We’re often asked if electric vehicles (E.V.s) are a good option for drivers with long commutes. The short answer is yes, but there’s more to it than that, as you might expect. It depends on many factors, I.e., the range of the vehicle and the availability of the E.V. charging stations. Also, it depends on what people assume the long-distance; for example, some people take a long commute of 45 minutes.
However, some take it for 30 minutes. Some people consider one hour drive a long commute. Let’s look at what kinds of commutes E.V.s can handle and how far most electric vehicles will get you on a single charge. Most electric vehicles will suit the needs of many commuters, especially if you are in an area where charging stations are plentiful.
Most E.V. models can handle your long commutes up to 90 minutes daily due to their long-range batteries. Many people think range anxiety still plagues E.V. drivers. This used to be accurate; the original Nissan Leaf could only travel about 75 miles on a full charge, and earlier Tesla models were even less capable.
Long Commutes Examples
Today’s E.V.s are much better; the Chevy Bolt, for example, can travel about 238 miles on a single charge. In other words, if you drive 15 miles to work and back home every day, you could go almost two weeks before you need to recharge the vehicle (depending on your electricity rates).
Some cheaper models of under 150-miles, I.e., mini cooper Se electric and Nissan leaf, have short battery range and can cause you to range anxiety. And they’re only getting better; some newer models can travel even further.
Role of Charging Stations in EVs Long Commutes
Most electric vehicles will suit the needs of many commuters, especially if you are in an area where charging stations are plentiful. But it’s important to do your research before you buy. Charging outlets play an essential role in E.V.s long commute.
If you are living in a country where the charging outlet number is high, then you are good to go on long commutes even with the low range of your E.V. However, if you are living in a country where the charging stations are limited then range anxiety can be developed in E.V. owners on long commutes. I.e., in the U.S., the total number of E.V. charging stations is 113,600.
Role of Range on Long Commutes of Electric Vehicles
The content of electric vehicles decides whether your E.V. is good to go on a long commute or not. Long-range E.V. is suitable for long commutes. Sometimes the average and even short-range vehicles are ideal for long commutes depending on what you consider a long commute, I.e., 30, 40 or 1 hour? Here is the average, short and long-range E.V.s mentioned below.
When deciding between gasoline or electric vehicle, you’ll want to think about the battery range. The Chevy Bolt, for example, can travel about 238 miles on a single charge. If you drive more than that in your commute every day, E.V. may be a better fit.
Nissan Leaf has a maximum range of 109 miles, Hyundai Kona, Volkswagen ID.3 Tour, and Kia EV6 have somewhat the range of 186-300 miles on a single charge.
Role of Driving Conditions on Long Commutes of EVs
However, driving conditions will also affect how far your vehicle goes per charge. If it’s hot out or there are hills involved in your commute, then the range of your electric vehicle will decrease significantly, sometimes by as much as 50 per cent!
So, if you live somewhere with long commutes through warm weather and hilly terrain like Los Angeles or Phoenix, where temperatures reach upwards of 110 degrees Fahrenheit regularly during summertime months, then an E.V. may not be practical for daily commuting purposes.
15 Miles, Work Distance
If you drive 15 miles to work and back home every day, you could go almost two weeks before you need to recharge the vehicle. However, as a rule of thumb, the distance that a vehicle can travel on a single charge will roughly equal the number of miles it takes you to drive from your place of origin to where you work or school each day.
So, if it takes 15 miles for you to get there each day (and return), then an electric vehicle with less than 100 miles per charge should be acceptable. But what if it’s not? What if your commute is longer than 15 miles? Or what if it’s shorter than 15 but still farther than 100? Well, in those cases and many others, your options may be limited by how often and where you can find charging stations along your route.
Are Electric Vehicles Suitable for Long-Distance?
In addition to the obvious benefit of reduced emissions, electric vehicles offer other advantages for drivers who travel long distances. Electric vehicles are great for commuting because they can travel long distances with ease and quietness.
The smoothness of operation offered by electric motors is also an important consideration when driving long distances. Many people enjoy forcing electric vehicles because they’re able to go faster than gasoline-powered vehicles while being quieter and smoother operators.
