What is the range of an electric car?

Keen to know more about the everyday practicality of driving an electric car? And how often you’d need to charge up the battery? Find out how far you can drive an electric vehicle (EV) on a single charge, as well as how factors like battery size and driving styles can impact on overall range.

What is the range of an electric car?

The range of electric vehicles (EVs) varies greatly – depending on key factors like the weight and size of the car, battery size and electric motor specification. But also things like the driving style, terrain and local climate of a particular journey. With the right insights into what affects EV range you will also be able to conserve power and extend the distance you can travel even further.

At a glance: How different battery and motor options affect range

eu-common-user-input-table
	Battery size (kWh)	Range (km)	Motor power (ps)
Long range, high power	64	Up to 452	204
Mid range, mid power	39.2	Up to 277	136

eu-common-user-input-table
	Battery size (kWh)	Range (km)	Motor power (ps)
Long range, high power	64	Up to 455	204
Mid range, mid power	39.2	Up to 289	136

Does an electric vehicle range fit with my lifestyle and needs?

If you’re 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? Half of all journeys are less than 8 km.⁽¹⁾

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 range
fits your lifestyle & needs.

Driving even further on electric

There are many ways to extend the distance you can drive on electric. Various internal and external factors have an effect on EV range – not least the electric car model you drive. Here are some others to consider when it comes to achieving maximum range potential.

Individual driving styles

As a general rule: the faster you go, the more power you’ll use. And the more aggressively you press your foot down on the accelerator or brake, the more battery energy you will consume.

Driving terrain & conditions

Both the topography of the land and driving conditions affect how far an EV can drive on a single charge. Powering up steep inclines uses up more energy than driving on flat terrain.

Factors that might affect battery levels

Individual
driving styles
Cabin features &
cargo weight
Driving terrain &
conditions
Weather conditions &
temperature

Cabin features & cargo weight

The battery’s discharge rate also depends on the overall weight of your electric vehicle, including the number of passengers and amount of cargo you’re transporting. As well as the number of auxiliary systems you are using as you drive, such as for your headlights or cabin heating.

Weather conditions & temperature

Be aware that in very cold or very hot weather, your electric car will need to use heating or cooling systems to keep its battery at an optimum temperature. It will also use extra energy on things like keeping passengers comfortable either with heating or air conditioning.

More tips for extending your range

Here are some useful ways to minimise unnecessary use of your EV’s battery – and maximise potential range at the same time.

Consciously apply eco-driving techniques to extend your range. These include keeping to a moderate speed, avoiding “hard starts” and maximising regenerative braking by coasting whenever possible.
The heavier your car, the more power per kilometre it requires. So make sure you don’t keep your trunk packed full of things you don’t need very often.
Try not to leave your car stationary for long periods (more than 8 hours) at 100% state of charge. In fact, leaving the battery nearly or fully charged will have a negative impact on overall battery life.
On cold days, plan in enough time to keep your EV plugged in while you warm it up. This will mean you have more battery charge when you hit the road.