A CHEAP, EASY BOOST TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE ADOPTION: HIGHWAY SIGNAGE
August 7, 2020
State Vehicle Electrification Mandates and Federal Preemption
August 18, 2020ELECTRIC CAR RANGES: AN OVERVIEW
Most new EVs today go for 200+ miles on one charge – generally much much more than enough for a daily commute. By 2022, the average EV range is estimated to be 275 miles and by 2028, 400 miles. For most people, the range of EVs is more than enough for daily commutes. On top of this range, electric car batteries could last hundreds of thousands of miles.
With an electric battery, EVs can charge anywhere there is a normal 120v outlet – no more going to the gas station. However, you also might want to consider a level 2 EV charger at your home. About 1/3 of electric car drivers have rooftop solar, so their electricity is coming from sunshine – saving fuel costs as well as the environment. Learn more about charging your EV with solar panels.
Fast charging “level 3” stations (usually located near markets and restaurants) already enable charging up to 80% full in about 30 minutes, making EV road trips with fueling stops/meal breaks easy. Battery technology is quickly improving too – faster ways to charge your EV are currently being developed. Also, keep in mind that there are many free places to charge your EV plus that there are many ways you can keep your EV going during power shutoffs.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit leading the charge in the Beyond Gasoline Movement, it’s very important to us that consumers like you are well-informed about EVs. We have compiled an easy to digest list of 2020 EV ranges and price ranges.
Also, if you suspect you’re going to need every bit of juice, there are some ways you could extend an EV beyond its listed range – check out 6 ways below.
2020 Electric Car Range List
2020 brings better and more long-range EV options. Take a look at a sampling of what’s available in the US in 2020. You can also learn more about 2020 EVs in the US.
$29,000 – $35,000 List Price
Hyundai Ioniq Electric – 170 mile range
Mini Cooper SE – 110 mile range
Nissan Leaf – 150 mile range
$35,000 – $40,000 List Price
Chevrolet Bolt EV – 259 mile range
Hyundai Kona Electric – 258 mile range
Kia Niro EV – 239 mile range
Nissan Leaf Plus – 226 mile range
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus – 250 mile range
~$45,000 List Price
BMW i3 – 153 mile range
$69,000 – $80,000 List Price
Audi E-Tron – 204 mile range
Jaguar I-Pace – 234 mile range
Tesla Model S Long Range – 373 mile range
Purchasing An EV?
We collected some of the best resources on purchasing an EV and put them into an easy-to-use cheat sheet.
Simply enter your email to access the Purchasing An EV Cheat Sheet as well as sign up for other EV news and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox.
How To Maximize Your Electric Car Range
1. TIME YOUR CHARGE
To preserve battery life, you will want to only charge to about 80%. However, if you think you will need a full charge then try to time it so that it’s at full strength right before you drive.
Tip: Timing your charge for off-peak hours could also cut down on electricity bill.
2. DRIVE SMOOTHLY AT LOWER SPEEDS
EVs do best with city driving, not highway driving. Slower speeds with lots of braking and smooth, even starts will get the most miles out of your EV. If you are driving on the highway, avoid speeding. Also, avoid unnecessary fluctuations in speed.
3. MAXIMIZE REGENERATIVE BRAKING
Your electric motor adds charge when it slows the car down. You should enable your car’s maximum regenerative setting. Of course, use the brakes when necessary and when possible try to brush rather than slam the brakes.
Regenerative braking is a major advantage of electric battery powered vehicles over gas powered vehicles. This not only saves money on brake pad and rotor maintenance, but also will help recharge the battery while the car is slowing. Essentially, instead of hard-braking and using conventional friction to slow or stop, your car can recover energy from the vehicle’s forward motion, using the kinetic energy to charge your car. Though usually regenerative braking only adds 10-15% more range with city driving and a negligible amount with highway driving, under optimum conditions such as an extended trip downhill, regenerative braking can recharge your vehicle up to 50%. Over time, this can really add up. Learn more about regenerative braking.
4. TRAVEL LIGHT
Don’t keep unnecessary weight in the trunk. Also, avoid unnecessary items on top of your car. Unused roof racks and even flags ran affect the aerodynamics. A study on internal combustion engine cars showed that a roof rack can affect fuel efficiency by as much as 25%.
5. TAKE CARE OF YOUR TIRES
Make sure they are properly inflated according to the recommended PSI by your car’s manufacturer. The right level of inflation can vary with temperature as well, so pay attention to the weather.
6. USE YOUR HEATER AND AC SPARINGLY
With cold, your EV range will be better if you rely on the heated seats and heated steering wheel instead of running the car’s heater. You can pre-heat too while the car is plugged in. With hot weather, opening the windows can save energy but affect aerodynamics, especially at higher speeds. If you’re ok with just the fan, great. If not, then the windows are the second best option over running the AC if you want to achieve maximum efficiency.
Do You Want To Learn More About Ev Batteries?
If you want to learn more about EV batteries or get the most out of your EV battery, there are some tips in this guide that can help.
Simply enter your email to access the Ultimate EV Battery Guide as well as sign up for other EV news and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox.
Conclusion
Electric vehicles have evolved rapidly. The development of lithium-ion batteries has allowed vehicles to go hundreds of miles on a single charge. Some new models with 500+ mile range are expected to come to market in the next few years
Hundreds of miles is more than enough for most people’s daily commutes but now you have more info about maximizing your EV battery’s potential.
We Hope This Overview Of Electric Car Range Has Been Helpful
If you have benefited from it, we invite you to consider supporting our efforts to move the country beyond gasoline, by donating to Coltura.