With innovative technology advancing rapidly in this field, it’s only a matter of time before electric vehicles become even more efficient and capable of travelling farther without stopping or charging up their batteries.
Which Electric Vehicle is Best for Long-Distance?
The analysis of the excellent performance of electric vehicles depends on many factors, i.e., battery size and weight, battery range on a single range, towing power, charging infrastructure, breakers, wiring and cables, and electric motors. However, the main factor that decides which electric vehicle is best for long-distance is the E.V. range on a single charge.
With 250 to 300 miles, the Tesla Model 3 has the most extended range of any electric vehicle. That’s longer than it takes to drive across most states in the U.S. and more than enough for most drivers’ everyday commute.
An electric vehicle with the highest range on a single charge is best for long-distance. Here is the list of some electric vehicles and their ranges considered the best vehicles for long distances.
What are the 3 Disadvantages of an Electric Vehicle?
Electric vehicles are slowly becoming more popular, with over half a million E.V.s sold in the United States in 2015. They have many advantages over traditional combustion engine vehicles, including lower fuel costs, reduced emissions, and less noise pollution. However, they do have some disadvantages as well.
Disadvantages
- Limited Range
- Less Autonomous
- Expensive
Limited Range
The first disadvantage to electric vehicles is their limited range. Although most E.V.s can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge (and some even more), they still require frequent recharging stops. Thus, electric vehicles can be inconvenient for long-distance journeys or for those who want the freedom to drive anywhere without worrying about refueling.
Less Autonomous
A second disadvantage is that most E.V.s are not yet fully autonomous. They still require human input for things like steering and braking, which can make them dangerous when driven by inexperienced drivers or careless pedestrians.
Expensive
Finally, E.V.s are generally more expensive than traditional vehicles because of the cost of batteries and other components necessary for running an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine.
While some companies offer incentives like tax credits or discounts off MSRP prices to help offset these costs, they may not be enough incentive for consumers who don’t drive much each month and need something reliable without worrying about maintenance costs down.
Are Electric Vehicles Suitable for Highway Driving?
Electric vehicles get a bad rap for long-distance driving. But are they really any different from gas vehicles? The answer is no, especially with advanced electric vehicle batteries. Electric vehicles can drive longer distances with stronger acceleration, cleaner emissions, and faster charging times than their gas counterparts.
Electric Vehicles are Best for Highway Driving Because They have Faster Charging than Expected
In general, electric vehicles charge much faster than you’d think. In addition to their ranges getting better every passing day, the E.V. chargers have also been advanced. Today’s chargers are quicker and provide enough power in a limited time to the battery pack. As with all thing’s electricity, several factors determine how long it takes to run your vehicle’s battery:
- Charger. The bigger the charger and the more powerful its source, the faster it’ll take to fill up your vehicle’s battery pack. Chargers for home use are most common, but you can also get those that plug into a standard wall outlet at work or at the mall.
- If you have access to an outlet in your garage or on a wall near where you park, this could make all the difference when it comes time for charging. The smaller and less powerful source will mean longer hours spent waiting for full-up power levels!
- Battery size/condition and temperature, Charging method.
Electric Vehicles have a Better Range than Expected.
Electric vehicles indeed have a much lower range than gas vehicles, but this is only a problem if you think of the vehicle as your primary mode of transportation. If your daily commute is less than 30 miles, and you don’t need to take long trips or drive in the winter, an electric vehicle might be efficient for you.
Electric vehicles can be charged at home or at public charging stations. A full charge takes about 20 minutes and costs around $1, depending on where you live in the United States. If it takes longer than expected to get back home after work, all it takes is 20 minutes for a full charge before heading out again. Electric vehicles are also more efficient than those with gasoline engines even when they’re not plugged in., They use 80% less energy per mile driven thanks to regenerative braking systems, which generate electricity when slowing down or braking hard.
E.V.s are Great for All Kinds of Driving, including Long-Distance Highway Trips.
An E.V.’s battery can be fully charged when plugged into a Level 2 or Level 3 fast charger, deployed across the country at an increasing pace. This means that E.V.s will get you where you need to go on time, even if your trip requires hours of driving through uninhabited areas with no opportunity to recharge. For more info related to Electric Vehicles may checked on vehicles ambassador.