Data from thousands of EVs shows the average daily driving distance is a small percentage of the EPA range of most EVs.
For years, range anxiety has been a major barrier to wider EV adoption in the U.S. It’s a common fear: imagine being in the middle of nowhere, with 5% juice remaining in your battery, and nowhere to charge. A nightmare nobody ever wants to experience, right? But a new study proves that in the real world, that’s a highly improbable scenario.
After analyzing information from 18,000 EVs across all 50 U.S. states, battery health and data start-up Recurrent found something we sort of knew but took for granted. The average distance Americans cover daily constitutes only a small percentage of what EVs are capable of covering thanks to modern-day battery and powertrain systems.
The study revealed that depending on the state, the average daily driving distance for EVs was between 20 and 45 miles, consuming only 8 to 16% of a battery’s EPA-rated range. Most EVs on sale today in the U.S. offer around 250 miles of range, and many models are capable of covering over 300 miles.
Yeah, it’s like people who own a pickup truck only so they can tow a boat once or twice a year. It’s unnecessary.
How about they have a pickup to tow a boat any time they want during the season, and also be able to get firewood, mulch or a Christmas tree?
Just tossed 1/8 cord of firewood in the back of my EV6, and it’s pretty easy/common to toss a tree on the roof of a car. How often are you getting mulch?
Every year
So 3 big hauls a year? 2 of which could probably be done with most mid-size or larger cars, and one that could be handled with a $20 home Depot pickup rental annually? You’re probably spending quite a bit more in gas than you’re “saving” by not just renting a pickup for those 1-3 needs annually.