How Far Can An Electric Car Travel On One Charge?
- Sarah Lozanova
- Mar 21
- 8 min read
Updated: May 11
Table of Contents:
In 2024, more electric vehicles (EVs) will be available than ever before, including the Range Rover Electric, the Hyundai Ioniq 7, and the Volvo EX30. As EV sales increase, ownership is becoming more mainstream and widespread. Now, EV shoppers have many options, from simple sedans to luxury cars and powerful SUVs to electric pickup trucks.
If you're going to have a business installing EV charging stations, you should know about EVs. For instance, how far can an electric car go on one charge?
Many solar installers are also installing EV chargers as a way to upsell customers and provide a value-added service.
Many potential EV drivers are concerned about recharging their EV batteries on the go because it is harder to charge a car than fill up with gas. Unfortunately, range anxiety may be a concern for your customers.
What Is The Average Range For An Electric Vehicle?
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) rely entirely on their battery packs for power, meaning they must be charged periodically. The driving range of an EV is often comparable to or slightly less than the distance a gas-powered car can travel before refueling. However, several factors influence how far an electric car can go on one charge, including ambient temperature, terrain, battery capacity, battery health, and driving habits.
On average, today’s EVs can travel just over 200 miles per charge, though this number continues to rise as battery technology improves. The range varies significantly by model—for example, the 2024 Tesla Model S offers an estimated 400-mile range, while the 2024 Nissan Leaf has a more modest 149-mile range.
Many automakers provide standard and extended-range battery options. For instance, the Polestar 2 comes with a 69 kWh battery, while its long-range version is equipped with an 82 kWh battery. While these extended-range models allow for greater mileage per charge, they typically come at a higher cost.
More businesses are incorporating EVs into their fleets, often as part of their carbon emission reduction goals. A key advantage of EV ownership is lower operational costs—EVs require less maintenance and reduce fuel expenses. However, depending on how far an electric car can go on one charge, some models may not be practical for commercial applications that demand longer ranges.
How Far Can An Electric Car Go On A Charge?
The driving range of an electric vehicle (EV) varies by model, so it’s best to check the EPA-rated range for an accurate estimate. However, real-world conditions—such as weather, driving speed, and terrain—often reduce an EV’s actual range.
Over the years, how far an electric car can go on one charge has significantly improved. For example, the first-generation Nissan Leaf had an EPA-rated range of about 85 miles with a 24-kWh battery, while the 2024 Nissan Leaf now offers 149 miles with a 40-kWh battery. Higher-range EVs, such as the 2024 Tesla Model S, can reach up to 405 miles per charge. As battery technology continues to evolve, future EVs will likely have even longer ranges.
When traveling long distances, it is often necessary to charge on the go at a commercial EV charging station. As the charging infrastructure improves, there will be more public charging options than ever before, and these options are likely to increase over time. Now, shopping centers, parking garages, workplaces, business districts, and even some multifamily buildings, including condos, have charging stations.
How Long Does It Take To Recharge An Electric Vehicle?
How far an electric car can go on one charge is important, but so is how long it takes to recharge. Charging times vary depending on the type of charger and battery capacity.
Level 1 chargers (standard wall outlets) are the slowest, taking 24 to 48 hours to fully charge an EV.
Level 2 chargers are much faster, typically taking 5 to 10 hours to recharge a depleted battery—making them the preferred choice for home charging.
DC fast chargers are the quickest option, capable of charging a battery in minutes instead of hours. However, frequent use of fast charging can contribute to battery degradation over time.
Because of cost and practicality, Level 2 chargers are the most popular for home installation. DC fast chargers remain primarily commercially available, as they are too expensive for most homeowners to install.
What Impacts How Far An Electric Car Can Go On A Charge?
Several factors influence the range of an electric car. The primary determinants include the vehicle's battery capacity, driving efficiency, and use of regenerative braking. Also, factors such as aerodynamics, weight, road conditions, climate control usage, and external temperatures can impact an electric car's range. Maintenance practices, tire pressure, and driving behavior also play roles in determining how far an electric car can go on a single charge.
Factors Increasing EV Range | Factors Decreasing EV Range |
EV Battery Capacity | High Speeds |
Efficient Driving Practices | Cold Temperatures |
Regenerative Braking | Aggressive Acceleration |
Vehicle Aerodynamics | Hilly Terrain |
Lightweight Design | Low Tire Pressure |
Climate Control Use | Excessive Cargo Weight |
Low Rolling Resistance | Battery Degradation |
Factors Affecting How Far An Electric Car Can Go On A Charge
Understanding these factors is key to maximizing how far an electric car can go on a charge. By managing temperature settings, driving efficiently, and reducing unnecessary weight, you can extend your EV’s range and optimize performance.
Temperature: Cold weather can significantly impact how far an electric car can travel on a single charge. EV batteries perform less efficiently in low temperatures, leading to up to a 20% reduction in range. This happens because the chemical reactions within the battery slow down, and the vehicle needs additional power to heat the cabin. To mitigate this, preconditioning the car while it's still plugged in can help maintain efficiency when driving in cold weather.
Heat & AC: Using the heater, seat warmers, or air conditioning—especially on high—draws power directly from the battery, reducing range. When range is a priority, setting climate controls to a lower setting can help extend how far an EV can go on a charge.
