How far can a battery-powered vehicle drive on a single charge?

As the price of driving electric cars decreases and charging stations become more prevalent, an increasing number of people are contemplating purchasing an electric car. Undoubtedly, by 2030, it is anticipated that more than 145 million electric vehicles will be on the road.

It is natural for prospective EV drivers to have some reservations before investing. One significant aspect is range anxiety: slightly less than half of all potential EV drivers are concerned that they will be incapable of charging their car when necessary and run out of juice on the road.

This worry prevents many potential EV drivers from switching to electric transportation. While this anxiety is natural, our data indicate that the great majority of existing EV users have no difficulty charging their cars when they need to.

We want to answer one of the most often asked issues about range in this blog: "How far can a battery-powered vehicle drive on a single charge?" Regrettably, there is no correct answer to this issue, as it is dependent on various things. However, we can provide you with an accurate summary and explain how range is affected and what you can do to increase it.

When EVs were in their infancy, the Nissan LEAF (the world's best-selling electric car at that time) had a maximum range of around 175 km. Fast forward to now, and Nissan has recently announced the launching of their newest electric vehicle with a range of 460 km. Further, the new Hyundai Kona Electric, Volkswagen ID.3, and Kia EV6 can go 300-500 kilometers on a single charge.

What is the primary reason? Batteries have improved in terms of capacity and cost. Batteries are the most expensive component of an electric car; however, their price has decreased significantly over the last decade. Bloomberg has reported that battery costs dropped from $1,200 kWh to roughly $125/kWh.

By 2023, the cost per kWh is predicted to fall below $100—a frequently cited figure as the threshold at which electric vehicles would achieve price parity with gasoline vehicles. Decreasing EV battery costs translate into lower prices for electric automobiles.

The range is critical for EV adoption since the primary hurdle for prospective EV drivers is a lack of trust in their ability to find charging stations. Therefore, the range is one of the primary considerations for drivers when contemplating going electric. However, there is no correct answer to how far an EV can travel, and the response varies somewhat reasonably dependent on the car's characteristics and the driving circumstances.

"Which electric car has the most extended range?" "What is the typical range of an electric vehicle?" and "Which electric vehicle has the lowest range?"

Which electric car has the most extended range?

Tesla now has the world record for the longest-range electric car: the Tesla Model S Long Range Plus has a range of 652 km. Tesla has been the market leader in terms of driving range since 2012, but whether they can maintain their lead relies on introducing their new Cybertruck, which is expected to have an 800+ km range.

Numerous rivals, including Mercedes, Ford, Jaguar, and Porsche, are vying for this prized championship. Additionally, manufacturing newcomers such as Amazon-backed Rivian, Silicon Valley-based Lucid Motors, Dutch long-range solar electric vehicle manufacturer Lightyear One, and Chinese market incumbent NIO are all edging closer to the number frequently cited as the ultimate barometer of EV technology: range.

What is known is that as batteries get more affordable, this figure will likely continue to grow until it reaches the range of a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) car.

What is the typical range of an electric vehicle?

Over the last decade, the average range of electric cars has progressively increased. However, in 2011, there were only three types of fully-electric vehicles on the market, with ranges between 100 and 150 km on a single charge. Today, that figure is far higher, hovering at 313 kilometers per charge.

Which electric vehicle has the lowest range?

As a general rule, the larger the electric vehicle, the larger the battery. Likewise, the converse is true. Due to the limited space available for a battery, compact city cars are intended to be nimble, economical to operate, and quick to park—but not for long-distance travel. The smallest range of an electric car we could locate was the Smart Fortwo EQ, with a range of 135 km on a single charge. On the other hand, a complete battery charge would take 40 minutes at a 22 kW charging speed—significantly less time than charging an electric car with a bigger battery.

What additional elements impact the electric vehicle's range?

The battery capacity is not the sole factor affecting an electric car range. The speed at which you drive, the amount of acceleration required, whether you use your air conditioning or heater, and the temperature outdoors all affect how far you can go on a single charge.

The driving speed.

The harder you drive or speed, the faster the EV's battery drains.

The weather.

The colder the outdoor temperature, the quicker the battery drains.

When using the air conditioner system or other electrically powered functions, the distance an EV can travel on a single tank is reduced.

Renault offers a great application for its ZOE e-Tech Electric that allows you to input driving conditions and watch how the battery capacity changes.

What is an acceptable range for an electric vehicle?

Simply said, a good range fits the driver's requirements. Therefore, the range is a critical EV parameter to consider when purchasing an electric car and one that many prospective EV drivers carefully examine before buying. However, the range is not the holy grail that many believe it to be.

The great majority of individuals never get close to driving their vehicle utterly flat in a single day, regardless of whether it is an electric vehicle or a gasoline-powered vehicle. For example, the average American travels 23,000 km every year, or around 62 kilometers each day. In Europe, this figure varies but is often less than half of what persons drive in the United States; individuals in Germany drive an average of roughly 19 km per day, while individuals in Greece drive as little as 5.6 km per day.

The simple conclusion is that most of our regular trips will fall well short of an EV's maximum range.

What exactly is DTE?

DTE stands for Driving on Empty, and it is the distance you can go before your battery runs out.

Because the range displayed is an average based on present conditions, forecasting future performance is always an estimate. This number is converted to a distance depending on how far you have driven on a single charge, the current level of charge, and driving circumstances.

This understanding is crucial for drivers, as there is no leeway with EVs. Once that number approaches zero, the electric car must be moved to a charging station. Unlike gasoline vehicles, roadside assistance cannot provide a tiny amount of fuel. An electric vehicle must be taken to a charging station—a process that is not inexpensive in terms of time or money and is also harmful to the vehicle's battery life.

Many electric vehicles make it harder to run out of the battery to prevent this scenario. For instance, certain premium electric vehicles assess your remaining range and alert you when you are about to leave the range of a public charging station. Others, such as the Nissan Leaf, enter Turtle Mode before entirely shutting down, slowing down to a speed of 50 km/h, providing the driver time to reach a safe location and summon assistance.

However, DTE is conditional on existing conditions. A hundred kilometers will vary if your driving style is altered or if you put on your heating and headlights. Keeping an energy-efficient driving style is essential if you are approaching empty and the DTE shows that you will barely make it.

Do electric vehicles ranges degrade with time?

Yes, but not as much as you believe or as quickly as you dread. According to current predictions, most EV batteries will last between one and two decades before needing replacement. And, contrary to common opinion, electric vehicle batteries do not suddenly cease to function. Rather than that, they gradually degrade over time, making it unlikely that you would require a replacement immediately.

A battery's capacity degrades gradually over time, with many reporting losses of only a few percent over several years. Although the average loss across all cars is considered, the loss averages out to 2.3 percent every year; for example, if you purchase an electric vehicle today with a range of 240 km, the battery will lose 27 km of usable range in five years.

To satisfy consumers' concerns, electric car manufacturers guarantee their battery, often between five and ten years or 100,000 km. 

Want to know how to extend the battery's life in your electric vehicle?