How Far Can You Drive in an EV? Dispelling the Myth of Range Anxiety
If you’re considering an electric vehicle (EV) for the first time, one of the most pressing questions on your mind is likely, “How far can I travel on a single charge?” It’s a legitimate concern, but it’s also one that’s often shrouded in a myth known as “range anxiety.” This fear is that an EV’s battery won’t have enough charge for drivers to complete their journey, leaving them stranded on the side of the road.
The truth is, range anxiety is becoming less of a problem in the UK as charging infrastructure catches up with demand, and battery technology improves. In fact, many EV drivers believe that range anxiety is an outdated fear, and that a more pressing concern is the lack of public charging points.
To put things into perspective, did you ever consider how many miles you could get out of a tank of fuel before buying your current petrol or diesel car? Probably not, because most car buyers look at the miles per gallon (mpg) figure when comparing different models. Similarly, with battery technology improvements, EV range will become less of an issue.
So, how far can you travel on a single charge in an electric car? The answer is, it depends on the model. Currently, you can expect anywhere from 100 to 300 miles of range from a fully charged electric car, depending on the battery size and vehicle model.
For example, the Nissan Leaf, the UK’s best-selling EV, boasts a range of up to 168 miles on a single charge with a 40kWh battery, while the Leaf e+ offers a range of up to 239 miles with a larger 62kWh battery. The Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S 77kWh model offers a range of up to 336 miles, while the Honda e can travel up to 137 miles on a single charge, and the Tesla Model S Long Range can travel an impressive 412 miles.
Despite these impressive figures, it’s worth noting that the actual range you’ll achieve may vary due to several factors. One of these factors is the age of the battery. Like the battery life of a smartphone, an electric car’s battery capacity will diminish over time, leading to a shorter range.
Other factors that can affect the range of an electric car include driving style, external factors such as topography and weather conditions, and the size of the battery. As a general rule, the larger the battery size (measured in kWh), the further you’ll be able to travel. However, larger batteries also mean extra weight, which is why some small EVs like the Honda e and Mini Electric are fitted with smaller batteries.
So, is range anxiety a legitimate concern for the average driver? The short answer is no. The majority of drivers can recharge their EVs at home overnight, which is the cheapest and most convenient way to recharge. Additionally, the number of rapid charging points is growing all the time, with over 10,000 connectors at 2,800 locations across the UK.
Finally, it’s worth noting that taking a break after driving for three hours is not only recommended for safety reasons but also gives drivers the opportunity to recharge their EV while stretching their legs.
In conclusion, range is an important factor to consider when buying an electric car, but it’s not the only one. Factors such as price, charging time, and miles per kWh should also be taken into account. As EV technology continues to advance, range anxiety will become less of a concern, and we’ll soon see electric cars that can travel even further on a single charge.