An EV driver experiencing range anxiety worries that their battery will not last long enough to get to their destination, similar to a car driving in the middle of the desert with a broken fuel gauge and nowhere to fill up.
Few in the industry were surprised when respondents cited electric vehicle range as the most critical factor in their EV selection process in J.D. Power’s first Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study in 2021.
In spite of automakers’ belief that EVs with a range of 120 miles would be adequate for the average consumer, who travels about 40 miles per day, the J.D. Power survey confirms that buyers feel more comfortable with higher ranges.
However, each model scoring above the average in the Overall Customer Satisfaction Index had at least 239 miles of EPA-rated range (Kia Niro EV), even though the average range has reached 200 miles. As a comparison, all EVs scoring below the average had ranges below 239 miles (including some that missed the mark, like the Audi e-Tron at 222 miles).
In light of that, here are some of the measures major EV automakers are taking to increase their vehicles’ ranges.
Dodge
Dodge RAM 1500 REV will introduce a battery-powered pickup in late 2024 (with its initial production run already sold out) that will address range anxiety by combining an internal combustion engine and range extender. The RAM 1500 REV, according to Dodge, will deliver near-identical range, payload capacity, and maximum towing to its internal combustion (ICE) models in terms of range, payload capacity, and max towing.
In spite of the fact that Dodge has not released specific details, industry analysts predict it will use an ICE to generate power for the battery.
Ford
As part of their research project with the European Commission in Cologne, Germany, Ford engineers have been heating the interior surfaces of electric vehicles to extend range.
They compared the impact of heating door panels, armrests, sun visors, floor mats, and a heated panel below the steering wheel on range to the results achieved by simply blowing hot air into the cabin of an E-Transit delivery van.
As the van made deliveries, the doors and windows were frequently opened. Testing took place in the winter and summer, in heavy rain and wind, and on dry and wet roads.
The Ford study found that heating the inside surfaces rather than just the air in the cabin reduced energy consumption by 13 percent, even though both methods used battery power. A 5% increase in range would be achieved based on real-world charging patterns, the automaker says.
There are also other concepts being evaluated by Ford, such as a heat exchanger that uses heat from the drive unit to heat the interior of the vehicle, a cooling system specifically designed to cool the battery, and a powertrain conditioning feature that optimizes temperatures in order to maximize efficiency.
General Motors
To extend the range provided by its Ultium battery platform, GM switched to silicon carbide battery systems supplied by Wolfspeed, Inc. Batteries made from silicon carbide have longer or similar ranges from a smaller package, making them more efficient. EVs using the Ultium platform were introduced in 2022 with the GMC Hummer EV, followed by the Cadillac LYRIQ and Chevrolet Silverado EV in 2023.
In the future, GM intends to use solid-state batteries. Solid-state batteries are a breakthrough in battery storage capacity; they are less susceptible to fire and lose less power in cold weather. The company built a new battery factory in the US in 2021 with POSCO Chemical, a Korean company involved in solid-state batteries.
In the beginning, the factory will produce Ultium lithium-ion batteries, but analysts expect it to eventually manufacture solid-state batteries as well.
A total of 30 new electric vehicles will be manufactured by GM by 2025 with the Ultium platform that can be reconfigured for various sizes. By 2030, the automaker plans to manufacture 50% electric vehicles in its North American and Chinese factories and stop making gas- and diesel-powered vehicles.
Tesla
EV ownership has been hampered by range anxiety, which Tesla has always identified as one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption. Tesla became the U.S. EV market leader in 2018, with a market share of 63.5 percent.
In 2020, the automaker promised 56 percent less battery prices with the introduction of 4680 battery cells at a battery-focused event. In addition to increasing range by 54 percent, the 4680 was also claimed to be able to incorporate improved cell design, anode and cathode materials, and cell vehicle integration to boost range.
It is theoretically possible for a Tesla Model Y equipped with the 4680 integrated structural battery to achieve a range of 508 miles based on the EPA’s range rating. Tesla has yet to confirm or deny this calculation.
Ample
It is important to note that Ample is not an EV manufacturer, but rather works with major automakers on the development of battery swapping stations that will allow EV owners to replace their batteries in minutes with fully charged replacements.
It is not true that battery swapping increases EV range, but it does reduce range anxiety by ensuring drivers do not have to interrupt their journeys to recharge. As part of the swapping station, the EV must use either an Ample-built battery or an Ample-compatible universal battery structure. Even if the concept is widely adopted by car manufacturers, this factor could prevent legacy EV models from using it.
Final Thoughts
Automakers’ efforts are beginning to pay off as more and more EV owners in J.D. Power’s 2023 EVX ownership survey favor traditional factors such as vehicle quality and styling over range as a major concern.
In all of the EVX studies, the main finding was that people who own EVs do not want to go back to gas-powered cars. As a result, automakers should be motivated to expand the range and models available to EV owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an electric vehicle range?
On a single charge of an electric vehicle (EV), the vehicle can travel a maximum distance. In addition to the battery capacity, the vehicle’s efficiency, the driving conditions, your driving style, as well as external factors such as the terrain and the temperature, this range depends on a number of factors.
What is the maximum range of EV?
EPA ratings estimate that the Lucid Air Dream Edition could travel 520 miles (837 kilometers) on a single charge by 2024, which is well beyond the range of commercially available electric vehicles today.
Which EV has a 1000 km range?
It is currently impossible to buy an electric vehicle that can travel more than 1000 kilometers on a single charge. But some concept vehicles and prototypes, such as the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX, claim they can achieve such ranges under specific conditions.
What is the true range of electric cars?
Real-world factors can affect electric car ranges significantly, resulting in a wide range from advertised to actual. These factors include:
- Driving Speed: Due to increased aerodynamic drag, higher speeds generally result in shorter ranges.
- Climate: It is possible for extreme temperatures to affect the performance and efficiency of batteries.
- Terrain: The energy consumption of a vehicle can be increased in hilly or mountainous terrain, which can reduce its range.
- Driving Habits: It is possible to lower the range by accelerating and braking aggressively.
- Load: It is possible to reduce the range of the vehicle if you carry heavy loads or additional passengers.
