Range of electric cars

The range of an electric car remains a tricky issue. Many people still think that an electric car cannot go further than 100 km and that recharging takes a long time. But is this still a valid thought? 

The answer is simple; no, the range of electric cars has greatly improved and this is not only true for Tesla's and Porsches. Cheaper models from Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai, Renault and Nissan also show increasingly better range radii. With this development, consumers are also increasingly triggered to switch to an all-electric car instead of a fuel-powered one. Meanwhile, more than 135,000 electric cars will be on the road by 2020. This is an increase of over 4% compared to 2019. This increase will increase as more affordable electric cars are added, making them affordable for people with a budget of up to €30,000.00. Renault and Skoda are even bringing models of around EUR 20,000.00 this year. These are the Twingo and the Citigo. As can be clearly seen in the image below, many Volkswagens ID 3s were sold in October. And the increase is significant, especially of fully electric cars. Sales of plug-in hybrids rose less sharply.     

Source: rvo.nl

Charging times and available charging stations 

Although the average Dutchman does not completely empty his battery in one day, it is good to know that there are now more than 1500 fast charging stations. If the car is suitable for this so-called fast charging technique, it will be three quarters charged within half an hour.  

Source: rvo.nl

The overview above was published in 2020. As more electric cars are sold, the number of charging stations will increase. 

Charges for fast charging of electric car

Of course, the cost of driving a car plays an important role when choosing a car. It is easy to calculate the fuel costs of a diesel or petrol car, but it is more complicated when it comes to an electric car. The cost of recharging an electric car depends on the place, at home at the office or at the fast charger, and on the type of car. 

In the case of electric cars, one pays not only for the electricity, but also for the constructed infrastructure. If we assume the cost per 100 km for convenience, in the case of a fast charger you end up with about 12. This is in most cases more expensive than costs for an average petrol car, and let's not even mention diesel cars at all. Fortunately, charging at home is a lot cheaper. Typically, you can drive 100 kilometres at home for half, €6.-. Then, of course, it becomes a lot more interesting and besides, you don't pay road tax. 

Range of electric cars by make and model

There are now more than 60 models available. This number will increase significantly in the coming years. The sales figures will increase particularly as more affordable models are added. Below, we have listed the current range. The range of course depends on your style of driving, the temperature and the landscape. Therefore we have mentioned the average distances: Click on the link to go to the relevant model. 

Range and features Audi E-tron

The Audi E-Tron is the German brand's first all-electric car. Fortunately for Audi, they were able to copy a lot from sister group VW. The model line does not deviate from other Audi's and I personally find the rear end very successful. This SUV falls in the higher segment and, as befits Audi, is not cheap. For over 84,000, you can become its owner. Although the top speed of 200 km/h is fine, the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds can be called impressive. Of course, the range depends on your driving style and weather conditions, but 350 kilometres is easily achievable with a fully charged battery. This E-tron has a large battery pack, which means that recharging at home does take some time. Usually more than 12 hours. 

Range and features BMW i3

BMW got there early in 2013 with their BMW i3. In its early days, this all-electric car was fitted with a small 60 Ah battery, with which it could only cover just over 150 km. BMW has since increased these batteries to a maximum of 120 Ah. The range also increased to (depending on weather and driving style) 300 kilometres. This BMW i3 is a cross between a compact MPV and hatchback. The performance is reasonable, at 160 km/h it does stop and the acceleration from 0-100 km/h is reasonable with an average of 7.5 seconds. Of course BMW doesn't sell this car for under 40,000 euros.    

Range and features BMW iX3

BMW also now builds its compact SUV X3 with electric drive - not at its parent plant in Munich or the X3 plant in the US, but in Shenyang, China. 

BMW initially only wanted to market the electric version of its compact SUV X3 in China. But because the larger iX5 won't be coming to Europe until late 2021, and to shorten the wait, BMW is now bringing the iX3 to Europe in January 2021. 

Few external differences with the fossil-fuelled X3s 

The iX3 is based on the normal BMW X3 with diesel, petrol or hybrid drive and looks very similar from the outside too. Only details such as a largely closed radiator grille and blue body panels hint at the electric drive. The interior and the load volume are also unaffected by the battery pack in the vehicle floor.

As with the combustion engines, the boot of the ix3 measures between 510 and 1,560 litres. As typical for BMW, the interior is characterised by high-quality materials. But besides fine aluminium and stylish leather, BMW also uses hard plastic in some places in the iX3, which clearly feels like it's "made in China" with a wink. 

The power of the BMW iX3 

The electric drive produces no less than 286 hp and 400 Newton metres at the rear axle. That's enough for a sprint to 100 km/h in less than seven seconds. The iX3 can't keep up with competitors like the Mercedes EQC and Audi e-tron in this discipline, especially since it doesn't have the four-wheel drive of the competition. A missed opportunity, or should its big brother, the iX5 soon put things right?

The ix3 accelerates smoothly and quickly to a speed of 180 km/h and this is its top speed. 

The range of the BMW iX3 is fine 

BMW promises a range of 460 kilometres for the ix3. In practice, with a combination of country roads and motorways, the iX3 shows an average consumption of over 20 kWh per 100 kilometres. In practice, the iX3 should be able to cover a good 300 kilometres with its 80 kWh battery, of which 74 kWh can be used. 

