There is no denying the growth of electric vehicle (EV) adoption. The electric car is often in the headlines and nearly all car manufacturers have made commitments to go fully electric in the future. While electric car ownership is growing every day the majority of Americans are not electric vehicle owners. One of the main reasons for this is many car owners are worried about electric vehicle range and range anxiety, the fear that one will run out of battery life in their EV and become stranded. A question that is often raised is, “How far can an electric car go on one charge?” You may be surprised to learn that the driving range of an EV on a single charge is enough to last for the majority of your trips and is sufficient for the average daily U.S. commuter. Are you curious as to how this is possible? Read on as we explain the question further.
How far can the average electric car go on a single charge?
The average range for an EV on a single charge is more than 250 miles per charge. 250 miles is more than 6 X the average number of miles driven by a U.S. driver per day. According to the most recent data from the Federal Highway Administration, the average amount of miles per U.S. driver is about 37 miles.
What EV has the longest range?
As of this publication, the EV with the longest range is the 2022 Lucid Air Dream Edition Range at 520 miles. Lucid has the top three electric vehicles with the longest range. Lucid is followed by four different models of the Mercedes EQS and then, the car with the eight longest range is the Tesla Model S Dual Motor.
What EV has the shortest range?
The EV with the shortest range is the Smart EQ fortwo cabrio at 80 miles. The EV is available in Great Britain.
The growing range of EVs
The range of electric vehicles has grown over the years and in the future, you will see even higher ranges than the Lucid Air Dream. Car manufacturers understand that buyers are concerned about EV range despite the fact that most people don’t need a long range electric car in their daily lives.
Here are some fun facts about the history of electric car range:
- In the 1970s, the first real drivable electric cars were introduced into the market. They could go an average of 40 miles on a single charge.
- In 2008, the Tesla Roadster was launched and was the first battery electric vehicle to use lithium-ion electric car batteries and to have a longer electric range of 200 miles per charge.
- Soon after the release of the Tesla Roadster, Chevy came out with the Volt and Nissan with the LEAF. The LEAF only had a range of 84 miles when it was first released. Fast-forward to today, the latest LEAF model has a 285-mile electric range.
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
How long it takes to charge an electric car depends on the level of charging you use. There are three levels of EV charging: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
Level 1 EV chargers are the type that came standard with your lease or purchase of an EV. Level 1 EV chargers can only add 3 to 5 miles to your EV battery range per hour, which means it can take more than 24 hours to get a full charge.
Level 2 EV chargers are purchased and then installed separately from the purchase of an EV. A Level 2 home charger requires a dedicated 208-/240-volt outlet. Level 2 EV charging stations charge an EV up to 15 times faster than Level 1 chargers. Home Level 2 chargers are the most convenient and safe way to charge an EV.
DC Level 3 EV chargers can charge 80% of an EV battery in 10 – 30 minutes. This is of course the fastest charging option available on the market today. A DC fast charger requires 480-volts or more. DC fast charging stations are not compatible with all EVs. A Level 3 charger cannot be installed at a home due to the utility connections and transformer upgrades needed to support that much electricity.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
The cost to charge an electric car depends on if you’re charging at home or another location, like at work or a public charging station. If you’re taking advantage of workplace charging, it will depend on the price your employer has established. If you’re charging at home or at public charging stations it will depend on several factors.
A home EV charger is the best and cheapest way to charge an EV, while avoiding range anxiety. It assures you will have a full battery whenever you need one. A home EV charging station does require an electrician and can be installed in your garage or on your driveway. It can be a painless process if you work with the right EV charging company.
WattLogic provides a turnkey home EV charging solution that includes rebate management. We will research and find EV charging rebates you are eligible for so you can save money. We have an easy, quick digital survey that will take you less than 10 minutes. Once you’re done, we’ll send you an EV charging quote without you ever having to pick up a phone!
The average cost for a home Level 2 charger with installation is between $700 and $2,000. The eventual cost you pay will depend on things like the complexity of the installation, how far your electrical panel is from your EV charging station, and the type of charger you choose.
The cost to charge at home will be cheaper than it will be at public charging stations. The home charging figure will depend on the efficiency of your EV, where you live, your electricity rates, the time you charge, and if your utility provider offers Time-of-Use (TOU) rates for electric car drivers.
Using Idaho National Laboratory data, we found the average rate to charge an electric car at home to be $0.04 – $0.05 cents per mile. This is much cheaper than the $0.11 cents or more per mile with a traditional gasoline-powered car.
The cost to charge at a public charging station depends on several factors including the EV charging network, where you live, and how you’re being charged (i.e., by kilowatt-hour or by the minute). The averages are between $0.13 – $0.17 cents per mile. Most EV networks offer discounted rates for EV drivers who sign up for a subscription plan.
Can you take a road trip in an electric vehicle?
Yes, you most definitely can take a road trip in an electric vehicle! The U.S. EV charging infrastructure does need to grow much quicker to be able to accommodate the large number of electric vehicles that will be on the road in the future. While this may be the case, taking a road trip in an electric car today is possible.
To ensure a smooth trip without electric vehicle range anxiety, you’ll want to confirm a few details before you embark on your electric road trip! Map out your itinerary. Use EV charging maps like ChargeHub or PlugShare to ensure you will have access to reliable charging stations along the way. This more than likely means you cannot travel across the entire country due to some areas lacking EV charging stations, but there are great options along routes which pass through major metropolitan areas.
