Electric car range: what should we expect?
Electric car range: what should we expect?
©Jae Young Ju/iStock
The range of electric cars is one of the most frequently discussed topics among potential buyers of green vehicles. Indeed, despite the development of dedicated infrastructures for this type of vehicle, it is not as easy to find a recharging point as it is to locate a conventional petrol service station. So what is the real deal with the range of electric vehicles?<br />
What is the average range of an electric car?
Among the most important purchase criteria is the range of an electric car, especially since this is a decisive factor that determines a vehicle’s usage. The calculation of electric range capacity is according to two parameters:
- The storage capacity of batteries: though this is currently between 15 and 100 kWh, many manufacturers are planning to produce batteries with higher storage capacities to offer consumers shortly in the future.
- Electricity consumption: expressed in kWh/100 km, it varies according to the weight and power of vehicles and the drivers’ driving style. For current models, the electricity consumption level is typically around 14 to 24 kWh/100 km.
Today, electric vehicles have an average range between 150 and 600 km in the WLTP cycle, a certification standard used to harmonise the global market. In real-life conditions, an electric car can travel between 100 and 500 km without recharging. This average range, which varies greatly depending on the model and several other factors, makes the electric car an ideal means of travel within cities and suburban areas.
What factors reduce the range?
A large number of parameters will reduce the range of electric vehicles:
- Sporty driving: driving style has a direct impact on the electricity consumption of eco-friendly electric vehicles. Like fossil-fuelled vehicles, aggressive or sporty driving leads to higher energy consumption levels, resulting in roughly a 10% reduction in range.
- The speed: speed also has a significant impact on the range of electric vehicles. The faster you drive, the more electricity you’ll consume, reducing the vehicle’s range capacity exponentially as the speed increases.
- Overuse of air conditioning: using the radio or headlights will have virtually no impact on the range of electric vehicles, but air conditioning is a very energy-intensive comfort feature. In both summer and winter, using air conditioning to cool or warm the cabin can reduce the range by around 10-30%.
- Cold weather: in sub-zero temperatures, electric car batteries discharge quicker and take longer to recharge. That is why winter is often synonymous with range drops for green vehicles.
- Battery wear: Like all batteries, those in electric cars will lose performance over time. This reduction directly impacts the range of a vehicle, often dropping around 10-15% within the first 5 years before stabilising afterwards.
How can the range of an electric car be increased?
It is possible to optimise the range of an electric car, thanks to a few easy-to-implement measures:
- Adopt a smooth and fluid driving style: eco-driving is one of the most effective ways to maximise the range of an electric car. Start it up gently, change the gears smoothly, anticipate braking and use the engine brake for better economical driving, which consumes little electricity.
- Reduce the speed: by reducing 10 kph of speed, it is possible to reduce the electricity consumption of a green vehicle significantly. Where possible, it is advisable to avoid the motorway and use secondary roads instead, so you can reduce the speed to gain more range.
- Maintain the car’s aerodynamics: open windows, roof racks, bike racks, trailers and other items that take away from the car’s aerodynamics will reduce its range. Uninstalling unused exterior automotive equipment is recommended and lighten the vehicle’s load weight to ensure optimum range.
- Utilise the programmable heating system: most electric vehicles come equipped with a programmable heating system.
While the range of electric cars remains a significant concern for future green-vehicle drivers, a few simple actions are all it takes to influence this parameter. In addition, manufacturers are constantly improving battery performance in order to offer ever more powerful and economical electric vehicles.
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