How far can an electric car go?

By 2024, there will be more electric vehicles (EVs) available than ever before, including the Range Rover Electric, the Hyundai Ioniq 7 and the Volvo EX30. As electric vehicle sales increase, ownership becomes more mainstream and widespread. Now EV shoppers have many options, from simple sedans to luxury cars and powerful SUVs to electric pickup trucks.

If you have a company that installs EV charging stations, you need to know about EVs. For example, how far can electric cars drive on one battery charge?

Many solar energy installers are too installing EV chargers as a way to upsell customers and provide a value-added service.

Many potential EV drivers worry about charging their EV batteries on the road because it is more difficult to charge a car than to refuel it. Unfortunately, range anxiety can be a problem for your customers.

Because battery electric vehicles rely solely on power from the batteries, they need to be charged periodically. This is often approximately equal to or less than the distance a conventional vehicle can drive before needing to refuel. However, a number of factors can also influence the range of electric cars, such as ambient temperatures, topography, battery pack capacity, battery condition and driving style.

The average range for an electric car is currently just over 200 miles (320 km), but range is gradually increasing in newer models as battery technology advances. However, EV ranges vary widely between manufacturers and models. For example, a quick search of manufacturers’ websites shows that the 2024 Tesla Model S travels about 400 miles, while the 2024 Nissan Leaf has a range of 150 miles.

Many automakers offer standard, extended, or long-range options with a larger EV battery pack at an additional cost. For example, the Polestar 2 has the standard 69 kWh battery, while the long-range version has an 82 kWh battery. However, longer-range versions of electric vehicles have higher costs.

More and more companies are starting to add electric vehicles to their corporate fleets, sometimes to help meet carbon emissions reduction goals. A big selling point is that the cost of owning an electric car is lower than a conventional car because it requires less maintenance and provides fuel savings. Depending on the required range of the vehicle, some models are not suitable for commercial use.

Because an EV’s range varies depending on the model, you should first research the EPA-rated range. Please note that real-world driving conditions can also affect the vehicle’s range, which will generally reduce the range.

Over time, the range of new BEV models has increased significantly. For example, the first-generation Nissan Leaf had a range of about 85 miles with a 24 kWh battery, compared to the standard 40 kWh battery with a range of 150 miles that is now available. And as battery technology advances, the range of future electric vehicles will likely increase accordingly.

When traveling long distances it is often necessary to charge at a commercial EV charging station. As charging infrastructure improves, there will be more public charging options than ever before and these options will likely increase over time. Now shopping centers, parking garages, workplaces, business districts and even some multi-family buildings have charging stations.

Charging times for EVs vary largely depending on the type of charging station and battery capacity. For example, Level I EV battery chargers use a standard wall socket and charging can take 24 to 48 hours. In contrast, most Level II chargers take about 5 to 10 hours to fully charge a dead electric car battery, making them much more attractive.

DC fast chargers are the fastest option available and some can fully charge a battery in minutes instead of hours. However, regular use of a fast charger can lead to battery deterioration, causing the battery’s capacity to decrease slightly over time.

For this reason, Level II chargers have become popular for home use, and many EV drivers install these chargers at home. Currently, DC fast chargers are unaffordable for most homeowners, so they are usually only available commercially.

There are several factors that influence the range of an electric car. Key determining factors include the vehicle’s battery capacity, driving efficiency and the use of regenerative braking. In addition, factors such as aerodynamics, weight, road conditions, use of climate control and outside temperatures can influence the range of an electric car. Maintenance practices, tire pressure and driving habits also play a role in determining how far an electric car can go on a single charge.

Temperature: Unfortunately, EV batteries do not perform as well in cold conditions, reducing the vehicle’s range by up to 20% in colder temperatures.

Heat and AC: When the heater, seat heater or air conditioning is on, especially at full power, the vehicle’s range is reduced. If battery life is an issue, it is helpful to have the heat or AC on low.

Vehicle speed: Driving at higher speeds, such as over 100 km/h, will reduce the driving range.

Loading capacity: Excess weight in the vehicle also shortens the range. If possible, avoid carrying heavy objects and cargo.

Driving style of electric car: Fast acceleration and fast driving reduce the range of EVs. So accelerate gradually if possible.

Battery deterioration: As batteries age, they become less effective at holding a charge. If possible, avoid exposure to extremely high temperatures when parked and avoid fast charging unless absolutely necessary, such as on a road trip where charger availability may be scarce.

As EV batteries ageThe vehicle’s range decreases due to battery degradation. However, most EV manufacturers offer a battery warranty for a certain number of kilometers. For example, many offer an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on the battery, guaranteeing at least 70% of original capacity.

When purchasing a used EV, it is essential to consider how deterioration may have reduced the EV’s range. Also, the battery warranty is an important consideration when purchasing a used EV, as some out-of-warranty battery repairs are expensive.

To improve the range of your EV, you need to optimize several factors that influence energy efficiency. Here are some tips to help you reach the maximum distance with your electric car:

Efficient Driving Practices:

• Avoid rapid acceleration and heavy braking.

• Maintain a constant speed.

• Use regenerative braking to recover energy while decelerating.

• Prepare your EV while it is still plugged in to minimize the use of heating or cooling while driving.

• Use heated seats and steering wheel instead of heating the entire cabin.

• If possible, park in a shady spot or lower the windows to reduce the need for air conditioning.

Drive at moderate speeds:

• Higher speeds result in greater air resistance, which reduces efficiency.

• Use cruise control on highways for constant speed and efficient driving.

• This technology converts the vehicle’s kinetic energy back into electrical energy during braking, which charges the battery.

• Some electric cars have varying levels of regenerative braking, with higher levels allowing greater EV driving range.
  
  

Yes, heat pumps in electric vehicles (EVs) can help increase range in cold weather. Traditional electric resistance heaters are less efficient at low temperatures and use more energy from the battery to heat the cabin. Heat pumps, on the other hand, are more energy efficient because they transfer heat from the outside environment to the inside of the vehicle.

Here’s how heat pumps can help increase range in cold weather:

1. Energy efficiency: Heat pumps use a refrigeration cycle to extract heat from the outside air, even in cold conditions. This process is more energy efficient than electric resistance heaters, which convert electrical energy directly into heat.

2. Reduced battery consumption: By using a heat pump, EVs can heat the cabin with less impact on overall energy consumption. This results in reduced stress on the battery and helps maintain a longer driving range in cold weather.

3. Cabin preconditioning: Some EVs with heat pump systems allow you to prepare the cabin while the vehicle is still plugged in. This means you can heat the interior using power from the mains, rather than relying solely on the electric car’s battery once you start driving.

Electric cars are generally most efficient at lower speeds. This is because higher speeds result in greater aerodynamic drag, which requires more energy to overcome. The optimal speed for efficiency varies by EV model, but driving at moderate speeds, such as 50 to 80 km/h, generally provides better energy efficiency and longer driving range.

While EVs were an anomaly a few years ago, they are becoming much more mainstream and gaining in popularity. Now, most automakers have at least one electric vehicle on the market, while many automakers have several. Some of the leading electric car manufacturers include Tesla, Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, Rivian, BYD (in China), Lucid and Nissan.

While electric vehicles are a great way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, charging them with renewable energy helps them further slow climate change. Solar energy installations and electric vehicles therefore form an excellent combination.

Would you like to know more about GreenLancer’s EVC design and engineering services? We have a range of services for EV charging station contractors, including permit plan kits, PE stamps and technical assessments.

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