In 2022, the number of EVs with 300+ mile range increased in the US. Do we need them? According to the “fact of the week” published by the United States Department of Energy, the number of electric vehicles (EVs) that have a range of at least 300 miles has increased dramatically since 2016 and is projected to increase by a factor of three by 2022 when compared to the year before.
The higher range continues to be a major selling factor for consumers in the United States, but the debate remains whether or not it is truly necessary for the typical driver.
In the past, here at Electrek, we have done everything in our power to dispel the veil of numerous myths and preconceptions that frequently surround electric vehicles (EVs) and slow down the adoption of these vehicles. The fear of going outside of a certain price range is one of the most significant challenges that continues to be a barrier for a great number of customers.
The general population has a crippling fear that they will run out of range in an electric vehicle and be stranded in the middle of nowhere, possibly for the rest of their lives. This is despite the fact that every driver today is accustomed to filling their tank with gasoline while remaining conscious of their fuel levels to ensure they don’t run out.
That is undeniably not the case, especially in light of the fact that we live in this day and age. The electric vehicle range anxiety that was previously exacerbated by early electric vehicles such as the Nissan LEAF is no longer a concern for consumers.
Tesla was the only electric vehicle (EV) automaker at one point to provide vehicles with a range of at least 300 miles, and the company was the one to push the envelope in terms of range, as was the case with many other EV technologies in the 2010s.
The 2020s are not like the 2010s. The rest of the industry has caught up, and as a result, consumers now have more options than ever before. These options not only provide a greater electric vehicle range than is necessary, but they also provide a significantly higher level of style and functionality than consumers are accustomed to receiving.
According to information that was just released by the Department of Energy in the United States, the number of electric vehicles that have a range of more than 300 miles has recently started to explode. Yes, they are helpful for increasing the use of electric vehicles, but are they required when buying a brand new EV? Almost certainly not.
In the United States, the 2022 model year had 14 electric vehicles with a range of more than 300 miles.
The number of electric vehicles in the United States for the model year 2022 nearly tripled from just five in 2021, as can be seen in the figure that is part of the “fact of the week” that is published by the United States Department of Energy. When you compare that figure to the same number from five years ago, when there was just one EV on the market that gave that sort of range, this increase is highlighted even further.
During the early years of this chart, Tesla’s electric vehicles held a commanding lead in terms of range, but in recent years, they have been up against a great deal of competition from both new and established EV automakers. Here is a list of all fourteen 2022 electric vehicles that claim to have a range of at least 300 miles according to the EPA.
There is not a terrible variety of options to pick from. Even while many of these electric vehicle models are priced on the upper end, there are a lot of possibilities that are more reasonably priced, such as the Hyundai IONIQ 5, the Kia EV6, and the Ford F-150 Lightning (if you’re willing to wait until 2024 for one of them).
We anticipate continuing to see advances in a range that will trickle down to more cheap models as automakers create more advanced electric vehicle platform technology filled with lighter and more energy-dense battery cells.
However, a lot of people don’t have the money to acquire a lot of the 2022 models on the list above, and that’s perfectly OK. This is especially the case if you’re seeking to buy one of them purely on the EV range it offers. Put this question to yourself: “When was the last time I traveled 300 miles in a straight line?”
It is also crucial to keep in mind that the typical commute to work in the United States is still far under 100 miles per day. This means that you may charge your electric vehicle at your place of employment, or even better, at home during off-peak hours while you sleep.
Even though a longer driving range is certainly desirable and will almost certainly continue to become standard on an increasing number of electric vehicles in the years to come, this feature alone should not necessarily sway your choice of vehicle.
