How far an EV can travel on a single charge differs from make and model. With improving battery technology and an expanding range of models available, most EVs now have a significant range to comfortably suit most people’s daily journeys.
The best new models will offer up to 300 miles of range per charge, which is not far off what you’d expect from a tank of petrol. Even 2nd hand cars may typically offer a range of 80-150 miles, which is still ample for most people’s weekly commuting needs, bearing in mind cars can be charged overnight ready for the next day’s use.
For occasional longer trips, most drivers are likely to stop en route at least every couple of hours, so it’s then just a case of planning ahead to incorporate EV charging into your journey stops for relaxation, refreshments, exercise, etc.
Vehicle manufacturers publish their rated range data, however actual driving performance in the real world does vary based on a wide range of factors.
For instance batteries perform best in the heat, so during colder winter months you’ll get less energy from the battery, and the EV’s effective range can reduce by up to 20%.
Driving behaviour also plays an important part. There are a number of ways you can maximise the range of your EV, including accelerating softly, controlling top speed, selective use of air conditioning / space heating, and even making route choices which minimise power consumption.
While for some the risk of running out of electricity has given rise to the phrase ‘range anxiety’, with a little planning this should never need to happen, particularly with the rapidly expanding public chargepoint network across the UK. For more information on range anxiety, you can watch our video on the subject.