How can you estimate the range of your vehicle?

29 Jan 2024

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One of the most common concerns for anyone considering the purchase of an electric vehicle is calculating the range and mileage. As much as we love the eco-friendly and cost-effective nature of EVs, range anxiety can still be a real issue. Being able to accurately calculate how far your electric car can go on a single charge is essential for planning long trips and avoiding the dreaded feeling of running out of juice.

So, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of electric car range and mileage and how to calculate them.

Electric Car Range vs. Mileage

Before we jump into the calculations, let's first differentiate between electric car range and mileage. Range refers to the distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge, while mileage is the number of miles driven per unit of energy consumed (usually measured in kWh or kW per 100 miles).

Factors Affecting Range and Mileage

The range and mileage of your electric car depend on many factors, including but not limited to:

• The capacity of your car's battery
• The weight of your car
• The speed and acceleration
• The temperature outside
• The use of air conditioning and heating
• The type of terrain (hills, highways, city streets)

Calculating Electric Car Range

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The easiest way to calculate your electric car's range is by using the manufacturer-provided range estimate. However, this estimate tends to be based on ideal driving conditions, and real-life driving may differ significantly. This is where some basic calculations come in handy.

To calculate the range of your electric car, follow these simple steps:

1. Take note of the battery capacity (in kWh) of your electric vehicle. This information can usually be found in your car's manual or online.
2. Estimate your average watt-hours per mile (Wh/mi) based on your driving pattern. This can be calculated by dividing your average miles per charge by the battery capacity (in kWh). For example, if you have a 40 kWh battery and get about 120 miles of range per charge, your average Wh/mi would be around 333.

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   Multiply your average Wh/mi by the total battery capacity (in kWh) to get your estimated range. Using the previous example, your estimated range would be around 133 miles (333 Wh/mi x 40 kWh).

Calculating Electric Car Mileage

To calculate your electric car's mileage, follow these steps:

1. Take note of your car's energy consumption rate (in kWh/100 miles). This information can usually be found on your car's display or in the manual.
2. Divide the energy consumption rate by 10 to get the energy consumption rate per mile (in kWh/mi). For example, if your car's energy consumption rate is 33 kWh/100 miles, your energy consumption rate per mile would be 3.3 kWh/mi.
3. Calculate your electric car's mileage by dividing 100 by the energy consumption rate per mile. Using the previous example, your electric car mileage would be around 30 miles per kWh (100 / 3.3).

Key Takeaways

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Calculating the range and mileage of your electric car may seem daunting at first, but it's a simple process that can make a big difference in how you plan and use your vehicle. Some key takeaways include:

• Range refers to the distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge, while mileage is the number of miles driven per unit of energy consumed.
• Factors affecting range and mileage include battery capacity, weight, speed, temperature, and terrain.
• To calculate the range of your electric car, determine battery capacity and average watt-hours per mile, then multiply them.
• To calculate mileage, determine the energy consumption rate and divide by 10 for the energy consumption rate per mile, then divide 100 by the energy consumption rate per mile.

By understanding how to calculate electric car range and mileage, you can plan trips and feel confident in the capabilities of your eco-friendly ride. Plus, never again will range anxiety stop you from exploring new places with your EV.

This is the range we recommend based on all of the factors you've selected. Keep in mind, this number is a generalization and your individual mileage may vary.

It's important to note that this number is a result of all factors above combined. If some of these factors will not overlap (for example, you won't use a bike rack in cold weather), than we encourage you to try the estimator again with this in mind.

Can you buy a car with less range than recommended? Of course. However in that instance, we recommend the following:

• Opt for an EV that offers DC Fast charging (ideally 150 kW max charge rate or higher), or opt for a plug-in hybrid.
• Take some time to confirm that there are conveniently located DC Fast chargers along the routes that you might need them.
• Make sure that the car you buy is compatible with the charging stations you found in the step above.