Understanding Range and Charging in Electric Vehicles

The range of an electric vehicle (EV) is one of its most critical specifications, as it dictates how far the EV can travel on a single charge The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for providing these range estimates, which encompass a variety of driving conditions These conditions include different speeds, driving on hills, patterns such as aggressive acceleration, the ambient temperature, and the age of the battery. Experts suggest that for optimal battery longevity, owners should habitually charge their EVs to about 80% instead of always opting for a full charge There are several levels of charging available for EVs: Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging – with Level 2 being the predominant choice for residential charging, and Level 3 offering the quickest charge at a higher cost.