Electric vehicle driving range - everything you need to know

The transition to an electric vehicle brings many advantages such as high-level technology, ease of use, and great efficiency. Alongside this, a new term has entered our lives: "range anxiety." This concept affects, to some extent, those who already own an electric vehicle and even more so those who are debating whether to take the step and switch to an electric vehicle. What is "range anxiety"? What is the driving range of an electric vehicle, what are the factors that affect it, and how can you increase its driving range?

What is "Range Anxiety" and Should You Be Worried?

The term "range anxiety" describes a situation where you set off and there is a fear that you might get stuck on the side of the road with an empty fuel tank or an empty battery. When it comes to an internal combustion engine vehicle, the fear is lower due to the perception that the distribution of gas stations is wide and sufficient. However, in an electric vehicle, the fear increases due to the perception that there is no charging station nearby.

This fear began when the electric vehicle battery was sufficient for a driving range of 150 to 250 km between charges. Over time, and with technological advancements related to the electric vehicle battery, today you can find electric vehicles with a driving range of 400 km or more (equivalent to the driving range of an internal combustion engine vehicle with a full fuel tank).

Electric vehicle manufacturers invest significant efforts to produce a stronger and more efficient battery with higher capacity to improve and extend the vehicle's driving range.

The improvement trend is also seen in the distribution of public charging stations, so in the coming years, we will see more charging stations for electric vehicles and fewer fueling stations for internal combustion engine vehicles.

The Driving Range of an Electric Vehicle and the Factors Affecting It

The driving range of an electric vehicle after fully charging the battery is quite similar to the driving range of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine after fully refueling the fuel tank. Various factors affect the driving range of an electric vehicle, some depend on the driver and their driving habits, and some depend on the vehicle's data and battery size, the road conditions, and even the weather. Let's go over the main factors affecting the driving range of an electric vehicle:

• Battery Capacity - Refers to the amount of energy that can be stored in the battery. The capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and affects the driving range of the electric vehicle. The higher the battery capacity, the greater the driving range, and vice versa.
• Battery Efficiency - Like any electric battery, the one installed in the electric vehicle wears out over time, and its efficiency decreases, affecting the driving range. Studies in this field claim that an electric vehicle can lose 1%-3% of battery capacity each year.
• Vehicle Weight - The lighter the vehicle and the less weight it carries, the longer the driving range with a given amount of energy.
• Aggressive Driving Habits - Such as rapid acceleration or braking, high-speed driving, and frequent lane changes are among the main factors affecting the driving range.
• Road Conditions - Driving uphill burdens the battery's efficiency and requires extra energy. On the other hand, driving downhill encourages regenerative braking and helps charge the battery.
• Weather Conditions - Extreme weather (too hot or too cold) can affect the driving range of the electric vehicle by tens of percent in terms of reduction/decrease in driving range.

How Can You Increase the Driving Range of the Electric Vehicle?

The driving range data published by electric vehicle manufacturers is according to the WLTP standard and may vary and be influenced by various factors mentioned in the previous section. However, adhering to several rules will help increase the driving range as close as possible to the range published by the electric vehicle manufacturers/importers:

1. Battery Condition - Adhering to a few simple rules will allow you to maintain the battery's lifespan.
2. Reducing Unnecessary Weight - The vehicle is not a storage unit, and unnecessary items, especially heavy ones, should be avoided.
3. Driving Habits - The main factor affecting the driving range of the electric vehicle, as it is entirely under the driver's control:
   • Maintain driving speed - On urban roads, it is advisable to keep a speed of 50 km/h, and on highways, it is advisable to keep a speed of up to 110 km/h.
   • Driving in ECO mode can help reduce energy consumption in the vehicle.
   • Avoid sudden braking, which causes the use of brakes in a way that does not optimally recover energy.
   • Using regenerative braking, while driving moderately and keeping a distance from the vehicle in front, will allow the vehicle to generate energy for charging the battery.
   • Using cruise control will reduce driving load so that the correct amount of current flows to the motors. Advanced cruise control systems can read road signs and adjust the driving pace.
   • Closing windows while driving will reduce air turbulence, which increases the vehicle's aerodynamic drag coefficient and makes it harder to move forward.
4. External Accessories - It is advisable to avoid non-aerodynamic elements (roof rack, bike carrier, etc.), which increase air resistance while driving, harm aerodynamics, and reduce the driving range.
5. Software Updates - According to the manufacturer's instructions, in some cases, can improve the driving range of the electric vehicle.
6. Maintaining Proper Tire Air Pressure - According to the vehicle manufacturer's instructions, will help the vehicle's electric motor exert less force to move the vehicle.