What You Need To Know About Charging
Specifications for EVs include terms not found with their gas-powered counterparts kilowatt-hours and kilowatts . A simplified very simplified way to think of these terms is that kilowatt is similar to horsepower, and kilowatt-hours is like talking about the size of the tank.
A fully electric car needs energy from the battery to run the motor. The size of the battery gets measured in kilowatt-hours. Engines get listed in terms of peak output addressed in kilowatts.
Charging an EV battery can be done at home or at public charging stations. Three types of chargers are available. Compare the charging speed of different methods or chargers by looking at miles gained per minute of charging.
- Level 1 charging is the slowest and uses a standard household 120-volt outlet and gains about five miles per hour of charging.
- Level 2 uses a 240-volt electrical circuit typically used in homes for electric dryers. This method can capture about 35 miles or more per hour of charging. Most public charging stations offer Level 2 chargers.
- Level 3 DC fast chargers supply a tremendous amount of power to an electric car battery. Newer EVs can charge from nearly empty to around 80% capacity in as little as 30 minutes using a Level 3 charger. These chargers make up less than 20% of the charging outlets available in the U.S.
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Rivian R1t: 254 Miles
Real-world Highway Range: 254 milesEPA-estimated Range: 314 miles Difference: -19.1% -7.3%
The Rivian R1T finished up with 254 miles driven on a windy day in New Jersey. While the official EPA range rating for the vehicle is 314 miles, Rivian states on its website that vehicles equipped with the 20″ off-road wheels should expect to observe 40 miles less driving range.
We suspect if it wasn’t such a windy day when we conducted the range test, the R1T would have gone at least another 10 miles before exhausting its 135 kWh battery pack.
What Is The Range Of An Electric Smart Car
I just saw Smartâs promo video for their new electric compact SUV, and I have to have it! I know it wonât be out for a while, but once I get it, I want to zip around the country to visit all my sorority sisters. But I _am_ wondering if this smart car has a good range. Can you tell me the range of this electric Smart car?
Hereâs what we know about the range of electric Smart cars:
- Smartâs Concept #1 electric SUV appears to be a healthy performer and comes with a 66kWh battery powertrain that will recharge quickly. Itâs powered by a single electric motor that cranks out 268 hp with 253 lb-ft of torque.
- The maximum range for this electric Smart car is between 260 and273 miles per charge.
- If you use a direct current charger with 150kw,_ you can charge up to 80 percent in only half an hour. _An alternating current charge with 22kW can do the same in a little under three hours.
andUsers save an average of $887 a year.
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Tesla Model Y Long Range Dual Motor: 276 Miles
- Real-world Highway Range: 276 miles
- EPA-estimated Range: 316 miles
- Difference: -12.7%
We were able to secure an early Tesla Model Y delivered to New Jersey and take it out on our highway range test course on the New Jersey Turnpike. We weren’t able to go quite as far as we did with the Model 3, but that was expected.
The Model Y is EPA range-rated at 316 miles per charge. In our highway range test, we were able to squeeze out 276 miles with an average consumption rate of 3.85 mi/kWh .
Range King: 2022 Lucid Air Dream Edition Range: 500 Miles
- Real-world Highway Range: 500 miles
- EPA-estimated Range: 520 miles
- Difference: -4.0%
When we set out to range test the Lucid Air Dream Edition Range, we knew it was going to be a long day. More than seven hours later we pulled up to the same Electrify America charging station that we had been at earlier that day and the trip gauge read 500.1 miles.
We shattered our existing record of 310 miles that the Tesla Model 3 Long Range set last year and drove an amazing 190 miles further. We ended up using 117+ kWh of the Air’s 118 kWh battery pack and had an average consumption rate of 4.3 miles per kWh .
We fell only 4% short of the vehicle’s 520-mile EPA Rage rating, which is exceptionally good for a vehicle that uses the EPA 5-cycle test protocol to establish its range certification.
We have a feeling the Air is going to be sitting on top of this list for quite some time.
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Ev Batteries And Cold Weather
It’s important to note that EV batteries lose range not because of how the cold weather affects the physical battery but because of the added power demands that come from operating the car in cold weather.
“When it comes to range reductions, this is largely a factor of increased electrical loads on the battery,” says Navigant’s Abuelsamid. In a typical gas-powered car, the engine generates a lot of heat, which is then used to warm the cabin. An EV doesn’t have an engine, and so must rely on other devices to produce that hot air”and those are a direct drain on the battery,” he says. The colder it is, the more energy is needed to keep the cabin at a comfortable temperature.
“Unfortunately, cold temperatures will always have a negative impact on range,” Abuelsamid says. That plays out in all sorts of way. “Breathing means condensation on cold glass, which requires use of electric defoggers. Longer nights mean more use of headlights. And cold tires, snow, and slush will increase rolling resistance, all of which will reduce range.”
