Question 1

How is the estimated range calculated?

Accepted Answer

The calculator starts with the vehicle's official efficiency (mi/kWh) and adjusts it based on your inputs. It applies multipliers for temperature (using a non-linear curve where range drops in extreme cold or heat), driving conditions (highway driving is less efficient), and climate control use. The final range is `Usable Battery Energy * Adjusted Efficiency`.

Question 2

How much does cold weather really affect EV range?

Accepted Answer

Cold weather is the single biggest factor in range loss. At 0°C (32°F), an EV can lose 20-30% of its range. This increases to 40% or more in freezing conditions, primarily because energy is used to heat the battery and the cabin. Our model is based on a 2019 AAA study that confirmed these significant losses.

Question 3

Why does high-speed highway driving reduce range?

Accepted Answer

Unlike gasoline cars, EVs are most efficient in city driving where regenerative braking recaptures energy. At sustained high speeds, EVs face significant wind resistance (aerodynamic drag), which increases energy consumption quadratically. This means more power is needed to maintain speed, reducing overall range by up to 25% compared to city driving.

Question 4

What are the main assumptions used in the calculation?

Accepted Answer

The calculator uses a temperature penalty curve based on real-world data, with range loss increasing significantly below 0°C (32°F) and moderately above 30°C (86°F). It applies a 25% efficiency penalty for sustained highway driving. Turning on climate control in cold weather adds another ~10% range penalty. The final output is given as a +/- 5% range to account for minor real-world variations.

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Real-World Range Estimator

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