Electric vehicles (EVs) have become very popular in the 21st century. The main reason why EVs are taking over are many, but the main concern for most users is the environment. With zero pollution, EVs offer hope for future generations. However, one point of concern when it comes to using EVs is battery life. How far can you drive with an electric car on a single charge?
The simple answer to this question would be 100 miles to 300 miles. This depends on the model of car and the type of battery used. Although most people worry about the distance the car can drive on a single charge, most people do not need long driving hours. If you use your car around the city and back home, you may probably drive around 30 miles per day. This means that you can use your car for over three days without the need to recharge. However, when you drive long distance, you should be able to recharge your car at a fast charging station.
What We Know About Electric-Car Range So Far
Although the development of electric cars is something that started in the early 20th century, it is only until the early 21st century that EVs have been made available for public use. Back in 2010, the Nissan LEAF stood out as one of the best selling models of EVs. This car had a maximum range of 109 miles on one charge. In 2017, Nissan launched a new model that could attain up to 340miles on a single charge. Some of the available EVs options in the market today include the Renault ZOE, Opel Ampera-e, and Chevy Bolt, all of which can attain up to 5000 km (300miles) on a single charge.
Over the years, Electric Car manufacturers have been working on improving battery life. More models are being developed with the expectation that the battery life will keep on getting better. According to Bloomberg, the cost of car batteries has dropped by over 65% in the past decade. By 2015, the cost of Electric Van battery stood at $350/kWh which is expected to drop further to around $120/kWh in 2020. This is a good sign for those who wish to purchase electric cars. The drop in the cost of car batteries has resulted in a drop in the price of electric cars. With advancements in technology, electric cars will be able to charge faster and cost less. It is estimated that by 2035, 1 out of 6 cars bought will be electric.
If you want to dig deeper into this topic, check out our article on what EVs has the longest driving range.
Electric Car Battery Design
To be able to power a car for over 500km, the battery must be very strong. Most car batteries have thousands of individual cells. Such a huge number of cells take spaces. With this design, more than 50% of the space dedicated to the car battery is taken up by housing. A group of engineers from IKTS has developed a battery that substantially reduces the amount of space needed. With such developments, more batteries can now fit in the car and the range of a fully charged car can increase up to 1000km(620 miles). With the ability to drive over 600 miles on battery, the electric cars will just be as usable as the gas-powered cars.
Most people seem to be more concerned with the electric car that has a range of over 1000km. However, this is not a major issue of concern. The Nanotechnology breakthrough will allow electric cars to range over 1000km. However, the current electric cars range well over 500km. In reality, a normal driver cannot drive up to 1000km without the need to rest. It is also fair to note that, there is no any combustible engine car that would range up to 1000km without the need to refuel. In essence, any electric car that has a range of 500km is ideal for normal use.
The potential for long-hour cross border journeys is on the horizon. However, we should not forget that the primary use of personal cars is the daily commute. According to recent research, electric cars can effectively replace 90% of all personal vehicles on the road in the U.S. The use Pattern for personal cars suggests that people do not need long hours of deriving. The normal car user takes a break after driving for 3 to 4 hours. This is time enough to recharge your battery and get your car going again. The interesting part is that electric cars are more affordable on the road. On average, driving an electric car is a lot cheaper as compared to a normal gas car. It is also important to note that electric cars are more efficient. Since they are less mechanical than gas-powered cars, they are less likely to get mechanical problems while you derive.
Assuming that the car battery life can be increased as anticipated, electric cars would be able to replace up to 98 percent of all personal cars on the road by 2020. However, this is something that is based on personal preferences. There is no legislation that forces an individual to purchase an EV. Another factor of importance to consider when it comes to purchasing an electric car is charging. There are some cities where charging stations are very close. For instance, in most developed cities you can come across an electric car plug station within an 18km radius. However, as you drive further away from the city, the frequency of encountering recharge stations diminishes. Depending on your daily commute distance, choose an electric car that serves your daily needs. In the Netherlands, the average daily commute is 20miles, in the US is 35 miles and in the Uk is 33miles. The average daily commute in most cities around the world range from 18 miles to 35 miles. This is way far below the car range of most electric cars. The car with the lowest range stands at 106km (62miles) which is way far above the daily commute needs.
How Long Does It Take To Charge An Electric Car
The time needed to charge the car also plays an important role in this conversation. Gas engine cars also need refills along the way but that does not bother anyone since the refill only take a minute. However, when it comes to electric cars, the charging time can be too long to bare. By using the standard electric plug at home, you will need approximately 4 hours to recharge the empty battery. However, this is not always the case when you are on transit. The electric car recharge stations use fast chargers which are much powerful. As mentioned above, a fast charger can recharge an empty battery to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. With such charging speeds, there is technically no need for a gas powered engine. You can get your car recharged while you enjoy a snack and before you know it you will be on your way. It is also important to note that you do not have to recharge the car to a full battery when you are on the way. You only charge based on the distance you wish to travel.
How Far You Can Drive A Hybrid Electric Car.
Hybrid electric cars are among the options that most people consider. When you chose to purchase a hybrid electric car, you must keep in mind that it still causes pollution. The main reasoning behind hybrid cars is that they do reduce pollution to some extent and also reduce the energy cost. On average, hybrid cars can go for about 35miles on battery. Although this may bt seem like a short distance, it is actually the average daily commute distance in most cities. This means that with a hybrid car, you can enjoy your daily commute without having to worry about fuel at all. The beauty of the hybrid electric cars is that you also have the option of switching to the gas engine. The gas engine offers you more peace of mind in case of a long distance journey. If you are afraid of the long distance journey when you might be required to recharge your car more than once, the hybrid option is the best.
Conclusion
Electric cars are without a doubt transforming the transport sector. The use of diesel has had so many devastating effects on the global climate. It is time that most people started embracing the use of zero-emission cars. With that said, it clear that the elephant in the room is the battery life. As we have seen, although the battery may need a recharge after some time, most electric cars are capable of running your daily commute without a problem. In fact, an average electric car can be used for two or three days without the need to recharge. There is also good news considering that new technology could improve battery life by up to 300%. If all goes well, most of the cars produced between now and 2020 will be able to range 1000km. This means that the need for gas-powered cars is over. You can purchase your electric car and start enjoying driving without worrying about fuel costs.
