[StarrySky]

We had gone on a road trip last summer with our diesel car. On day 1, we covered about 860km in 11h48m. This included a 20-min break, a 55-min lunch break and 10-min refuelling stop and a couple of short detours. We could've combined the refuelling with our stop for lunch, saving us some time (but giving us one less opportunity for a short break). I drove at speed limit, but there were some sections where road works were going on and I had to drive slower. Without those, the time could have been even faster. So let's assume we could've completed the trip in 11h30min.

I used ABRP (www.abetterrouteplanner.com) to plan the same trip in an ID.4. It predicted 11h45m with the same detours and including 3 stops. I planned the second stop to be a 1-hr stop for charging plus lunch. The other two stops were about 46 minutes combined. We had lost some time during one of the detours to find a place we wanted to visit and then stopping there for 5 minutes or so. Adding that, the EV trip would've taken about 11h55m. I had provided the following input values at the website:

- I gave 220Wh/km@110km/h as the consumption, giving a range of about 350km at that speed. This is much lower than VW's claimed figures, and also a bit worse than a recent 70mph (112km/h) highway range test by InsideEVs, which gave a range of 234miles (376km).
- Chose 5% battery degradation
- Chose 5m/s (18km/h) headwind and rainy/snowy road conditions for the whole trip (we had rain for initial parts of our road trip)
- Specified 200kg extra weight (other than driver, similar to what we had)

The route plan suggested restricting speed to 100km/hr during the initial 300km or so, where I know there is a fairly long highway section with speed limit of 120km/hr. This should compensate for the lower speeds due to road works in my actual trip. But still, adding another 10-15 minutes will mean the EV may be about 35-40mins slower than the ICE car. In my view, it is acceptable for one whole day of driving. Of course, this assumes that there is no additional delay at charging stops due to having to wait for chargers to free up.

So an EV with about 350-km of real world highway range can be a viable alternative, given proper infrastructure. The importance of infrastructure cannot be overstated. I tried to also plan day 2 from the same trip where we covered about 570km in 9h34min, including 1-hour lunch break and a few other shorter stops. According to the route planner, I cannot take the same route in an EV and covering the same places with an EV would take about 110km more of driving to find chargers and 2h+ more (11h45m).

[inwester]

Haven't posted in this forum in a while. Here's my experience with our first EV so far.

I bought a 2021 Tesla Model Y (Long-range AWD) 5 months ago (NYC area). The claimed range is 326 miles or 521 kms. You're never going to get that, especially in Tesla's you get around 75% of the EPA range. So in real world you get about 250 miles or 400 kms. This is my second car and the other car, a Volvo XC90, is what I usually prefer for long trips as it's more spacious and comfortable, plus no range anxiety with it. For every day driving this is more than enough range as the longest trip I've had is 30 miles (50 kms) one way, so 100 kms plus a few shorter trips here and there, I think I've not driven it more than 150 kms in a day. Of course to each their own. If you have a second car, EV is totally doable, with 300-400 range. I got a Nema 14-50 outlet installed and use the Tesla mobile charger, which gives me 31 miles/hour (50 km/hour), so every few days I top it off at night when the off peak electricity rates kick in.

One thing most people don't talk about is the awful ride quality in EVs generally. Due to the battery being heavy and how it sits low, plus the tire compounds and stuff suspension to carry the weight, the ride is going to be real stiff and bumpy. Especially in India where we have really bad roads. To be honest I can't stand it here in NY because we have poor roads compared to the rest of the US, but it's still going to be far better than India. If you buy high end EVs they come with air suspension and it's less of an issue, but trust me the ride quality is going to be like something you've never experienced. Especially if you're used to luxury cars or softer riding cars. Initially I hated it so much I was planning to return it, but the car is fun and like a toy, so I've come to enjoy it now. I also ride with 4-5 psi less than the 42 psi they advice.

That said I'm thinking of buying an EV as a second car in India also. Was considering the ZS EV, but I think a new ZS was just released in other markets so will wait for that. MG also installs a level 2 charger at your home and there's less taxes with EVs in Kerala.

[kadanaJ]

For a car to be used within the confines of a city, 200km is more than enough.

According to Google maps, Colaba to Thane is 43km (86km both ways). That's me choosing the south most point of Bombay to beyond the north most point (is Thane technically Mumbai?). Either ways, seemed like a good example for the max distance a Mumbaikar would need.

