How far can an electric car go on one charge? [May 2023 updated]

Range of Electric Cars and Growing Consumer Adoption

In 2022, electric car sales exceeded 10 million units globally, marking a 55% increase compared to 2021. This growth highlights the increasing popularity of EVs worldwide.

Despite this progress, many people still worry about the limited range of electric cars. Our Mobility Monitor report reveals that around 40% of potential EV buyers are concerned about not finding a charging station when needed and fear running out of power on the road.

While understandable, this concern is largely unfounded. Most EV drivers rarely approach their vehicle's maximum range in a single day.

How Far Can Electric Cars Go?

As of December 2022, the average EV has a range of 348 km (216 miles). However, the actual range depends on various factors, such as the vehicle model, battery size, driving habits, and environmental conditions.

It's worth noting that EV range has improved significantly over the years. In 2011, only three EV models were available, with ranges of 100-150 km (63-94 miles) on a full charge.

Longest Range EV

Currently, the Lucid Air Dream (Range Edition) holds the record for the longest range. Under moderate driving conditions, the real-world range is estimated to be 685 km (425 miles).

Factors like driving style, temperature, and road conditions influence the actual range of an EV. For example, the Lucid Air Dream Range Edition claims a minimum range of 505 km (313 miles) on the highway in cold weather and a maximum range of 960 km (596 miles) in mild city conditions.

Top-5 EVs with the Longest Range

Curious about other EVs with impressive range? Here's a quick rundown of the top five models:

 

Shortest Range EV

On the opposite end of the spectrum, which EV has the shortest range? Generally, smaller vehicles with limited space for batteries tend to have shorter ranges. For example, the Smart EQ fortwo Cabrio, a compact two-seater city car, offers a range of just 95 km (59 miles) on a single charge.

The Growing Range of EVs

Just a decade ago, the best-selling EV, the Nissan LEAF, had a maximum range of 160 km (100 miles). Today, the updated 2023 Nissan Leaf boasts a range of up to 341 km (212 miles). Similarly, the Hyundai Kona, Volkswagen ID.4, and Kia EV6 offer ranges of 400-500 km (249-310 miles).

Why the improvement? Battery technology has advanced significantly, becoming more powerful and affordable.

Battery prices have fallen dramatically over the past decade, making EVs more competitive with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. Experts predict that EVs will reach cost parity with gas-powered cars by 2026.

What Affects the Driving Range for EVs?

While battery size is the primary determinant of an EV's range, other factors play a role too. Driving speed, acceleration, temperature, and the use of electrical features like air conditioning or heaters all impact how far you can go on a single charge.

Driving Speed

Faster driving and aggressive acceleration drain the battery more quickly.

Temperature

Colder temperatures reduce battery efficiency, leading to shorter ranges.

Electrical Features

Using electrical features like heating or cooling decreases the total distance an EV can cover on a single charge.

To illustrate these factors, Renault offers a tool called ZOE e-Tech Electric, allowing users to simulate driving conditions and see how battery capacity changes.

Best EV Range

While an EV range of over 600 km (372 miles) is achievable, it doesn't necessarily mean it's ideal for everyone. A good range meets the driver's needs.

Range is a crucial consideration when choosing an EV, and many potential buyers weigh this carefully before purchasing. However, the range isn't the sole deciding factor.

Range Should Match Your Driving Behavior

The vast majority of people don't come close to exhausting their vehicle's range in a single day. For instance, the average American drives about 59.5 km (37 miles) daily, while Europeans drive even less.

Moreover, charging an EV is different from refueling a gas-powered car. You can charge overnight at home or during the day at work, reducing range anxiety.

Manufacturers have also introduced features like the Driving to Empty (DTE) metric to alleviate range concerns.

What Is DTE?

DTE stands for Driving to Empty and represents an estimated range based on current driving conditions. It's essentially how far you can go before the battery is depleted.

Since DTE is an average estimate, it's not foolproof. Factors like driving style, temperature, and additional electrical usage can alter the range. If your DTE shows you can barely make it to the next charging station, it's best to adopt an energy-efficient driving style.

Do Electric Cars Lose Range Over Time?

Yes, but not as much as you might fear. Most EV batteries retain around 70-80% of their original capacity after 10-15 years or 100,000-200,000 miles. It's more likely that the battery will outlast the car itself.

Contrary to popular belief, EV batteries don't suddenly fail. They degrade gradually over time, losing only a few percent of capacity annually. On average, this amounts to a 2.3% decrease per year.

For example, if you buy an EV today with a 350 km (217 miles) range, after five years, the accessible range will drop by about 40 km (24 miles).

To reassure customers, many manufacturers offer battery warranties of 8-10 years, surpassing the typical 5-year warranty for internal combustion engines.

Find Out More About EV Charging

Driving an EV differs from driving a gas-powered car in many ways, especially when it comes to charging. Explore our comprehensive guide to learn everything about EV charging: costs, time required, preferred charging locations, differences between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 charging, battery longevity, and understanding cables, plugs, and connectors.