Electric Car Range: How Far Can Electric Cars Go?
The typical range for today’s Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) is roughly 150 to 400 miles. However, exactly how far an Electric Vehicle (EV) can travel on one charge depends on various factors, including battery capacity, battery state of charge, battery health, vehicle efficiency, driving habits, climate, and more.
The higher end of EV ranges can take you as far as most gas-powered vehicles, but advancements in battery technology are still improving how far EVs can go on a single charge. Let’s explore some key points to keep in mind when discussing and comparing the range of electric cars.
How far can an electric car go on one charge?
As mentioned, EV ranges largely depend on battery capacity and any other parameters that may diminish range. Today, the driving range for most EVs falls between 100-500+ miles when the battery is fully charged. In most cases, the two primary factors determining range are battery capacity and vehicle efficiency. Here are a few examples to demonstrate:
● A very efficient five-passenger car with a 77.4-kWh battery has EPA range of up to 361 miles, while a less-efficient, five-passenger car from a different manufacturer has a larger 87-kWh battery but lower EPA range of up to 304 miles.
● A midsize, five-passenger, rear-drive crossover EV with a 91-kWh battery, offers up to 310 miles EPA range, while a full-size 4WD pickup from the same manufacturer needs a 131-kWh battery to reach a similar up to 320 miles EPA range.
● One of the least-efficient five-passenger vehicles has a 246-kWh battery and EPA range of up to 298 miles, while one of the most-efficient five-passenger vehicles uses an 88-kWh battery to provide up to 419 miles range.
Examples taken from individual manufacturer specs.
All of this to say, even if two vehicles have the same battery size, it's not a guarantee that they'll have the same driving range.
As technology continues to improve and more efficient EVs are developed, these range averages are expected to increase, allowing drivers to enjoy lower energy consumption.
How long do EV batteries last?
The lifespan of an EV battery largely depends on the quality and design of the battery, how often it is recharged, what charging rate is most frequently used when charging, and the operating conditions of the vehicle.
On average, most EV batteries are designed to last 12-15 years or up to 200,000 miles, but, as it is with ICE vehicles, your mileage may vary.
Many manufacturers warrant the battery pack for the government-mandated 8 years or 100,000 miles. About 15 states require a longer warranty, up to 10 years or 150,000 miles. Note that many EV battery warranties are similar to those used for solar panels, with the warranty covering a percentage of power after so many years, e.g. 70% at 8 years or 100,000 miles.
As with any type of battery, constant use can depreciate its lifespan, shortening an electric car’s driving range over time. High temperatures, frequent Level 3 charging, and deep discharges (regularly running the battery nearly all the way down) can also accelerate the degradation process and reduce battery capacity.
Factors that affect EV range
The most significant factors that affect the range of an electric vehicle are the capacity of its battery and vehicle efficiency. Essentially, the larger the battery capacity, the more energy it can store, the farther the car can travel on a single charge — all other things being equal.
However, these are not the only factors affecting EV range. Other aspects that can impact the mileage of an EV include:
● Vehicle size: Larger and heavier vehicles require more energy to move than smaller, lighter cars. If a bigger car is equipped with a battery of the same capacity as a smaller car, the smaller car will almost certainly have more range.
● Tires/wheels: Larger wheels and low-profile tires may have aesthetic appeal or handling benefits, but they can hurt range.
● Outside temperature: Extremely high or low temperatures can affect the range of an EV. For example, batteries are less efficient in cold temperatures and need to be heated to maintain their performance. Regularly heating the battery requires additional energy, which can impact the vehicle’s range. Where cabin heating is often a byproduct in combustion-engine cars, electric vehicles use more battery energy for heating.
● Aerodynamics: A car designed to be more aerodynamic will encounter less air resistance and therefore require less energy to move. The energy savings become greater as speed increases, resulting in a longer range.
● Terrain: Driving uphill or on rough terrain requires more energy and, if done regularly, will reduce the expected range of an EV.
● Battery health: Experts claim that most EV batteries will last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles, so it’s unlikely your car battery will need to be replaced in the time you own your EV — particularly if you buy new. But batteries do degrade and get less efficient over time, negatively impacting range.
● Driver habits: Driving at higher speeds and accelerating quickly both depletes batteries more quickly than less aggressive driving, so opting for a less aggressive approach on the road can help conserve range. If you’re not maximizing regenerative braking, you’re leaving miles on the table, too.
What battery and electric motor numbers to look for: kWh for the battery and kW for the electric motor
When shopping for EV options, you’ll want to look for two measurements in particular: kWh and kW.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the unit used to measure the amount of energy stored in a battery, just like gallons measures the size of a fuel tank in a traditional vehicle. Generally, the higher the kWh value, the more energy the battery can store, and the longer the vehicle’s electric range. Note that this is sometimes shown as maximum battery capacity and sometimes as maximum usable battery capacity.
Kilowatt (kW) is a measure of the rate a system can use electrical power, similar to the horsepower rating for a traditional ICE. The higher the kW power rating, the more powerful the motor.
Knowing the kW rating of the motor and the kWh rating of an EV battery can give you a clearer picture of how different EVs compare with each other and which is best for you.
What is range anxiety?
Range anxiety refers to the fear of an EV running out of power before the driver reaches their intended destination. It is a term used primarily in reference to people who feel that EVs have an insufficient range for daily needs and/or road trips, and that there’s a lack of charging infrastructure (either in the person’s hometown or in general).
It could be more accurately called charge anxiety, because most EVs are fairly adept at keeping the driver apprised of the range available and the more pressing questions become where is the next charger and is it available and working?
For people who live in rural areas, in multi-family housing (like apartments), or who have extremely long commutes, range anxiety can be justified.
But just as people have become accustomed to filling up their tanks regularly, range anxiety can frequently be mitigated by a little planning and, when possible, investment in home charging.
For trips around town, drivers should be aware of their vehicle’s charge via diagnostics on their dashboard (again, much like keeping an eye on how much gas is in the tank) or app. Road trips will require a little more planning in terms of where, how often, and how much will be needed to charge, but there are apps from manufacturers, charging networks, and third parties that can help plan your route, charging stations, and more.
EV manufacturers, charging network providers, and the U.S. government are all aware of range and charging anxiety and are actively developing ways to ease consumer concerns. In the meantime, EV options like plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) can help mitigate range anxiety while providing many benefits of battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
What EV range fits your lifestyle?
While the range of electric cars continues to increase, and the number of charging stations is growing, it is still important for drivers to carefully consider their specific driving needs before purchasing an EV.
You do not need the longest-range EV to reap the benefits of driving an electric vehicle. According to research for the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 52% of all daily trips in 2021 were less than three miles. For drivers in this category (or those with an abundance of charging stations near them) anything from a lower- to higher-range EV may be suitable to your needs.
PHEVs, which use battery-power for short distances (15-60 miles) before switching automatically to an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), are another great option for people who regularly drive short distances during the day.
If you regularly make longer trips or live in areas with limited charging infrastructure, longer-range BEVs or PHEVs are likely the way you’ll want to go. If charging is simply not feasible for you, opting for a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) will, at the very least, afford you better fuel mileage.
Go the distance with the Mazda EV Family
And if you prefer not to even think about charging your EV, choose the CX-50 Hybrid for a full hybrid option.
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This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is based on the latest competitive information available at the time of posting. Information herein is subject to change without notice and without Mazda incurring any obligations. Please review a variety of resources prior to making a purchasing decision. Visit Resource Center for more articles.