Monthly Myth: EVs don’t have enough range
Electric vehicles now travel the distance.
By Tim Benford, President of Drive Electric Dayton, Past Vice-President of Electric Auto Association
Hyundai Kona Electric
An internal combustion engine (ICE) car driver’s biggest fear when considering the purchase of an electric vehicle (EV) is that it won’t travel far enough on a charge, and that he or she will be stranded with a flat battery. Research shows this myth has been proven wrong.
In a study published in June 2019, Statista.com reported that Americans drive an average of 25.9 miles a day. So, Americans on average do not in fact need an abundance of daily range.
In 2020, add into the mix the COVID-19 pandemic along with the prevalence of virtual meetings and we can surmise that this daily average will begin skewing less than 25.9 miles. Below is a table from a Kelley Blue Book report on the range of 10 EV’s on the 2020 market. The average range per full charge is 271 miles, more than enough for daily use. But before buying or leasing a specific EV, shoppers are encouraged to run a Google query to check for any updated range reports. The technology is improving so rapidly, especially with models like Tesla, that it is likely to significantly improve over time.
Range per full charge
Porsche Taycan - 201 miles
Nissan Leaf Plus - 226 miles
Jaguar I-PACE - 234 miles
Kia Niro EV - 239 miles
Hyundai Kona Electric - 258 miles
Chevrolet Bolt - 259 miles
Tesla Model Y - 259 miles
Tesla Model X Long Range - 328 miles
Tesla Model 3 Long Range - 330 miles
Tesla Model S Long Range - 373 miles
Note: If you’re considering a used EV, check that the available mileage suits your needs.
In addition to daily range needs, ICE car owners will also worry about range on trips out of town. What must be remembered here is that one needs to take a safety break from driving every few hours to hit the restroom and enjoy a snack. All of the vehicles listed above will enable two hours of driving at highway speeds. When you take a break at that time, you can charge the vehicle sufficiently to reach the next stopping point.
Those on the market for an EV must also be aware that, with most of these cars, the onboard computer and internet cloud connectivity assists the driver in navigating to charging stations; the vehicle knows where they are located.
Let’s get to the point
We’ve covered the myth-busting facts, so here are the talking points for your next virtual meeting or phone call when someone says:
Them: EV’s don’t have enough range!
You: Studies show the average driver travels less than 26 miles a day, and with EV’s now capable of going more than 200 miles on a single charge, there’s plenty of range.
Now that we have busted the EV range myth, we will move onto the next: “Charging an EV is so inconvenient when compared to filling up at a gas station.” But we’ll tackle that one next month!