How far can an electric car go on one charge | Primecom

If you're wondering how far an electric car can go on one charge, the answer is simple: it depends.

There are two main factors that contribute to how far your car will go on one charge: how much energy the battery can store, and what kind of energy source is powering your car.

The first factor is easy to understand—the more energy a battery can store, the further it will take you. This is because batteries are like water balloons: they take in energy and use it to move things around inside of them. More energy means more power, which means more distance covered before needing another charge.

The second factor is also pretty straightforward—if you're powering your car with electricity from the grid or solar panels or wind turbines or whatever other kind of power source there may be, then your car will be able to travel farther than if you were pulling from a gas station's gas tank. This is because electricity has less mass per unit than gasoline does (so less material needs to be transported by trucking companies), meaning that it takes up less space and therefore uses less fuel for each mile driven--meaning that electric cars tend to use much less fuel than gasoline-powered ones do!

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HOW MANY MILE CAN AN EV GO ON A FULL CHARGE?

According to the UC Davis Plug In Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Research Center, the average figure for the distance you can travel on a single charge is 250 miles (as of this writing, June 2022). Some models have a lower range, others can go 350 miles or more. But what is the cause of this variation in autonomy? Why don't all EVs have the same mileage after a charge?

The answer depends, among other things, on the size of the battery of an electric car and how recent the vehicle is. Driving behavior and the weather also play an important role in the range of an electric vehicle once it is charged.

Data collected by the Electric Vehicle Database shows that there is a big difference between the lowest and highest average range for an electric car on a single charge. At the bottom of the scale is the Smart EQ forfour, which averages a real-world range of 55 miles, though it can reach 90 miles in ideal conditions. At the top of the scale, the Lucid Air Dream Edition R has an estimated average range of 430 miles.

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Most mid-range vehicles have an average range of 200 to 300 miles, at the time of this writing. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) estimates people drive an average of 13,476 miles per year or about 36 miles per day, making midrange EVs more than enough to meet the needs of typical daily driving.

It's worth noting that almost all of the EVs on the market at the time of writing that boast the highest numbers are expensive and likely not what most drivers are looking for in terms of range. . Most people who buy an electric car today will get something closer to the average figure of 250 miles from the UC Davis Research Center. As battery technology improves, we will likely see average battery life increase over the next few years.

It's also important to note that these mileage estimates are for fully electric, battery-powered vehicles. Hybrid cars that switch from a gas tank to a battery for fuel will have higher average mileage.

WHAT CAN AFFECT THE RANGE OF AN EV?

Multiple variables, from weather to battery size, can affect the range of an electric car.

Cold weather, for example, drains the battery of an electric car more quickly because the liquid component becomes viscous and the reactions that produce electricity slow down. Integrated battery heating and cooling systems help alleviate this problem, but potential EV buyers should be aware of this. The operation of the car's heating systems also consumes energy, as the electric motors do not produce their own heat like a gasoline engine would.

The size of the battery pack of an EV is decisive for its autonomy. The larger the battery pack, the more lithium-ion cells there are to store the electricity that powers the motor. The more energy stored, the greater the range of the car. The capacity of an EV battery pack is measured in kilowatt hours, and the higher the number, the greater the capacity. The Lucid Air Dream mentioned above has a 118 kWh battery, while the Smart EQ forfour has a 16.7 kWh battery. Lucid Air's larger battery gives it greater capacity and therefore longer battery life.

Driving habits also have an impact on range. High-speed driving on the highway or rapid acceleration will drain the battery faster, as it requires extra power. On the other hand, frequent stops and starts give regenerative braking systems the opportunity to recover lost energy.

DO YOU NEED TO DRIVE AN ELECTRIC CAR TO THE END?

You should absolutely avoid completely draining the battery of an electric car. This will negatively affect battery capacity and shorten battery life. The optimal battery charge for an electric car is usually between 20 and 80 percent, so do your best to keep it at that level.

Fortunately, many modern electric vehicles come with alerts that let you know when your battery is running low. Some premium vehicles even alert you when you're near a charging station, so you can fill up when you're ready. You'll often be able to see how many miles you have left before the battery runs out, allowing you to recharge your vehicle before it breaks down.

Unlike a gas-powered vehicle, where you can sometimes go a few more miles when the gas light comes on, an EV is done when it hits zero. At that point, you'll be towed to a charging station, so avoid letting the battery run out. By refueling throughout the day or at home at night, you eliminate this problem.

HOW TO KNOW WHAT AUTONOMY TO LOOK FOR IN AN EV?

To find out what kind of range you need, calculate the number of kilometers you cover per day and go from there. Will the average range of the EV you want meet this need? If so, he's a good candidate.

Consider the charging infrastructure you have nearby. Will you have access to public charging stations? Can you refuel at work? Charging at home overnight? If it's too difficult to charge where you live, longer range won't mean much.

Read More: WHAT ARE THE SAFEST ELECTRIC VEHICLES YOU CAN BUY?

What is the climate where you live? If it is very hot or very cold, you will have to take this into account because it will reduce your autonomy at least a little.

Finally, be aware that the battery of an EV degrades over time, which means that it loses part of its initial autonomy. Chances are it's not a huge number - it's usually something like five percent in the first few years - but it will happen. Take the estimated initial range, calculate ten percent of it, then subtract that number from the initial range and see if it still meets your needs.

These factors together should let you know if range will be an issue for you when driving an electric car. People often find that they can get around with an electric vehicle with no problem, but it's always best to do your homework to avoid unpleasant surprises (and high costs).

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