That EV You Just Bought Probably Has Too Much Range

That EV You Just Bought Probably Has Too Much Range originally appeared on Autoblog.

A new study indicates that EV owners aren't making frequent use of their car's full range capacity. Data from more than 40,000 EVs shows that owners are leaving range on the table in their daily routines, but the trend in the automotive industry is just the opposite - automakers continue to add range to their EVs through larger batteries and higher-density battery cells.

EV Owners Aren't Using All That Range

Research from a startup focused on "providing more transparency and confidence in electric car transactions," Recurrent, shows that owners aren't using more than 80% of their EVs' range. You might argue that's the point. After all, people don't go out every day and use all 27 gallons of gas in their car. It's silly to assume an EV owner should be going out and using all 325 miles of range in their car. All that range is nice when you need it, and provides more of a safety net than a smaller battery does. However, Recurrent argues that's a problem on its own, as larger batteries significantly increase cost.

According to the study, an EV with 300 miles of range likely won't see more than 22 percent of its battery used in a day. Electric cars with an EPA-estimated range of between 350 and 375 miles will only average around 40.9 miles per day, and EVs with more available range do typically get driven further by their owners. Those with an EPA range of 100-125 miles see about 22.2 miles per day. The weighted average comes out to 12.6% of an EV's battery being used daily.

Even the most range-rich owners still leave 88%+ of their range unused most days.

Recurrent

There's a few possible reasons: for one, the extra range is a sort of "safety blanket," and owners do still cite range anxiety as their largest concern before buying an EV. That changes after the purchase happens, and another Recurrent study has shown that range anxiety declines the longer you've owned and driven an EV. Only 22% of owners feel they have anxiety over range after owning their EVs.

Bigger Batteries May Not Be The Solution EVs Need

Here's the problem: the quest for range in the automotive industry will also drive up costs. A bigger battery costs more to make because it uses more materials, and automakers will adjust prices to keep their margins intact. Consumers will pay more for range they don't use but a few times a year, in the event of, say, a long road trip, if ever.

There's another issue: buyers are seeking affordable cars, and admittedly, some automakers are racing to provide them. Ford has just announced a new, cheap electric truck. It'll have a smaller battery and less range, not unlike Slate, another upcoming cheap truck with less-than-average range. But plenty of other automakers seek to pile on range through solid-state batteries and larger traditional battery packs, hoping to help pacify the 48% of EV buyers who say they're worried about range. More than anything, what the industry has right now is an education problem.

That EV You Just Bought Probably Has Too Much Range first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 20, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 20, 2025, where it first appeared.