As companies explore the benefits of fleet electrification, they need to consider important EV range factors and how to account for their unique operating conditions, including seasonal variability.
Drawing on an in-depth analysis of EV data from 4,200 connected battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 5.2 million trips, Geotab examined how temperature impacts EV range across diverse fleet operations.
Our findings reveal the optimal operating temperature, how range is impacted by seasonality like the dead of winter or the peak of summer and key takeaways on what you can do to extend the daily range of your EVs.
Range is the distance an EV can drive on a single charge. A vehicle’s published range is based on standardized testing performed on a dynamometer in a test facility. However, as EV drivers know, the officially listed range is best taken as a guideline.
EVs, like gas or diesel vehicles, perform differently in real-life conditions depending on terrain, passenger load, driver behavior, speed and outdoor temperature. These factors all impact the vehicle’s fuel economy (how far a vehicle can go on a given amount of fuel — kWh in the case of EVs) and therefore its range.
The more energy a vehicle’s battery pack can store, the longer its range, but the fuel efficiency of the vehicle is impacted by the vehicle’s design (weight, shape, size, etc.). For a bus to go as far as a 60kWh sedan, for example, the bus would need a much bigger battery.
External conditions can negatively or positively impact the vehicle’s fuel economy on any given trip. Range anxiety is a common concern for drivers, but it isn’t unique to electric vehicles. Slamming on the accelerator between traffic lights or driving on a frigid day means worse efficiency regardless of how you fuel your car.
It’s important for drivers and fleet managers to monitor EV range factors. These factors impact how far a vehicle can travel on a single charge and directly affect efficiency, reliability and operational planning.
EVs perform differently in real-world conditions compared to their rated range. Factors such as battery quality, driving behavior, vehicle design, environmental conditions and charging habits all interact to determine actual range.
By understanding and managing key range factors, fleets can optimize performance, reduce downtime and make smarter decisions when assigning vehicles to specific routes.