What Factors Affect Mileage When Driving an Electric Vehicle?

And Where to Find a Volkswagen EV at a Dealership Near You in Utah

If we learned anything last year, it’s that high gas prices can hit us at any time. For those of you out there that are SUV owners, the gas price hikes probably hit you harder than your sedan-owning counterparts. In fact, there were some SUV and truck owners who reported paying more than $100 per tank when the gas prices were at their highest. Considering that most of us are on a tight budget, that kind of unexpected expense simply doesn’t work.

The high gas prices along with several other factors inspired many to finally consider whether switching over to an electric vehicle is worthwhile. After all, electric vehicles have evolved enough to the point where they are outperforming vehicles with a combustible engine. However, if there’s one hold-up in the EV versus traditional vehicle debate it’s this – single charge range.

For instance, the award-winning Volkswagen ID.4 Pro model gets up to 275 miles on a single charge. The words “up to” indicate that everything must be working in the vehicle’s favor to get maximum range. Just like traditional vehicles, electric vehicles have their mileage impacted by several variables and factors.

To provide some context and clarity on that, we’re breaking down the top four factors that affect the mileage of a Volkswagen EV.

#1 – Battery Charge Status

Not unlike your smartphone, the more battery charge your Volkswagen EV has, the more you’re going to get out of it. The percentage of your battery directly correlates with how many miles you can expect to drive on a single charge. However, it’s worth noting that some EVs limit the amount of charge a battery can get for sustainability purposes. Don’t be surprised if your battery tops out at 90 to 95%.

#2 – Battery Age

This next one holds true for any vehicle or device that uses a rechargeable battery. The older the battery is, the more its max charge capacity will decrease. However, this is a slow process that most drivers of a Volkswagen EV likely won’t notice. EV batteries degrade approximately 2% year-over-year. Keeping that in mind, it’s worth mentioning that electric vehicle batteries are covered under a warranty that is federally mandated for the first eight years or 100,000 miles of ownership.

#3 – Driving Speed

By this point, you’ve probably already owned a few traditional vehicles that use a combustible engine. Traditional vehicles get better gas mileage on the highway compared to what they get in the city.

However, electric vehicles are the opposite. They get better mileage in the city compared to on the highway. This is because they use regenerative braking, which means they use kinetic energy that is converted to electricity when braking. Drivers will notice that they get the maximum output out of their EV battery during stop-and-go driving.

#4 – Cold Weather

Cold weather affects electric vehicles and traditional vehicles alike. During extremely cold weather, the battery of your electric vehicle won’t be able to hold a charge as efficiently. Additionally, cold weather means that you’ll be using other features to keep the cabin warm, which further draws off the battery’s power.

Traditional vehicles operate similarly in cold weather. Recent data on this issue reveals that the fuel economy of traditional vehicles decreases approximately 15 percent during cold weather scenarios.

Looking for an Electric Vehicle for Sale Near You in Utah? Visit VW SouthTowne!

Considering the future-forward design, single-charge distance, and generous feature package of the VW ID.4, it’s no wonder why this Volkswagen EV is one of our best-selling vehicles here at VW SouthTowne. Factor in the $7,500 lease credit you can get on the VW ID.4 and there literally has never been a better time to make the switch over to an electric vehicle.

The best way to check out this VW electric vehicle for sale is by stopping by our dealership and taking a test drive. Getting behind the wheel is the only surefire way to see if it lives up to the hype. If you decide to make the switch, we have plenty of VW finance options so that you can obtain an auto loan that’s within your monthly budget.

Not yet in the market for a new electric vehicle? No problem! As the leading Volkswagen dealership here in Utah, VW SouthTowne carries a wide variety of new and used vehicles and certified pre-owned vehicles that have undergone a 100-plus-point inspection.VW SouthTowne is conveniently located at 11000 South 290 West in South Jordan. Contact us by phone by calling (801) 988-5825 or by emailing us via the contact form on our website.

Posted in Electric Vehicle | No Comments »