Electric cars have become increasingly popular as people become more environmentally conscious and car manufacturers produce more electric models.
According to Scientific American, in 2016, there were about 57 million vehicles registered in the US alone – that’s a lot of gas-powered vehicles! However, only 250 thousand met strict government standards for electric or hybrid cars out of those numbers. That’s only about 0.45% of the market!
Why are Electric Cars important? Not only do they help reduce emissions and save on gas, but electric cars also have a much longer lifespan than gas-powered ones – around 200,000 miles compared to the average of 75,000 for gas cars!
But how far can these cars travel on a single charge?
How far can an electric car go on one charge?
The range of electric cars varies considerably depending on the type of vehicle you purchase. The Chevrolet Bolt EV has the longest range at 238 miles per single charge, while the Tesla Model 3 comes in second with 220 miles per charge. The Nissan Leaf electric car can travel up to 107 miles.
The terrain you are driving on also affects how far the electric car will go. If you’re driving in an urban area with stop-and-go traffic, your electric car’s range will be significantly reduced. Conversely, electric cars will travel farther on a single charge if you drive on the highway with little to no traffic.
In addition to terrain and speed, the electric car’s batteries are also an important factor in determining its range.
A higher-capacity battery will generally allow your electric vehicle to go farther than one with a lower-capacity battery. The Chevrolet Bolt EV has more than 60kWh of electric car batteries.
On the other hand, electric cars with a smaller range can be more cost-effective if you’re planning to drive less than 30 miles per day and charge your electric car at home every night.
This is because electric vehicles have lower operational costs than fuel-powered ones in maintenance and fueling requirements.
Read Are Electric Cars Good for Road Trips and Highway Driving?
How are electric cars charged?
Electric cars are charged by plugging the car into a power outlet. The charging station is connected to an electric current, which flows through two large cables called “trunks” and delivers electricity to the car’s battery. For this process to occur, both these trunks must be connected (or plugged in) to the car.
How long an electric car takes to get charged depends on the make and model of the electric vehicle and the power output of the charging station. The average time it takes to charge an electric car fully is about six hours.
Some newer models, such as Tesla’s Model S, can be charged at a much faster rate (up to an 80% charge in about 30 minutes). There are also a growing number of public charging stations available for electric car owners to use.
These can be found at malls, airports, and other places where people typically spend extended periods.
So far, there are over 16,000 public charging stations in the United States alone. Charging your electric car at home is the most common and affordable way to do it.
Most charging stations have a cord plugged into a standard 110-volt household outlet. This will charge the car at a rate of about four miles per hour.
For faster charging, an owner can install a 240-volt charger, which will deliver up to 40 miles of range per hour of charging.
If a home is not equipped with the proper outlets to accommodate electric car chargers, an owner can hire an electrician to install them for around $400-$600.
Read Charging an Electric Car in an Apartment
How much will it cost to charge an electric car fully?
How much will it cost to charge an electric car on a road trip? Not as expensive as you might think! If you’re taking multi-day trips, many EV drivers will plan ahead and stop at charging stations along the way instead of paying premium rates.
This can be helpful if your destination doesn’t have many charging options, but keep in mind that EV drivers are a friendly bunch.
So there’s no need to feel awkward asking for access to their charger — make sure you return the favor when it comes time for your friends and family to take a road trip!
Read How Long Will a Tesla Battery Last?
Which electric vehicle has the longest range?
A few different electric vehicles on the market have long ranges, and the Tesla Model S has the longest range of any electric car. With up to 335 miles of driving per charge, the Tesla Model S is a great option for people who want an electric car with a long-range.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV is another good option if you’re looking for an electric vehicle with a long range. Bolt EV ranges up to 238 miles per charge and is a good choice for people who don’t want to spend too much money on a car.
The Nissan Leaf is another electric vehicle with a long-range, with up to 150 miles of driving per charge.
Which electric car has the shortest range?
The Nissan Leaf has a range of distance of just 107 miles, while the Tesla Model S can travel up to 335 miles on a single charge. So, if you’re looking for an electric car with the shortest range, the Nissan Leaf is your best bet.
However, keep in mind that the Tesla Model S is much more expensive than the Nissan Leaf, so it may not be the best option for everyone.
Read What Happens if an Electric Car Gets Wet?
What other factors influence the driving range for EVs?
One of the main factors affecting EVs’ driving range is the climate. In colder climates, the battery will not last as long as in warmer climates. Wind can also reduce the range by disrupting airflow around the car. Finally, hills can impact range as well; going uphill reduces range, and downhill increases it.
EVs also require more maintenance than gasoline cars. The brakes and tires on EVs need to be replaced more often, and the battery needs to be checked regularly for wear and tear.
When considering an EV as your primary vehicle, these additional costs should be considered. Electric cars are a great choice for reducing their environmental impact.
One thing that can affect the range of an electric car is age. As a battery gets older, it will lose some of its capacity to hold a charge. This means that an older battery may not travel as far as a newer battery.
Another thing that can affect the range of an electric car is usage. If you use your electric car more often, it will lose range faster than if you only use it occasionally. This is because a battery that is constantly being used will wear down faster than one that isn’t used as often.
Read How Are Electric Car Charging Stations Powered
What happens if I run out of the EV battery charge?
If you run out of the EV battery charge, the car will automatically switch to gasoline. The gasoline engine is only used as a backup, so it’s always important to keep enough charge in the battery for your trip. You can monitor your battery level on the dashboard display.
If you’re ever concerned that you won’t have enough charge to make it to your destination, you can always find a charging station along the way.
Charging stations are now more available in the United States, so finding one shouldn’t be a problem. Plus, many hotels and restaurants offer to charge services for their guests and customers.
How to charge electric cars with solar panels?
Charge your electric car with solar panels? This is possible if you use a plug-in hybrid or an all-electric vehicle. But how to do it? There are two ways of charging your electric car with solar panels.
The first method uses a simple workaround to avoid the problem. Instead of plugging the charger into an outlet that does not have access to daylight (for example, at night), you can connect it to a lamp or other light fixture in your home.
The charger will draw power from the lamp and charge your car battery. This is a great solution if you have a sunny spot in your yard that is not currently used for anything else, like a garden or patio area.
The second method of charging electric cars with solar panels uses a solar-powered DC/AC inverter. This device is essentially a small (usually about the size of a computer monitor) solar panel that produces direct current electricity and converts it to AC power simultaneously.
You can connect this type of charger directly to an outlet instead of your car, or you can use an extension cord if there isn’t an outlet nearby.
Read Self-Charging Electric Cars
How to maximize electric car performance
You can do a few things to get the most out of your electric car. You can improve performance by:
- Checking tire pressure and ensuring they’re inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications
- Keeping your battery healthy by avoiding extreme temperatures and keeping it fully charged
- Using the correct driving style for an electric car, which includes accelerating slowly and braking gently
- Make sure a qualified technician properly services your car.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for the longest-range electric car or just want to save money on gas, make sure you understand what kind of driving your vehicle is capable of before purchasing.
The terrain also affects how far an electric car will go on a single charge – if you live in an urban area with stop-and-go traffic, your electric car’s range will be significantly reduced.
Conversely, if you drive long distances and mostly on highway roads where speeds are higher, and there is little to no traffic, then expect your electric cars to travel farther per charge due to less friction from braking during those trips.
Related electric car articles:
- Can You Tow an Electric Car If It Breaks Down?
- Cost Of Running Electric Car Vs Petrol In UK
- Are Electric Cars Cheap To Insure?
- Do Electric Cars Depreciate Faster?
- Best Extension Cord for Charging Electric Cars
My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.