Electric cars are an exciting new motion in the auto industry. From their environmental benefits to their cost efficiency, there’s a lot to celebrate about the future of electric cars. If you’ve ever thought about buying an electric car, you may have wondered about the range of capabilities.
On average, an electric car can go 200-250 miles on one charge. How many miles an electric car can go is dependent on multiple factors like the size of the battery and the year it was built.
If you’re searching for an EV but want to know how far they can go on one charge, we can help. Along with the charge range, we’ve put together some of the most helpful details about electric cars including what can affect an EV’s range.
How Far Can an Electric Car Go on One Charge?
On average, an all-electric car can go 200-250 miles on one charge. However, newer models from high-end manufacturers can go as far as 600 miles on one charge now. EV range is projected to continue increasing in the coming years. Currently, almost every electric car from the 2022 model year being sold in the U.S. has an EPA-tested range of over 200 miles.
But what causes the differences in range? The length of the range depends on factors like the size of the car’s battery and how new the vehicle is. Additionally, how well you care for your car and the weather can also play a role in how much range you’ll get out of an EV.
EV range is different from hybrid vehicles in a number of different ways, but it’s important to also highlight the differences in range. Hybrids can typically run for about 50-60 miles in electric mode. So when it comes to EV vs. hybrid range, EVs are the clear winner.
Batteries have a finite lifespan, so understanding battery health may help you get the most range capacity. Level 2 and Level 3 chargers are considered heavy-duty, and to ensure battery health will fast-charge to 80% capacity and slow down for the remaining 20%. This is called the “grace capacity.”
Over time, as the battery is charged, depleted, and recharged, grace capacity and driving range can start to dwindle. Charging station speed, frequency of recharging, and the age of the battery also factor into battery performance. While all EV batteries have an 8-year warranty, some loss of capacity and driving range over time is to be expected.
What Can Affect an EV’s Range?
Now that you know how far an electric car can go on average, it’s helpful to also understand what can affect range when considering the reasons to choose an EV. Knowing these factors can help you choose an electric car that will give you the longest range and also help you properly care for your EV.
Some of the top factors that affect electric car range include:
- Battery size: The capacity of the battery is the number one factor that informs range. The higher capacity the battery contains, the longer the range will be. Another key piece is the battery life. As a battery gets older, it slowly loses charge potential. However, the rate of degradation is only about 2.3% per year, and with proper maintenance, it can be even lower. Additionally, federal law requires automakers to ensure EV batteries for at least eight years or 100,000 miles.
- Weather: When the weather changes and temperatures drop or climb rapidly, electric vehicles can temporarily lose a significant amount of their advertised range. This is because an EV uses electricity to power climate controls, which can put a big strain on the battery. This is especially true for temperatures below freezing. You can preheat the car while it’s still plugged in, though the overall effects of cold on range are unavoidable.
- Acceleration: Another important factor in EV range is how you drive and care for your car. Quick acceleration is a big selling point, as many EVs can jump from zero to 60 mph in less than 5.0 seconds. But taking advantage of that acceleration can greatly reduce the range of your electric car. The key is to drive smoothly and consistently to achieve the best range as well as keeping up with EV maintenance and fluid upkeep.
How Long Does it Take to Charge an Electric Car?
Electric cars work by connecting the EV charge port to a power grid known as a charging station. Once connected to the charging station, electric cars use their charging port and onboard charger to convert the external power into battery charge.
The time it takes an electric car to charge can be as little as 30 minutes or more than 12 hours. But on average, an electric car (60kWh battery) takes just under 8 hours to charge from empty to full with a 7kW charging point.
How long it takes to charge an electric car can be explained by looking at the different levels of charging equipment:
- Level 1: Approximately 5 miles of range per 1 hour of charging and requires a J1772 connector. It requires no special equipment and is typically done at home, though it can quickly provide charging for most of your driving needs.
- Level 2: Approximately 25 miles of range per 1 hour of charging and requires a J1772 connector or Tesla connector. Level two is also typical for home charging and uses a 240-volt plug which needs to be installed by an electrician.
- Level 3: Approximately 100 to 200+ miles of range per 30 minutes of charging and requires a CCS connector, CHAdeMO connector, or Tesla connector. Level three charging can deliver up to 100 miles of power in about 20 minutes of charging. These are the commercial charging stations you’ll see in parking lots and around town.
How long it takes to charge an electric car will depend on the capacity of the battery, the type of charging port, and the speed of the power output. But let’s talk about how top-up charging can affect the time it takes to charge. Top-up charging is when the driver charges the car when it’s not fully empty. Instead of letting the battery run empty and waiting while it recharges fully, drivers make use of the time their car is parked to keep the battery topped up. This means that the majority of the time, you won’t be charging from empty to full which will decrease the time it takes to charge your EV.
Can You Drive an Electric Car Across the Country?
One of the biggest concerns around electric cars is known as “range anxiety” and refers to the stress over charge range. It’s true that switching to electric will mean you’ll need to plan ahead for long-distance travel, though it’s completely possible to travel cross-country with an EV.
Currently, charging stations are much less available than gas stations, though there are efforts to greatly improve EV charging infrastructure by 2030. If you’re considering driving your electric car across the country, be sure to plan your charging stops ahead of time based on charging station locations. It’s also a good idea to know your range capacity and consider changes in temperate that could affect power.
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