Interesting results for the poll though. Most members want maximum range. I wonder how the results would be if there was a cost/price attached to each of the options.

[MSC]

I am being the odd one out and slightly off the topic, but more than a full blown electric vehicle, what I think is needed is sort of hybrid. It would be best if the car can have a small petrol engine complimented by a hybrid electric motor. The electric motor should be capable of powering the car till 30 or 40 kmph. After that the petrol motor should take over. Having a 40kmph speed with electric motor will mean that the car will be mostly driven by electric power in city for most of the time. This will be economical as well as less polluting. On the open highway, the two motors can complement each other. As batteries are known to loose steam in climate extremes, in most parts of our vast country, the sweet spot for battery to function is available in a very small section.
Having a back-up petrol engine & tank will definitely end the range anxiety.

[mohanphadnis]

Originally Posted by MSC

I am being the odd one out and slightly off the topic, but more than a full blown electric vehicle, what I think is needed is sort of hybrid. It would be best if the car can have a small petrol engine complimented by a hybrid electric motor. The electric motor should be capable of powering the car till 30 or 40 kmph. After that the petrol motor should take over. Having a 40kmph speed with electric motor will mean that the car will be mostly driven by electric power in city for most of the time. This will be economical as well as less polluting. On the open highway, the two motors can complement each other. As batteries are known to loose steam in climate extremes, in most parts of our vast country, the sweet spot for battery to function is available in a very small section.
Having a back-up petrol engine & tank will definitely end the range anxiety.

What you are referring to is called a PHEV (Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), something like the old outlander PHEV or Ioniq PHEV. Problem with a PHEV is that, they have two independent drivetrains, that means you have all the problems from both drivetrains.

While range anxiety is diminished with PHEVs, the cost is super high and it is extremely complex, with miniscule emission reductions. No owner of PHEV really charges their car every night, they run it on gas just like any other ICE vehicle. Better to go with a full blown BEV, or stick to ICE.

[lina]

600km of real world range. This would usually translate to 600 miles of claimed range.

600km is the tipping point in my opinion because that is the usual amount a normal person can drive in a day. drive for 600km and reach your destination/rest point and charge at night.

This will also give comfortable driving range incase you are not fully charged at the start. Lunch/coffee stop overs can be used for quick 20 minute top-ups.

If not 600km range, I would like something like the Toyota RAV4 prime. 100km EV range with a good ICE that will take over after that. Most people will not commute more than 100km on a regular day. So 90% of the use case will be taken care of by the EV component. On the weekend outings or vacations, the ICE can take over. Range will never be an issue. Best of both worlds before my ideal 600km EV comes out.

[DriveOnceMore]

The range of electric car 'behaves' the other way than ICE counterparts.
ICE cars will give us MORE tank range on highways than in city while it is the other way in case of EVs.
I am okay with range as low as 100 KM per charge, IF it comes at lucrative price (read sub 10 lakh) as I don't mind charging my car every / alternate night and City use won't need range more than that.

BUT I love to travel outstation a lot.
In this case minimum I expect is a range of 400+ km.
Because average person easily does 300-350 km per day during outstation trips.
I live in Pune and my hometown, where I frequently visit, is 310 km from here.
Honestly, I don't think 400+ km REAL WORLD HIGHWAY range will not be easily possible for any manufacturer.
So NO EV TILL THEN FOR ME.

[StarrySky]

Originally Posted by DriveOnceMore

Honestly, I don't think 400+ km REAL WORLD HIGHWAY range will not be easily possible for any manufacturer.
So NO EV TILL THEN FOR ME.

400km on single charge can be done in ID.4 at 90km/h, with about 11% battery still remaining.



Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26mg6YmTcQA

Of course, it depends on the conditions, weather is not super cold in this video. With higher temperatures, better range should be possible. Range will go down in sub-zero temperatures. But If ID.4 can do it in these conditions, I am pretty sure Tesla can too. And probably Mustang Mach-E as well.

[Sankar]

Another option missing in the poll - "Yes"

Since range is not something that can be topped up in under 5 mins, as on date.
Since range is something that like the value of the car will only depreciate as it ages.

So to answer the question what is the minimum acceptable range for a mainstream proper EV = "Yes!!" As much as possible!!

