To Own
What Increases the Range of an Electric Vehicle: Our Complete Guide
Explore factors influencing EV range, from battery technology to tire upkeep. Discover how route planning, weather, and driving style also impact battery efficiency.
Electric cars offer environmentally friendly mobility and impressive technology, but range is a key factor for many drivers. How far you can go on a full charge depends on several factors, from driving habits to weather conditions. This article explains what affects an EV’s range and shares practical tips to make every drive as efficient as possible.
1. What is an EV’s Range, and What Should I Know?
The range of an electric vehicle indicates how far it can travel on a full battery charge. This measure is critical, as recharging an EV typically takes longer than refueling a gas-powered car.
Estimated vs. actual range: Although car manufacturers provide range estimates, these figures often represent ideal conditions. Various real-world factors can influence the actual distance an EV can travel on a single charge, sometimes resulting in less range than estimated.
Factors affecting EV range:
- Route planning: The type of road you choose impacts your EV’s energy consumption. Driving uphill, for example, uses more battery power than driving on flat roads. To maximize your battery life, plan your trip in advance, and use tools like Google Maps' eco-routing feature to find the most energy-efficient route.
- Weather: External temperatures can greatly affect an EV’s range. In extreme temperatures, EVs can lose up to 25% of their estimated range. Unlike gas-powered cars that can use engine heat for interior warmth, EVs rely on battery power for climate control, which can put a strain on the battery.
- Driving style: How you drive an EV is crucial. Rapid acceleration can significantly reduce an EV’s range. A smoother driving style is recommended to achieve optimal range.
2. Technological Factors Affecting Range
2.1 Battery Technology
Size matters: The total energy storage capacity of a battery, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), directly correlates with range. Simply put, a larger battery usually provides a longer range. For example, a 40 kWh battery may offer around 240 kilometers of range, while a 100 kWh battery could deliver more than 480 kilometers.
Energy density: Energy density refers to the amount of energy a battery can store relative to its size. Higher-density batteries can store more energy without increasing the battery’s physical size, resulting in a longer range.
Cathode materials: The materials used in the cathode can affect energy density. For instance, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries tend to have a lower energy density than nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries.
Thermal management: Batteries generate heat. A good thermal management system keeps the battery at an optimal temperature, ensuring consistent performance and preventing premature degradation.
Degradation: Over time and repeated charging cycles, all batteries degrade. As a battery degrades, its capacity to hold a charge decreases, reducing range.
State of Health (SoH): This indicates the current battery capacity relative to its original capacity. For example, after several years, a battery may be at 85% SoH, meaning it can only charge up to 85% of its original capacity.
2.2 Tire Check
It may seem minor, but maintaining the recommended tire pressure can greatly impact your EV’s efficiency. Here’s why:
- Rolling resistance and range: Tires directly influence an EV’s range due to rolling resistance. Underinflated tires create more resistance, forcing the battery to use more energy. Between 4–11% of energy consumption can be attributed to tire rolling resistance. Low rolling resistance tires designed for EVs can help increase range, although they may slightly affect handling.
- Importance of proper inflation: Like with gas-powered cars, tire pressure can positively or negatively affect an EV’s range. Underinflated tires not only increase energy consumption but also cause premature tread wear. Regularly checking tire pressure and ensuring it meets the EV manufacturer's guidelines can extend tire life and optimize range.
2.3 Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking in EVs captures energy that would otherwise be lost during braking. Instead of solely relying on conventional brakes, the car’s motor acts as a generator, converting some kinetic energy back into battery power. This method can save up to 70% of energy that would otherwise be wasted.
Benefits include:
- Increased EV range: The energy recovered boosts the vehicle’s battery charge, extending the possible travel distance.
- Extended brake life: Because the system reduces reliance on traditional brakes, there’s less wear on brake components, leading to longer intervals between replacements and potential cost savings.
- One-pedal driving: Some EVs offer variable intensities of regenerative braking, with the highest setting allowing for one-pedal driving. In this mode, simply releasing the accelerator slows the vehicle significantly.
