How far can electric vehicles really take you? It’s a real question many people are curious about when they consider purchasing an EV. If you’re worried about running out of power in the middle of nowhere—you’re not alone! Understanding what affects range is the best practical way to move forward securely with your EV purchase. We’ll break everything down you need to know in this article.
High Speed
If you’re always commuting on highways, you need to consider how speed affects the mileage of your electric vehicle. Accelerating your EV, especially at highway speeds, reduces miles in your range. Mileage determines how fast your car runs and how fast your battery will run out. If you want to save your range, softer acceleration, and driving at lower speeds will increase your car’s efficiency. Many manufacturers have also realized this issue and have already added regenerative brakes to help drivers make up for the loss.
Extreme Weather
Extreme weather is unfriendly for batteries. If you’re feeling the heat, your car battery is too. On the flip side, colder weather makes it harder for batteries to stay efficient. When extreme weather comes, the battery will need to use AC or a heater to keep drivers comfortable. As a result, we consume more of the battery’s power and range.
Weather issues are difficult to overcome, However, a portable EV charger could be an antidote. Not only can this ensure the EV is fully charged before you leave every morning, but you can also charge anywhere, especially if your electric vehicle is caught in the dead of extreme weather.
Battery
Just like every electronic device you have, EV battery capacity gradually decreases the more often it is used. Nowadays, most new EVs have battery warranties that can guarantee the battery lasts for a certain length of time.
Load
Payload significantly impacts an electric vehicle’s range. The more passengers and goods you load, the higher the power consumption and the lower the efficiency is of your electric vehicle.
Tire Pressure
Whether you have a gas-powered car or EV, the tire is an important part when it comes to safety. Tires eventually need to be replaced when they encounter a leak or sudden punctures. Replacing EV tires is hard since most tire replacements do not perform as well and aren’t as efficient. Recently, tire manufacturers have begun marketing EV exclusive tires, which offer lower rolling resistance than normal tires. With less friction, an EV uses less power to operate and maintain a better range.
