Are we still afraid of the rapid discharge of the electric car?
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New electric vehicle (EV) drivers often face one of their biggest fears on the road: what happens if the battery runs out before reaching the destination?
The fear of running out of "fuel" while driving an EV is one of the main reasons drivers opt to stick with diesel or petrol-powered vehicles. A 2019 "Volvo" study revealed that 58% of drivers cited "running out of power" as the main barrier to purchasing an EV. Additionally, 49% mentioned the "lack of charging stations," which adds inconvenience for EV users.
However, it’s worth noting that a recent "Green Car Reports" survey found that 95% of EV owners never ran out of energy during their journeys. Furthermore, 77% of buyers reported feeling at ease about battery levels shortly after purchasing an EV.
What happens when your EV battery nears zero?
When your EV battery approaches zero, you’ll definitely know. EVs don’t suddenly stop like petrol or diesel vehicles when they run out of fuel. Modern EVs will send multiple warnings as the battery approaches depletion, encouraging you to head to the nearest charging station.
Most EVs also provide an estimated range based on remaining energy. These alerts often come early enough to allow drivers to plan their route to the nearest charging station.
What to do if your EV battery reaches 0%?
What would you do if your fuel-powered car ran out of gas? Likely, you’d call friends or a towing service for assistance. The same logic applies to EVs.
A startup called "SparkCharge" in the United States has introduced a game-changing solution for EVs. They offer mobile charging stations that can be delivered to your location if your battery runs out mid-trip. While this innovative service is currently available only in the U.S., there’s hope that it will expand to Europe soon.
In Lithuania, without mobile charging services, the only option is towing your EV to the nearest charging station. While similar to towing a conventional car, finding someone to tow an EV might take hours. Therefore, it’s advisable to carefully plan your journey and monitor your EV’s energy levels. By doing so, you can avoid being stranded.
Let’s take a look at the range of the most popular EVs in Lithuania on a single charge.
The most popular EV in Lithuania in 2020 was the "Nissan Leaf," with 867 registered vehicles. Driving at 110 km/h on the Kaunas-Vilnius highway consumes approximately 1% of energy per kilometer, meaning you can only cover about 100 km at that speed. However, within city limits, the range extends to 150 km, or up to 170 km with energy-saving driving. For heavy-footed drivers, the range may drop to 130 km, still sufficient for a week’s commute.
The second most popular EV in Lithuania is the Tesla brand (378 units).
The Tesla Model S is a fully electric, luxurious five-door sedan known for being the third-fastest accelerating production car. It boasts an impressive range of 575 km, making it suitable for city driving and long-distance trips across Lithuania. For instance, you can travel from Vilnius to the seaside with 200 km of range still left.
The third spot among popular EVs in Lithuania goes to Volkswagen (323 units).
The Volkswagen e-up, a compact city car, offers a range of up to 160 km. It’s small and easy to park, making it an excellent choice for daily commutes in urban areas. Unsurprisingly, its primary buyers are residents of large cities.
Ultimately, the choice depends on individual needs. Some may prefer compact models designed for short commutes, while others opt for EVs with 100 kWh batteries, offering ranges of 600 km or more. These vehicles may only need to be charged 2–3 times a month, ensuring peace of mind and convenience during longer trips.
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