Electric Vehicle Mileage Range: Everything You Need to Know

EV 101: Answers to Your Electric Vehicle Range Questions
electric vehicle mileage range

Did you know that the average person drives around 40 miles every day?While most gasoline cars come with massive tanks that can support hundreds of miles, the truth is that you don’t need that much range. This makes electric vehicles incredibly easy to live with every day.

Electric vehicle mileage range is known to be less than traditional gasoline cars. However, fast and overnight charging at home can make an electric car perfect for city living.

Are you interested in learning more about electric vehicle mileage range? Here’s everything you need to know.

Electric Vehicle Mileage Range

As mentioned above, electric vehicles are fundamentally different compared to gasoline-powered cars. This is because gasoline cars can utilize a vast network of gas stations to fill up the tank quickly. Charging your electric car takes a bit longer and is still limited by the onboard batteries.

Just like you would compare different-sized gas tanks within a car, electric vehicles can come with a few different battery options. The various options mean that the vehicle can be fitted with a larger battery and come with a more extended range.

While larger batteries often mean more range, the battery’s efficiency is also an essential factor. Overheating battery packs can result in losing energy a lot faster than smaller, well-cooled batteries.

Related: 5 Kia Models with the Best Gas Mileage

The Average Electric Vehicle

Electric vehicles have come a long way in the last few years. Since EVs have grown in popularity, the cost of producing batteries has decreased. This means that the average electric car is cheaper and comes with a more extended range than ever before.

To put this evolution into context, the Nissan Leaf was one of the first mass-market EV concepts to hit the road. While this EV had its faults, it came with a range of around 73 miles on a full charge. In other words, the car was only useful for getting to and from work.

Compare this to the modern Kia EV6, which can give you around 310 miles on a single charge. In addition, the new Kia EV6 supports fast charging so that you can quickly add hundreds of miles of range while you stop for a coffee break. As a result, electric cars can now do more than just commute, they can actually take you across the country.

Related: Kia Electric Vehicles: The Ultimate Guide

How Much Range Do You Need?

While modern electric vehicles come with much more range than before, the question is, how much do you actually need? Due to the fact that modern EVs offer a few different models depending on how much range you need, this is an important question to ask.

If you need your car for daily commutes and the occasional grocery run, you may not even use more than 100 miles of range daily. In such a case, you can choose the lowest battery option and just charge your car overnight.

However, there are also a few options for those who love road trips. If you plan to use your EV for road trips or have a job requiring you to drive more than 100 miles daily, the highest-spec battery is perfect for you. These models can give you anywhere from 200 to 350 miles of range, making them ideal for longer commutes.

What Affects Your Range?

While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does disclose the official range capacities for electric vehicles, the truth is that the coverage depends entirely on how you drive. So, if you’re driving in performance mode, you may not get as much range off a full charge. This is due to the battery being heated up and sending maximum power to the electric motors.

Some cars also switch off regenerative braking in performance mode for added performance. In this way, energy is not being recouped by the brakes as you drive, decreasing the overall range.

How To Extend Your Range

The best way to extend your car’s range is to drive economically — for example, accelerating gently and braking cautiously. Aside from this, you can also set the car up to drive as economically as possible by changing its settings.

Most cars have an economical setting to help you do this with just the tap of a button. This setting can adjust the engine mode but also various settings around the car. In most cases, the eco mode itself can extend your range by 20 to 50 miles.

Why Fast Charging Is So Important

While the range that comes with your EV is incredibly important, fast charging stations are another game-changing technology that you should keep an eye on. This is because fast chargers have the ability to charge your car in the same time that it takes you to order a cup of coffee. Some advanced systems are adding hundreds of miles of range in just 10 minutes, making EVs just as practical as traditional gasoline cars.

Finding The Right Electric Car Range For You at Battleground Kia

As you can see, the electric vehicle mileage range is one of the most important factors when buying an EV. While fast charging is available, it helps to have a vehicle with enough range for your daily commute.

Despite the EPA disclosing official figures, the mileage you can actually get depends entirely on how you drive. This means that you are in complete control of how many miles you can get out of every full charge.

Looking to find your perfect EV? Contact us by visiting our website, or simply click the button below to connect with a member of the Battleground Kia team!