To help preserve battery life, the “80/20” charging principle is recommended, keeping the battery between 20% and 80% charged. While this may not always provide the maximum possible range, it contributes to long-term battery health. Always consult your specific vehicle manual, as some manufacturers, like Tesla, may have different recommendations.
3. Tips to Maximize Your EV’s Range
- Drive smoothly and consistently: Avoid rapid acceleration and sudden braking, as they drain the battery more quickly. Anticipate stops and decelerations and use regenerative braking whenever possible.
- Use the correct charger: Use a charger specifically designed for your EV, as recommended by the manufacturer, to ensure efficient and fast charging.
- Maintain regular upkeep: Routine maintenance helps preserve your EV’s range. Check tire pressure, monitor battery health, and follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule to keep your car running efficiently.
- Plan longer trips wisely: For extended drives, plan your route ahead of time to avoid hilly terrain and heavy traffic, which can put extra strain on the battery. Consider using a navigation system that accounts for EV range.
- Take advantage of regenerative braking: Many EVs are equipped with regenerative braking, which recovers energy during braking. Use this feature when slowing down or descending to extend your range.
- Precondition while charging: If you have a plug-in hybrid or an EV with a range extender, use the built-in gas generator to heat or cool the cabin while still plugged in, saving battery power for driving.
- Use HVAC sparingly: Select lower settings for heating and cooling to conserve battery power and increase range.
- Limit accessory usage: Accessories like headlights, wipers, and infotainment systems consume energy. Use them only as needed to save battery power.
- Keep the battery charged: Try to maintain the battery charge above 50% to extend its lifespan. If you won’t be using the car for an extended period, connect it to a charger to keep the battery healthy.
- Activate Eco Mode: Most EVs offer an Eco Mode or similar setting that optimizes energy use. Use this mode to increase range when needed.
Conclusion
EV range might seem complex at first, but with a few simple strategies, you can greatly enhance battery performance and longevity. Whether it’s driving smoothly, activating Eco Mode, or regularly checking tire pressure, small changes can make a big difference. This way, you can make the most of every charge and enjoy a worry-free, eco-friendly journey!
FAQs
What does "realistic range" mean for an EV?
"Realistic range" refers to the actual distance an EV can travel on a single charge, factoring in real-world conditions like driving style, route, and weather. This can differ from the manufacturer’s stated range, which often represents ideal conditions.
How does tire pressure affect an EV’s efficiency?
Properly inflated tires reduce rolling resistance, meaning the battery uses less energy. Underinflated tires can decrease range by increasing energy consumption and causing premature wear. Keeping tire pressure at the recommended level optimizes range and extends tire life.
How does regenerative braking benefit an EV?
Regenerative braking recaptures energy that would normally be lost when braking, converting it back to battery power. This can extend EV range, prolong brake component life, and in some cases, enable "one-pedal driving," where releasing the accelerator significantly slows the vehicle.
How can I optimize my EV's range in daily driving?
To maximize daily range, drive smoothly, use Eco Mode, and minimize HVAC usage. Regular maintenance, such as checking tire pressure, also helps keep your EV running efficiently.
How often should I charge my EV to maintain battery health?
It’s recommended to keep the battery between 20% and 80% charged and avoid frequent deep discharges. If the car will be unused for a while, keep the battery above 50% to help preserve its lifespan.
Selling electric cars to Denmark and Skandinavia – Easy and Secure with Cardino
Selling an electric car to Denmark can be particularly lucrative. The sales process is fast, completely online, free and without obligation. Both Scandinavian dealers and sellers have the opportunity to get a fair price in a changing market.
You can list your electric car or plug-in hybrid on Cardino within minutes. Here's how it works:
1. Digital Inspection in 10 Minutes:
Fill in all the information about your car and receive a valuation from our sales agent.
2. Auction:
Dealers will bid on your car, and you will receive the highest offer within a maximum of 3 days.
3. Payment and Free Pickup:
You will receive the money before the pickup. We take care of transporting the car, and it’s free of charge!
