team/PyBaMM/pull/1832))
+-   Simulations with drive cycles now support `initial_soc` ([#1842](https://github.com/pybamm-team/PyBaMM/pull/1842))
 -   Fixed bug in expression tree simplification ([#1831](https://github.com/pybamm-team/PyBaMM/pull/1831))
 -   Solid tortuosity is now correctly calculated with Bruggeman coefficient of the respective electrode ([#1773](https://github.com/pybamm-team/PyBaMM/pull/1773))
 
diff --git a/pybamm/simulation.py b/pybamm/simulation.py
index a9a8a374cc..90fb70d38c 100644
--- a/pybamm/simulation.py
+++ b/pybamm/simulation.py
@@ -740,7 +740,9 @@ def solve(
                 raise ValueError(
                     "starting_solution can only be provided if simulating an Experiment"
                 )
-            if self.operating_mode == "without experiment":
+            if self.operating_mode == "without experiment" or isinstance(
+                self.model, pybamm.lithium_ion.ElectrodeSOH
+            ):
                 if t_eval is None:
                     raise pybamm.SolverError(
                         "'t_eval' must be provided if not using an experiment or "
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_simulation.py b/tests/unit/test_simulation.py
index df10bd76f0..64213ad73d 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_simulation.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_simulation.py
@@ -226,6 +226,21 @@ def test_solve_with_initial_soc(self):
         sim.solve(initial_soc=0.8)
         self.assertEqual(sim._built_initial_soc, 0.8)
 
+        # test with drive cycle
+        drive_cycle = pd.read_csv(
+            os.path.join("pybamm", "input", "drive_cycles", "US06.csv"),
+            comment="#",
+            header=None
+        ).to_numpy()
+        timescale = param.evaluate(model.timescale)
+        current_interpolant = pybamm.Interpolant(
+            drive_cycle[:, 0], drive_cycle[:, 1], timescale * pybamm.t
+        )
+        param["Current function [A]"] = current_interpolant
+        sim = pybamm.Simulation(model, parameter_values=param)
+        sim.solve(initial_soc=0.8)
+        self.assertEqual(sim._built_initial_soc, 0.8)
+
     def test_solve_with_inputs(self):
         model = pybamm.lithium_ion.SPM()
         param = model.default_parameter_values