Powering up the BMW iX3 

The ix3 charges with up to 150 kW at a suitable fast-charging station. It takes 30 minutes to recharge an empty battery to 80 per cent. When charging at home, it takes seven and a half hours to fully charge.

Range and features Citroen C Zero

The Citroën C-Zero is a small electric car that offers a surprising amount of space for its small size. Its high and narrow body makes it susceptible to crosswinds and not extremely comfortable, but it is very practical.  

The small electric Citroën C-Zero shares technology with the Peugeot iOn and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Handling tends to understeer despite rear-wheel drive. In bends taken too quickly, the ESP intervenes quickly and bumps are not absorbed great. The interior feels a bit plastic and the equipment can be described as sparse. 

The power and price of the Citroën C Zero

This small electric car has a 49 kW engine. Of course, this is not an excessive amount and the top speed is around 130 km/h. The acceleration from 0 - 100 km/h is almost 16 seconds. From this, you can conclude that smoothly keeping up with the traffic is challenging. The price of this outspoken creation is around 22,000 euros. This is also the strongest point of this French car. 

The range and charging of the Citroën C zero 

The fact that this car is not meant for long motorway trips is also evident from its range, which in practice is around 100 kilometres. This limited distance is thanks to the small battery of only 16 kWh. An advantage of this small battery is of course the fact that it is quickly recharged. With a fast charger, it takes less than 20 minutes to get 80% and normal charging to 100% takes less than 4.5 hours. 

Range and features Citroen e-C4

This Citroen e-C4 was launched in 2020 and it is not a standard hatchback. No, it is to speak in Citroen's own words, a Crossover. This means that the car has a "somewhat" higher entry level. This Citroen will compete in the C-segment and the design with the sloping roofline reminds a bit of the GS of old. With the pronounced bodywork, the French brand puts a car in the market for those who love headstrong lines. The chassis is not very innovative, because it is also used in the Peugeot 2008the Citroen C3 and the Opel Mokka. This chassis is fine for daily use, but it is certainly not built for the race track.
The interior is quite sleek for a Citroen and equipped with all conveniences such as a 10-inch touchscreen. According to the factory specification, the range is 350 kilometres. This is very optimistic with a 50 kWh battery, also because this is a higher bodied car. Therefore, in practice this Citroen should be able to cover more than 250 kilometres. The battery then charges fully in just under 14 hours. With fast charging, the battery can be recharged in 30 minutes. The top speed is 150 km/h, the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not officially specified, but this speed should be around 10 seconds. Finally, this Citroen e-C4 costs around €40,000.

Range and features DS3 Crossback

If you are looking for a smaller SUV-shaped car, the 'premium' brands have a lot to choose from. The Audi Q2, Mini Countryman, VW T-Cross... the list goes on and on. However, if you want one that is not powered by a petrol or diesel engine, but solely on electricity, the list is a lot shorter. Fortunately, DS (the premium Citroën) has the all-electric DS 3 Crossback E-Tense.
The E-Tense has a 50 kWh battery. The range in practice is said to be more than 300 kilometres should be. Power is 134 hp and propels the DS3 to 0-100 km/h in 9 seconds. Top speed is not overbearing at 150 km/h, but it is sufficient in the Netherlands. The battery can be recharged from zero to 80 per cent in 30 minutes, of course we are talking about a fast charger. 

Range and features Honda e 

At 3,895 lengths, 1,750 widths and 1,512 heights, the Honda e is approximately the size of a Ford Ka + or Toyota Yaris.

The Honda e's interior is sleek and futuristic. The dashboard consists of three screens connected into one and extending across the entire width. To the left and right of these are two more 6-inch monitors that show the real-time image sent by the rear-view mirrors.

Interior space Honda e

There is not much room, and the materials in the interior are conservative and ecological. The seats are covered in grey fabric and are more comfortable than they look. The parts of the dashboard that don't disappear behind the monitors look like the foils cut on wood on very old cassette recorders - and that's how they feel.

A mix of grey fabric and hard plastic is used as upholstery on the doors. "Lounge atmosphere" is how Honda's marketing department calls it with its creative exuberance. After all: in the front there is enough room for two passengers, in the back it only gets really tight when the front seats are pushed all the way back - there is not much room left for the rear passengers.

The cargo space provides only 171 litres - even a Smart has more. Those who fold down the - continuous - rear seat of the Honda e, can officially take up to 861 litres of luggage. 

Power and performance Honda e

Honda offers the electric motor in two power levels: In the Advance, it boils down to 154 hp / 113 kW and 315 Nm of torque, which is readily available, as usual in electric cars. With that, the Advance makes it from standstill to 100 km/h in about eight seconds,

The regular Honda e has the same torque and 136 hp / 100 kW and it needs 9.5 seconds for the 0 to 100 km/h sprint. Both versions have a maximum speed of 145 km/h. That's not exactly great - but the Honda e is not really meant for long motorway journeys anyway, and in the Netherlands these days you can get along with traffic just fine. 

The range and (fast) charging of the Honda e 

The Honda e is particularly designed for city and surrounding areas. The range is tailored to this; the official range is good for 210 to 220 kilometres, in practice it will be just over 160 kilometres. The built-in lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 35.5 kWh and is recharged 80% within 30 minutes with a quick charger. Full charging takes 4 hours with the so-called "Honda Power Charger", with a conventional one it can take over 15 hours. Finally, the Honda e is available from just under 35,000 euros.