Jeff Wandell, Nissan’s EV communications manager, said in an email response to CR questions that “driving conditions, driving style, and climate extremes all have an effect on battery performance and range. This is common across the automotive industry, and new technology is continuously being developed to minimize these effects.”
The Range Of Hybrid Cars
Hybrid technology partly uses electricity, but its synergy with a combustion engine is a game-changer when it comes to calculating range. Firstly, there are several types of very different hybrids. The two main kinds are rechargeable hybrids and the non-rechargeable hybrid The classic hybrid, like the Clio E-TECH Hybrid, relies solely on regenerative braking to recharge. However, this model can cover up to 80% of time spent driving around town using only electricity. In the case of a plug-in hybrid , it is possible to recharge the vehicle at a charging station in other words on the electricity grid, also used by all-electric cars. The plug-in hybrid also benefits from regenerative braking. Renaults plug-in hybrids offer an electric range of up to 50 kilometers WLTP*. Moreover, they behave similarly to a non-rechargeable hybrid in urban areas or when the battery is empty. Obviously these two scenarios induce different range calculations.
The electric range of a hybrid car is therefore much greater than that of a vehicle equipped with a classic, non-rechargeable hybrid system. Discover the entire range of Renaults hybrid vehicles here.
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The 2024 Ford Puma Ev Will Flaunt A Sleek Futuristic Design
At a glance, the upcoming 2024 Ford Puma EV looks like a distant relative of its former self. Featuring a compact, petite hood, the all-electric Puma boasts elongated headlamps that stretch along the tops of the wheel arches. Similar to that of its cousin, the Mach-E, the 2024 Ford Puma EV flaunts a beefy grille, offering a heightened look that created a strong appearance.
Sleek curves and sharp lines make up the Pumas overall build, with a bold sloping roof creating a coupe-esque feel. Large Puma lettering stretches itself across the EVs rear, with oval-shaped taillamps posing on either side. It’s petite, pretty and modern. Able to rival the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the 2024 Ford Puma EV is bold and attractive enough to compete with the best.
Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo: 252 Miles
- Real-world Highway Range: 252 miles
- EPA-estimated Range: 215 miles
- Difference: +17.2%
A few months ago we were able to conduct our 70 mph range test with a 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo and it finished up with 246 miles driven.
However, this time Kyle got a hold of a Taycan 4 Cross Turismo which should be the most efficient version of the vehicle. As expected, it did a little better than our Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo did and finished up with 252 miles at a constant 70 mph.
The Taycan 4 Cross Turismo has an EPA range rating of 215 miles per charge, and our 70 mph rang test bested that by a whopping 17.2%
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Revolutionizing Transportation: Introducing The Quantino Twenty Five Electric Car
The QUANTiNO twentyfive is an all-electric car thatdoes not require batteries. As a result, you don’t need to charge it but juice it up instead. The liquid bi-ION electrolyte fuel used in QUANTiNO twentyfive’s nanoFlowcell is a non-flammable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly aqueous solution, and lasts for around 1,272 miles before needing refueling.
The technology makes use of a water treatment process that essentially turns salt water or wastewater to be used in a way that acts as a carrier for nano-structured molecules. These act as carriers that support the chemical reaction in order to produce the electrical current required to power the motors.
With regard to power, nanoFlowcell 48VOLT E-drive is initially powered by a small electrolytic capacitor. The QUANTiNO twentyfive also utilizes a multiphase motor design. The four low-voltage e-motors and the 48-volt onboard electronics are subsequently powered by the nanoFlowcell, which then assumes control of the process. The car has a top speed of 124 miles per hour. The car is equipped with n-AI for advanced vehicle safety control, which allows a rigid safety cell despite a detachable car roof.
Porsche Taycan 4s: 278 Miles
- Real-world Highway Range: 277.9 miles
- EPA-estimated Range: 203 miles
- Difference: +36.9%
The Porsche Taycan 4S is the entry-level model in the Taycan family. It comes standard with a 79.2 kWh battery, which is smaller than the 93.4 kWh battery in the Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S. However, buyers can order the larger battery called “Performance Battery Plus” for an additional $5,570.00. The car we tested had the larger battery option, so we were hoping for a good result.
In our range test, the Taycan crushed its EPA range rating of 203 miles per charge Kyle was able to squeeze out 277.9 miles before the vehicle shut down. That’s an amazing 37 percent increase over its EPA-rated range. We’re still a little puzzled at how the Taycan continues to consistently beat its EPA range rating whenever an InsideEVs staff member gets behind the wheel of one.
It’s important to note that only two cars in our 70 mph range tests have ever matched their EPA range rating before this, those being the BMW i3 REx and the Hyundai Ioniq. But those cars just matched their ratings while the Taycan drove 75 miles further than its rating.
