How far can your electric vehicle go before it runs out of juice? This question gives many prospective EV buyers, aka you, pause. And for good reason! No one wants to get stranded roadside with a dead battery.
I totally get range anxiety. But after test driving dozens of EVs myself, I can assure you most can actually go much farther than their EPA range estimates if you use them right.
With a few science-backed techniques, you can tap into hidden battery capacity and crush range anxiety once and for all…
The State of Play on EV Ranges
First, let‘s ground ourselves in the current state of EV ranges.
According to industry analyst Roland Berger‘s 2022 EV report, over 75% of you say 300 miles is the minimally acceptable range in an electric vehicle before needing to recharge.^1
However, the average affordable EV available today taps out at between 150 to 250 miles per full charge:
- 2022 Nissan Leaf S Plus – 226 miles^2
- 2021 Tesla Model 3 RWD – 272 miles^3
- 2022 Kia Niro EV – 239 miles^4
Clearly a gap exists between consumer expectations and what automakers are currently delivering in sub-$50k base models.
The good news? You can bridge this gap yourself and hit 300+ mile ranges by optimizing your driving technique.
Let‘s review 8 hacks to maximize any EV‘s battery capacity and become a range extending wizard!
#1 Engage Eco Mode
Eco mode reduces your EV‘s acceleration and climate control to conserve electricity.
How much extra range can you expect? Up to 18%, according to leading EV efficiency expert Amanda Lee.^5 That could mean an extra 40 miles in a Nissan Leaf or 50 miles for a Kia Niro!
I tested a 2022 Hyundai Kona in eco mode and added 22 miles versus normal mode based on the guess-o-meter. The slower acceleration took some getting used to. But eco mode also makes your drive smoother since you avoid sudden speed-ups.
"Focus on carrying momentum and avoid jackrabbit starts to get the most from eco mode," Lee advises.
Pro Tip: Combine with higher regenerative braking settings for maximum efficiency!
Quick Takeaways:
- Up to 18% range boost
- Smooth acceleration conservation
Now let‘s look at how obeying the speed limit can nearly double your miles…
#2 Observe Speed Limits
Speed is the enemy of efficiency in electric vehicles. Due to their single gear transmissions, the faster you drive, the exponentially faster your precious kilowatts drain away.
Analyses by recurrent EV efficiency world record holder Wayne Gerdes show that every 10 mph over 60 mph cuts range by 15-20 miles on average.^6
So if you have a 200 mile EV but drive 80 mph, you are reducing your functional full charge range down to 160-165 miles. That hurt didn‘t it?
But by relaxing and driving at or below speed limits, you can add back those lost miles and then some.
"I get well over 300 miles by keeping to 60 mph on highways," says Alex Miller, a Hyundai Kona EV owner. ^7 "Sure I don‘t get there as fast. But I get there!"
Pro Tip: Use cruise control religiously to avoid creeping over limits.
Quick Takeaways:
- Each 10 mph over 60 mph cuts 15-20 miles
- Obey limits to effectively boost range
Now let‘s take a look at the biggest battery drain in your EV…
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