If you’re new to electric vehicles, or even if you’re not, why not join us for a quick chat about their range? Understanding the finer points of EV range is important to determine if they are the right type of vehicle for you, or if you already own one, this will help you get the most out of your EV.
Let’s discuss how far an EV can go on a charge.
How Is Electric Car Range Measured?
In the US, we know the most relevant car-related measurements are expressed in miles (speed, distance, fuel range, etc.). TheUS Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) says an EV’s range is the total number of miles it will travel before needing to be recharged. Simple enough.
The measurement of EV efficiency differs slightly from that of traditional internal combustion-powered cars. However, the general concept is the same. The EPA says EV and PHEV efficiency is reported in terms of miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe). MPGe represents the number of miles an electrified vehicle can go using a quantity of electricity with the same energy content as a gallon of gasoline.
How Far Can an Electric Car Go?
For those who like cut-and-dry answers to questions, one isn’t available on the topic of EV range. Why? Because it’s affected by too many factors. TheUS Department of Energystates that driving conditions, driving habits, and the use of climate controls all affect EVs' actual range.
EVs offer varying ranges depending on their size, their body style, and the capacity of their battery. Some vehicles weigh less, some offer larger batteries, some are more aerodynamic, and others have more features that require more power to operate.
It may seem obvious that a small EV would offer a better electric range than a full-size pickup truck, but that is not the case. For example, the Mazda MX-30 offers only around 100 miles of all-electric range. In contrast, a nearly five-ton GMC Hummer EV can go an EPA-estimated 329 miles on a single charge, although it needs a battery that’s about seven times the size of the Mazda’s to achieve this (246 kWh vs. 35.5 kWh total capacity).
What is Considered a “Good” EV Range?
Most internal combustion-powered vehicles in the US can go about 300 to 400 miles before needing to refuel. Ideally, electric cars will go the same distance, if not further, than their gas-powered counterparts. This would be ideal to help convince prospective buyers thatrange anxietyis a thing of the past.
Bloombergsays the average range of an electric car sold in the US is nearly 300 miles between charges. Any EV with over 300 miles of range is considered good. The Lucid Air,one of the most efficient electric vehicleson the market, currently offers 516 miles of all-electric range, the highest EPA-estimated range of any electric car on sale.
What Affects EV Range?
Several things make EV range better or worse. For example, proper vehicle maintenance, optimizing driving behaviors and charging, and good weather all make an EV’s range better.
Things that make an electric car’s range worse include poor tire condition, extreme heat or cold temperatures, and battery degradation, which all hinder a battery’s operation. However, you shouldn’t worry because there areways to improve your EV’s range.
It’s Important to Understand How Many Miles an Electric Car Can Go
While the average total range for EVs has drastically increased and continues to increase, infrastructure and charging times are other factors dividing public opinion on how ready we are for EVs. Ideally, it would take the same time to charge an EV as it would to refuel a gas-powered vehicle. We’re not there yet, but that doesn’t mean EVs are bad, just that you still have to make some concessions to own one.
Still, it’s difficult to answer exactly how many miles an electric car can go on a charge because no two EVs are the same.
Even the same EVs may offer varying ranges depending on where you live, the weather, how you drive, and how you take care of your vehicle. EPA estimates of an EV’s range are a great benchmark to consider, but it’s up to you as the driver to make the most of your vehicle’s all-electric range.
Q: Do Electric Cars Charge While Driving?
Although there are many theories tocharge EVs on the road while driving, currently, EVs typically charge by plugging them into a charging station. However, there isa technology known as regenerative brakingthat allows electric cars to partially recover energy while driving. Regenerative braking captures some of the kinetic energy when you apply the brakes and converts it into electricity to recharge the car’s battery.
Q: How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?
The time it takes to charge an electric car depends on several factors, including the car’s battery capacity, the charging power, andthe type of charger used. Fully charging an EV can take anything from 30 minutes to 20 hours.
Q: How Long Does the Battery of an Electric Car Last?
Electric car batteries typically last 8 to 15 years, depending on factors like battery chemistry, usage patterns, climate, and maintenance. Generally, your EV batteries should last a good 200,000 miles before you even start thinking aboutreplacing your EV batteries.
