Are Electric Vehicles Good For Long Trips?

Last Updated on October 8, 2022 by

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It’s now 2022, so can you finally start traveling long distances in your electric car? The answer is, maybe.

You can keep on traveling in your electric car, provided that it has charge. Charging stations can now be found in most major places across the country, so you shouldn’t have too much difficulty finding one.

But let’s say you want to go somewhere more remote. If there aren’t charging stations available on the route you’re taking, taking your electric vehicle may not be such a good idea.

With that said, you’ll need to plan out your trip to ensure that there are charging stations on the way. If you do this, you can go on long trips with your electric vehicle.

How Far Can You Travel With An Electric Car?

On a single full charge, an electric vehicle is expected to travel around 211 miles. The actual range of your vehicle will be determined by various factors.

This includes what the size of the battery is, in kW, as well as the weight and design of the EV. Other factors such as the temperature and the weather will also factor in.

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How you drive your EV will also play a role in determining how far it can take you. Let’s say you’re driving on a motorway at a speed that’s constant, so you end up getting better range.

On the other hand, you could be driving in the inner city, at more variable speeds, stopping and starting more. In this case, your range will be different again.

How Far Can An Electric Car Travel On A Single Charge?

An electric vehicle is capable of traveling up to 211 miles on a single charge. But there are other factors that could also affect how far you can go.

These include:

• The battery size
• The weight and design of the vehicle
• Weather and temperature
• What kind of speeds the car is being driven at

What manufacturers advertise is the max potential range when the driving conditions are perfect. There are manufacturers who provide figures that are different, both for motorway, as well as driving within the city.

When it comes to the estimated vehicle range that is most accurate, look no further than the EPA range. This provides accurate representation when it comes to driving conditions that are mixed.

Charging Electric Vehicles On The Road

Are you planning to go on a road trip with your electric car? If this is the case, then you’ll need to ensure that you can find charging stations for your EV, on the way.

There are many electric vehicles these days that boast ranges upwards of 200 miles, on a single charge. This means it’s easier than ever before, for you to take a road trip with your electric vehicle.

There is a complication you’ll face however, and that is that you’ll inevitably find yourself needing to charge your EV while on your trip.

You could be someone who likes to budget, and are wondering how much it would cost you to charge your EV on the trip.

What you should note here is that calculating exactly how much you’ll spend can be difficult. There are various chargers as well as charging networks that you’ll find on your way.

The cost of electricity however, can change from state to state. On average, you can expect to spend between $10 and $30 on a single charge for your EV.

Planning A Road Trip With An Electric Car

Yes, it’s possible for you to go on a long drive with your EV. There are many electric vehicles available today that offer a range of at least 200 miles, on a single charge.

This means that just on one charge, you can already travel great distances in your EV. However, there are some things that you should keep in mind, regarding how far you can take your EV on a single charge.

The estimated range that manufacturers provide for their EVs, are usually meant for vehicles that are constantly being used in perfect road conditions. When you go on a road trip, the road conditions can change.

How do you map a trip with an electric car?

So what should you note when it comes to going on long distance journeys with your EV?

• Whether you’re driving on the motorway, or mostly doing inner city driving, will affect how far you can go.
• You should plan out your route ahead of time, to ensure that there are ample charging stations on the route you take.
• The cost of electricity varies between states, so how much you need to pay to charge your EV will vary as well.

It generally takes between $10 and $30 to charge your EV while you’re on your road trip. But the actual cost will also depend on the kind of charger that you’re using.

This means that taking your EV on a road trip can be compared to similar journeys in vehicles powered by gas.

How Much Does It Cost To Charge An Electric Car?

The average cost of charging your electric vehicle using a commercial charger, will be between $10 and $30. However, this is a figure that tends to become complex, as there are multiple factors that could affect how much it costs to charge your EV.

The first thing worth noting is that using a commercial charger to charge your EV is more expensive when compared to charging your EV in your home. The variation in costs when it comes to charging electric vehicles when traveling long distances  can be attributed to several factors.

These include:

• There are wide variations when it comes to the cost of electrical power. The rates for commercial chargers can be twice or even three times that of residential rates.
• There could be different types of chargers available, as well as different types of batteries that need to be charged. Different chargers means that the charging speeds will vary as well. How much charge the battery has, the temperature, and other factors could also affect how fast your EV will be charged.
• The pricing systems could be different as well. When calculated based on a per kWh basis, which means how much charge you’ll be getting per dollar, the prices can vary.

How much money does it cost to charge an electric car at home?

You should also take into consideration what kind of charger you can use on your EV. This is as EV chargers can be different.

There are three tiers, when it comes to EV chargers. The first tier chargers need around 24 hours to provide a full charge.

Second tier chargers are the kind that’s usually found in centers for shopping. You’ll need to spend between $1 to $5 every hour, to use these chargers.

The third tier chargers are also known as direct current fast chargers. These can charge you battery to full in as little as an hour, and can cost between $10 to $30 to use.

FAQ Relating To Electric Vehicle Long Trips

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People have many questions when it comes to EVs and long drives. These are the most common questions that people have about electric vehicles traveling long distances.

Are Electric Cars Good For Long Distance Traveling?

Electric vehicles can be used for long distance driving, provided that you’ve planned your route out ahead of time. While charging stations are becoming more widely available across the country, there are still places without charging stations.

This means that you should take the time out to figure out whether charging stations are on your way or not. If they aren’t, you may have to change your route to include places with charging stations on the way.

Many electric vehicles these days can travel upwards of 200 miles on a single charge. So as long as you plan your route out carefully, you’ll be able to go on long road trips in your electric vehicle.

What Are 3 Disadvantages To An Electric Car?

Owning an electric car comes with many advantages, but there are certain disadvantages that you should be aware of as well. These include:

• Your range could be limited based on how far your EV can drive on a single full charge. For many EVs, this is somewhere around 200 miles.
• It is more difficult to find charging stations for EVs, than it is to find gas stations for regular cars.
• Charging your EV can take time as well, and fast charging stations aren’t always available.

But these disadvantages can be countered as well. There are more and more charging stations opening up across the country, making it easier than ever before to travel long distances in your EV.

Are Electric Cars Good For Highway?

Electric cars can be good for driving on the highway, where you’re driving at constant speeds. This is better than inner city driving, where you’re more likely to start and stop your car more often.

What’s The Longest Distance You Can Drive Electric Car?

211 miles is the longest distance you can drive your electric car on a single charge. But if you keep charging your electric vehicle on the way, you can go longer as well.

This means that it’s very much possible to go on road trips using your electric car.