EVs with the best travel ranges explored
The biggest concern for most potential buyers of electric vehicles, other than the price, is range capacity. We take a look at several options that might just be the ticket.
South Africa is vast, and travelling between towns or going on holiday with a vehicle with a range capacity of 300 or so kilometres can be stressful.
But as with all things technological, battery technology has improved, and a national charging network has been established and is growing. Most EVs today can do 400 or more kilometres on a full charge.
A survey done by Autotrader shows that range anxiety has fallen from 26% in 2021 to 21% in 2022.
Audi claims a range of 520km for its stylish Audi e-tron 55 Quattro S line SUV, its 2022 models fetching an average price of R2.2m.
The SUV’s more powerful four-door sports car sibling, the sexy Audi e-tron GT, claims a range of between 452km to 488km. It is priced on average at R2.4m for 2022 models. The Porsche Taycan rival offers a claimed range of 484km, but is slightly pricier, with 2021 models commanding an average price of R2.6m.
A potential range of up to 510km can be had with less strain on the wallet. Selling on average for R1.8m. a 2022 sporty BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe requires just 21 minutes at a fast-charging station for 100km’s worth of range. This is far less time than the normal holiday road trip pit stop.
An average price of R1.6m buys you a 2021 Jaguar I-Pace with only 19 955 clicks on the clock. This large and elegantly sculpted premium SUV boasts a range of 470km.
Electric vehicles are blisteringly quick, and the Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge Twin AWD Ultimate is a true pocket rocket. It offers a range of 418km. 2022 models with minimal mileage have realised a somewhat more palatable average price of R1.3m.
Claimed range figures are factored on combined city (higher range) and highway (lower range) driving cycles, as well as cooler climate conditions.
While you can expect less range in South African conditions, and particularly in non-stop open road motoring, long road trips in an EV are now doable.
And if you happen to be stopping in towns or sightseeing along the way to your destination, the regenerative braking that comes with those stops will feed electricity back to the battery and increase your range.
Source: Nikki Chennells
