Help with range confusion: How much distance is enough for an electric car?

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Besides charging, the most important question about electromobility is: How far can I go on my electric car’s battery charge? This point is especially important for drivers who travel longer distances per week and do not have their own Wallbox. This way, you don’t have to constantly worry about where you can connect your vehicle to electricity.

Basically, it can be said that big concerns about range are no longer necessary in today’s models. However, there are a few things to keep in mind: Battery range can be greatly affected by many factors. Additionally, it is not clear what information anyone interested in electrical engineering can trust.

The range of electric cars available is already very wide, as the range offered by AutoScout24 shows. But which model with how much range is right for me? When making your choice, it’s a good idea to do a daily checkup that provides information on mileage driven per week. In general, small and compact cars have a smaller to mid-range range, with station wagons and SUVs having the upper hand. But “range anxiety” is basically unsuitable even for city cars, because electric cars are now equipped to cover the required average mileage. According to the BfS 2021 traffic microcount, only 30 kilometers per day in this country. If you need a little more capacity due to longer distances, one of Switzerland’s top 10 models can help.

You can only rely on the manufacturer’s range information in very rare cases; This information shows the range to be achieved in the optimal situation. In reality, numerous factors influence how far you can actually go with your electric car (see details below). To get an idea of ​​a realistic range, the WLTP test procedure, which stands for “Worldwide Harmonized Light Duty Vehicles Test Procedure”, has been established as an official benchmark. Translated, this means something like “Globally harmonized testing procedure for light commercial vehicles”. During these tests, various realistic driving cycles are simulated and these are ultimately included in the range calculation according to WLTP.

The range of an electric car can generally be calculated based on the vehicle’s battery capacity and energy consumption per 100 kilometers. The energy label, which we also know from home appliances, provides information about the latter. Vehicles in category A are the most efficient, while category G consumes the most electricity. But more importantly, the actual range depends not only on these measurements but also on climatic conditions, route profile and your own driving style. This range calculator takes all this information into account and provides a value suitable for everyday use.

Even if you stick to the 80-20 charging recommendation, the maximum range specified by the automaker will not be achieved. This means that an electric car is best if its charge level is between 20 and 80 percent, as this protects the battery in the long run. “Full refueling” is therefore only recommended when a long-distance journey is planned where the charge status is uncertain. However, in normal charging infrastructure, there is no need to fully charge the electric car as it will take you to the next charging station when necessary.

There are several tricks with which you can positively influence the range. These include features such as tires with optimized rolling resistance or aerodynamic rims, for example. Another important point is the forward-looking driving style. This saves energy, as everyone learns in driving school. In electric cars, energy can also be recovered during braking, stop-and-go traffic and downhill driving by a method called recovery. You should also pay attention to what also applies to internal combustion engines: Less technology (air conditioning, radio) uses less electricity and less installed weight also has a positive effect.

When it comes to driving style, it can also have a negative impact on range; That is, if you start and brake constantly. The rule also applies: the faster you travel, the shorter your range becomes. Anyone who resists the urge to drive fast despite the rapid acceleration of an electric car is doing a good thing in terms of range. Reason: As speed increases, air resistance increases. Of course, where the journey goes also plays a role. Mountainous terrain and mountain driving require more energy. And last but not least, climatic conditions also have an impact: Extremely hot, but especially extremely cold weather affects the range, as shown in point 7 below.

As an electric car driver, you have to compromise on mileage, especially in winter. ADAC calculated that electric cars travel 10 to 30 percent less in the cold season than in the summer. This is due to the higher heating effort: unlike internal combustion engines, which can heat the interior using waste heat, the feeling of comfort in an electric car must be created using energy from the battery. In addition, for optimal operation, the battery itself must first be heated – this is valid at 20 and 40 degrees Celsius. If the battery is colder, it will have a harder time charging, so charging stations will automatically reduce their speed. This means: plan some more time for charging in the winter. Alternatively, it is recommended to charge the vehicle only after a certain period of time after the battery has warmed up. Or, if you have one, you can heat the car in your garage using a wall box. Other winter tips: Use seat and steering wheel heating instead of a room air heater, which uses less energy when you’re on the move. And: Pre-warm the car before setting off. Many car brands now have special applications for this purpose.

As seen in the list above, the range of larger models is already well over 500 kilometers. In the future, much longer journeys will be possible with a single charge. Many automakers are now working on improved electric batteries (so-called solid-state batteries) that promise a range of 1,000 kilometers or more within a few years.

Source: Blick

Ella

I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.