[DriveOnceMore]

Originally Posted by StarrySky

400km on single charge can be done in ID.4 at 90km/h, with about 11% battery still remaining.

Attachment 2136254

Video:
https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=26mg6YmTcQA

Thanks for sharing.
I was not knowing this.
But overall my comment was in context to India

[Balaji31582]

My Etios diesel on a tank full, when driven sedate will give me a range of 800+ kms. If driven more enthusiastically, will give me 600+ kms. Inside city the range is almost more or less 600 kms. Hence I voted for 600+ option.

The main concern is not just the range but how sooner I can get my battery recharge provided I use an EV. Because in ICE I just need to find a fuel station and in couple of mins, my tank is full for another 600+ kms.

[armaan_singh]

Voted for 500 Km,

However more than long range, I think super fast charging is the need of the hour. 1 hour of top up should give you back 50% battery and you're good to go.

Much like smartphones, which have now shifted the focus from just increasing the Mah rating on batteries to instead giving 100W+ chargers which top up the battery from 0 to 100 in about the time it takes to order a pizza from Domino's.

[Comrade]

Long or Ultra-long range in an EV is still useless if we dont have DC fast charging infrastructure placed strategically along major highways. If I had an EV in India plus proper DC fast charging infrastructure, here is how I would plan a long distance trip.

5:00 AM to 8:00 AM - leg 1.

8:00 AM to 9:00 AM - DC charging stop 1 + breakfast

9:00 AM to 12:00 PM - leg 2.

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM - DC charging stop 2 + lunch

1:00 PM to 4:00 PM - leg 3.

4:00 PM to 5:00 PM - DC charging stop 3 + evening snack+tea

5:00 PM to 8:00 PM - leg 4

8:00 PM to 5:00 AM - slow charge at destination

rinse and repeat every day.

How much range do I need in such a scenario? 3 hours * average speed for those 3 hours. Even if I assume my average speed will be maximum speed limit in India = 120 kmph, I just need 360 km of true range. In reality, I will need much less than 360 km true range. What I would need more is properly functioning DC chargers (placed strategically probably 100-200 kms apart through out our National highways) to fully charge my car within 1 hour.

[tharian]

Recently, had a chance to drive my sister's MG ZS for a 100 kms short trip on the outskirts of Bangalore.

The car doesn't see much of a running and has hardly done 1500 kms since it was bought last September. There is no fast charger installed for it because of the inflated costs the state electricity board were demanding for the sanction for a higher load. We make do with the portable charger which when left overnight, charges to 100% by early morning or late morning depending on how much charge was left before plugging in.

Last weekend, it was charged to 100% and I took it out for some errands and was back after driving for around 17-18 kms and the charge had dropped to 94%.
Later in the day, I took it for a drive towards the foothills of Nandi hills via Airport road and returned on some back roads which didn't have much traffic. It was a mix of traffic, bad roads and some open roads. I wasn't driving consciously so as to consume less battery, and on the airport road and thereafter, there was not much regen happening as well. The maximum speed was 80kmph most of the time and probably 100 couple of times.

The car performed well except for the bouncy rear which at times was annoying and then there was a loud motor/fan whirring noise which started in between the drive and stopped only once I stopped the car at a signal and moved to N. It didn't come after that. I am hoping it is not a issue again since the car has gone to the service centre twice since it was purchased in September and the second time had parts replaced since it failed to power on.
Overall, it was fatigue free drive and although I had the AC on full time and kept the brake regen level at 1 and the driving mode in Normal, by the time I got back home, the battery charge had reduced to 58% which when calculated shows a consumption of 36% for 100 kms which is good and

[EV Fan]

Unsure, but i feel instead of looking at the minimum acceptable range for EV we should more look at the range recovery due to fast charging. So if the EV's fast charging (usually around 80% of usable capacity) achieves 300 kms or more with the fast charging then that could be a good option as of now(provided the availability of fast chargers within the range).
Basically the car would be able to charge and provide for this range in around 1-1.5 hrs recharge.
Since it is still a longer break than it would have been with a standard ICE car, might as well pick locations that have good service - snack and rest while the car charges up.

But some of the folks have been doing quite impressive trips with EV's now itself. Requires a lot of planning and cool head to execute though. The following example of a Delhi Kochi trip by a ZS EV owner should help anyone understand:

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfUcQo-rlOU