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The Range Of Renaults Electric Cars
What is the range of Renault ZOE and other electric vehicles from the Renault range? Depending on the factors listed above, ranges can vary to a certain extent. The Renault website offers a range simulator where you can adjust different criteria and simulate how they influence ZOEs range.
From city cars to utility vehicles, discover the entire range of Renault electric cars and opportunities for test driving the vehicle of your choice.
Does An Electric Vehicle Range Fit With My Lifestyle And Needs
If youre wondering if you can rely on an electric vehicle to get you from A to B without stopping to charge, prepare to have your mind put at rest. The short answer is: The latest electric vehicles can easily manage the vast majority of journeys we take without needing to stop to recharge the battery.
Did you know?
Modern EVs already have an average driving range of approximately 275 km. And some electric car models like the Kia e-Niro and Kia e-Soul have maximum ranges of up to 455 km! In fact, half of all journeys are less than 8 km. Think about how often a year we travel more than 200 km in one journey. It quickly becomes clear that electric cars are capable of achieving the distance required for almost all car trips almost all of the time.
- Find out if electric vehicle rangefits your lifestyle & needs.Take the test
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How Do We Test Real Range
1. We fully deplete the battery.
2. We measure the energy required to fully recharge the battery.
3. We leave the car overnight in an air-conditioned garage set to 18deg C.
4. We check the tyre pressures to ensure they match the manufacturers recommendations.
5. We only test when the ambient air temperature is between 10 and 15deg C.
6. Tests are always conducted with a driver and front passenger, or with the car ballasted accordingly.
7. The climate control is set to 21deg C while the car is plugged in, and its only unplugged once the interior is up to temperature. The climate control is left at the same level for the remainder of the test with headlights switched on.
9. If the car has multiple driving modes, normal is selected, along with the minimum level of regenerative braking.
10. All driving is done at What Car?s private test track. The 19.4-mile route simulates a mix of stop-start urban traffic, rural roads and motorways. This route is driven twice for cars with batteries that accept more than 60kWh during the preparation stage and three times for cars with batteries that accept more than 100kWh.
11. Consistent driving is ensured by the use of a Racelogic Route Profiler, which records speed on a second-by-second basis.
12. At the end of the test, the car is plugged back in and the energy required to return
its battery to full is measured.
13. Knowing the kWh required for the test route and for a full recharge from flat enables us to calculate the Real Range.
Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo: 246 Miles
- Real-world Highway Range: 246 miles
- EPA-estimated Range: 204 miles
- Difference: +20.6%
We got hold of one of the very few Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo in the US and put it to our 70-mph highway range test. It wasn’t even EPA range rated at the time so we couldn’t compare it to the EPA range when we first posted this. However, we have now updated the post to include the EPA range of 204 miles per charge.
The Taycan Cross Turismo clocked in at 246 miles, which is not bad at all, especially considering it had the optional 21″ sport wheels that aren’t the best choice for maximizing range. The Cross Turismo averaged 2.92 mi/kWh which is not nearly as good as the 3.32 mi/kWh we saw when we did the Taycan 4S highway range test.
However, the Cross Turismo is basically a station wagon version of the Taycan, so it isn’t expected to be nearly as efficient. Still, in our opinion, 246 miles is more than an acceptable accomplishment for this vehicle.
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What Determines The Range Of An Electric Vehicle
The range of an electric vehicle depends first and foremost on the capacity of its lithium-ion battery, in other words the amount of electricity it is able to store. Expressed in kWh , it is equivalent to the size of the fuel tank in combustion-powered vehicles: it determines the energy reserves available to the motor and other elements of the vehicle. The level of energy in the battery at a given moment therefore defines the remaining range of the electric vehicle.
The range of electric cars is also affected by other factors that influence the speed at which energy is consumed. Some, such as the energy efficiency or the power of the motor, are intrinsic to the vehicle. Others are related to how the vehicle is driven this is the case for factors such as average speed, acceleration intensity, road topography, the weather, the number of passengers, and the weight of baggage carried in the trunk.
Last Summer We Drove 10 Electric Cars Until They Died To Find Out Their Real
If youre a regular reader, you might remember that this summer we put 10 electric cars through a drive em till they die test to find out how realistic the official range figures are the figures manufacturers are obliged to publish in brochures and on their websites.
We discovered that the answer is: it depends on the car. The Porsche Taycan, for example, got very close to the official figure, whereas the Fiat 500 fell 29% short. Importantly, though, none of the cars we tested actually matched its official range, even in near-ideal conditions on a warm July day. And we know electric vehicle batteries dont work as well in cooler conditions, so what happens to their ranges in winter, when the mercury plummets and the wind picks up?
To answer that very question, we decided to repeat the test on a chilly winter day. We used five of the cars from the summer to allow a direct comparison and also added five new models. Our results show how lower temperatures can affect EV ranges.
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