Vehicle Speed: Driving at high speeds, particularly over 60 mph, tends to decrease an EV's driving range. This happens because air resistance and drag increase at higher speeds, forcing the motor to work harder and consume more energy. EVs generally perform most efficiently at lower, steady speeds, making it crucial to avoid aggressive driving to maximize how far an electric car can travel on a single charge.
Payload: Carrying excess weight in the vehicle—whether it's passengers or cargo—also negatively affects range. The more weight the motor has to move, the more energy it consumes, resulting in a shorter driving range. To optimize range, it's recommended to reduce unnecessary items in the vehicle and avoid carrying heavy loads when they aren’t needed.
Driving Style: Quick accelerations and fast driving reduce the range of EVs. Consistently driving at higher speeds or using sudden bursts of acceleration consumes more energy than gradual acceleration. If range is a concern, adopting a more conservative driving style will allow you to drive farther on a single charge.
Battery Degradation: Over time, EV batteries degrade, reducing their ability to hold a charge. Frequent use of DC fast charging and exposure to extreme heat can accelerate this process. To prolong battery life and maintain how far an electric car can go on a charge, slow charging methods are recommended for daily use.
Does An EV’s Range Decrease Over The Life Of The Vehicle?
As EV batteries age, vehicle range decreases due to battery degradation. However, most EV manufacturers offer a battery warranty for a specific number of miles. For example, many offer an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery, ensuring at least 70% of its original capacity.
When purchasing a used EV, it is essential to consider how degradation may have decreased the range of the EV. Also, the battery warranty is an important consideration when purchasing a used EV, because some out-of-warranty battery repairs are expensive.
How Can I Increase How Far My EV Can Go On a Charge?
Maximizing your EV’s range involves optimizing various factors that affect energy efficiency. Here are some key strategies to help increase how far your electric car can go on a charge:
Efficient Driving Practices:
Avoid rapid acceleration and heavy braking.
Maintain a steady speed.
Use regenerative braking to recapture energy when slowing down.
Aerodynamics:
Keep windows closed at higher speeds to reduce drag.
Remove roof racks or carriers when not in use.
Climate Control:
Precondition your EV while it’s plugged in to minimize energy use for heating or cooling.
Use seat heaters and steering wheel warmers instead of heating the entire cabin.
Park in shaded areas or crack the windows to reduce air conditioning use.
Optimal Tire Pressure:
Regularly check and maintain proper tire pressure.
Well-inflated tires reduce rolling resistance and improve efficiency.
Battery Management:
Charge your EV regularly to keep the battery within its optimal state of charge.
Avoid frequently charging to 100%; a charge between 20-80% is often recommended for daily use.
Drive at Moderate Speeds:
Higher speeds result in increased aerodynamic drag, reducing efficiency.
Use cruise control on highways for steady speed and efficient driving.
Plan Efficient Routes:
Use navigation systems that consider topography and traffic to optimize your route.
Minimize hilly terrain if possible.
Reduce Weight:
Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle to reduce weight.
Battery Health:
Keep your battery in good health through regular maintenance and software updates.
Avoid exposing your EV to extreme temperatures for prolonged periods.
Regenerative Braking:
This technology converts the vehicle's kinetic energy back into electrical energy during deceleration, helping to recharge the battery.
Some electric cars have different levels of regenerative braking, with higher levels allowing greater EV driving range.
Do Heat Pumps Increase How Far Electric Cars Can Go On A Charge?
Yes, heat pumps in electric vehicles (EVs) can help extend the range in cold weather. Traditional electric resistance heaters are less efficient in cold temperatures, consuming more energy from the battery to heat the cabin. In contrast, heat pumps are more energy-efficient as they transfer heat from the outside environment to the inside of the vehicle.
Here's how heat pumps can contribute to extending the range in cold weather:
Energy Efficiency: Heat pumps use a refrigeration cycle to extract heat from the outside air, even in cold conditions. This process is more energy-efficient than electric resistance heaters, which directly convert electrical energy into heat.
Reduced Battery Drain: By using a heat pump, EVs can heat the cabin with less impact on the overall energy consumption. This results in reduced strain on the battery and helps maintain a longer driving range in cold weather.
Cabin Preconditioning: Some EVs with heat pump systems allow you to precondition the cabin while the vehicle is still plugged in. This means you can warm up the interior using power from the grid, rather than relying solely on the electric car battery once you start driving.
Does Speed Impact How Many Miles EVs Can Go?
Electric cars are generally most efficient at lower speeds. This is because higher speeds result in increased aerodynamic drag, which requires more energy to overcome. The optimal speed for efficiency varies among different EV models, but typically, driving at moderate speeds, such as 30 to 50 mph, allows for better energy efficiency and longer driving range.
How Far Electric Cars Go Is Critical for Convenience
Although EVs were an anomaly a few years ago, they are becoming far more mainstream and gaining popularity. Now, most automakers have at least one electric vehicle on the market, with many automakers having numerous ones. Some of the leading automakers for electric cars include Tesla, Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, Rivian, BYD (in China), Lucid, and Nissan.
Although EVs are an excellent way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, charging them with renewable energy helps them further slow climate change. Thus, solar energy installations and electric vehicles are an excellent combination.
Want to learn more about GreenLancer’s EVC design and engineering services? We have numerous services for EV charging station contractors, including permit plan sets, PE stamps, and engineering reviews.
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