Since the addition of hybrid and electric vehicles, you now have more options when you’re in the market for a fuel efficient car. With petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles each having their own sets of strengths and weaknesses, how far it can travel on a full tank of petrol or on a single charge can have a bearing on your decision.
Here we’ll explore why range is important in your buying decision, what factors can affect a vehicle’s range, and 5 effective tips to maximise the distance your petrol, hybrid or electric car can travel.
What Does Range Mean?
Range is the estimated distance or kilometres a vehicle can cover before either needing a recharge, or a fill-up at the fuel station.
To calculate the range for petrol and mild hybrid vehicles you take how much fuel your tank can take and divide it by your fuel consumption figure (litres per 100km) and then multiply by 100.
For example, Swift GL Manual has a fuel tank capacity of 37 Litres and fuel consumption figure of 5.1 Litres per 100km*
Range = (37/5.1) x 100
= 7.25 x 100
=725 km
For EVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEV) it is the same except fuel capacity is replaced by battery capacity (kWh) and fuel consumption by power consumption in kWh per kilometre. You can find the official range figure within the specifications of the car you are looking at.
When you are driving day to day, you find the range by adjusting the fuel consumption or battery usage setting on your dashboard. Bear in mind this number will change based on the remaining fuel in your tank or charge in your battery and what your average fuel/battery is at that point in time.
Why is Range Important?
Understanding range and the factors that affect it is important for knowing whether you’ll make it to the next petrol station or charging spot and it can be a big help when it comes to deciding what type of car is best suited to you.
When you are looking for your next set of wheels, take the time to note down the type of journeys you take, how far each of them were, and where you travelled to. If you are commuting long distances, or regularly taking the family away for long road trips, then a petrol or hybrid vehicle could be the better option as you’ll never be too far away from a petrol station if you need a quick fill up. EVs on the other hand, are perfect for shorter trips around town or sticking to the main roads as they rely on you remembering to charge them at home or finding a charging station and waiting the 20-30 minutes for a fast charge. It is worth noting that the range on EVs is increasing as the battery technology improves and more EVs come on the market.
Range of a Petrol, Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Comparison
Suzuki Swift GL Manual: Travels around 800km on a full tank of petrol.*
Suzuki Swift Hybrid: Travels a distance of around 900km on a full tank of petrol.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): Can travel a distance of 30 to 50km on a single charge before switching to petrol mode.
Electric Vehicles (EV): Modern EVs can travel a range of about 200 to 400km while older models are usually a shorter range.
* Based on official results for combined cycle. Fuel consumption will vary due to factors such as vehicle condition, driving style and traffic conditions.
What Affects The Range of Your Vehicle?
The Weather
Cranking up the heater or air-con can impact how much electricity or petrol your vehicle is using, and significantly reduce the range you cover. Thanks to the extra load on your engine, your car has to work harder to achieve the desired temperature while still getting you to your destination.
Driving Style
If you drive your car anything like the characters in Fast and Furious do, your battery or petrol will deplete much quicker than you expect! Traveling at high speeds and constantly tapping your foot on the brake will use more energy than a car that travels at a steady speed.
Drag and Load
Attaching items like roof-racks and bikes onto your car can play a significant role in its aerodynamics and force the engine to work harder. If there is a high level of headwind, there will be more resistance placed on the front of your car and your motor will have to work twice as hard to propel you forward.
If your car is carrying any extra weight, it will need more power to accommodate the load too. Your petrol car will guzzle more petrol and your EV or hybrid will use up more energy from the battery to cover for it. With EVs and hybrids already having heavy batteries, any extra load can put a serious dent in the range it can travel.
Driving Uphill
Walking up hills can deplete our energy and our cars aren’t any different. Driving up a hill consumes more electricity from a battery powered car and more petrol from a conventional car as a result of having to work harder. Luckily for hybrids and EVs, their ‘regenerative braking’ feature kicks in when you tap on the brakes while coming down a slope, and recharges the battery in the process.
Maintenance & Servicing
Poor maintenance of your tyres means that your car has to work harder to compensate for it. If your wheels aren’t aligned correctly, it can cause you to veer off course, and force your car to use more electricity or fuel to keep it in a straight line.
Degrading Battery Life
After numerous charges, your EV and hybrid’s batteries will eventually degrade and reduce the capacity of electricity it holds. With less electricity to drive with, you may find a new limited range, but it should still be enough for your daily commutes - just steer clear from using it for any extreme trips!
5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Vehicle’s Range
- Remove any unnecessary items to get rid of excess weight from your car.
- Check that your tyres are in good condition and set at the recommended tyre pressure.
- Make sure your wheels are aligned with your steering wheel.
- Don’t speed - stick to the speed limit for a smooth and safe journey!
- Only use your heating and cooling features if necessary. If it’s too cold, add on extra layers of clothing and if it’s too hot, wind down the window for a nice breeze of fresh air.
Now that you know what can affect the range of your vehicle, following these 5 tips can help you get the best performance and distance out of your car. Range needs to match up with what you need out of your new car, and can influence your decision.
If you’re still not sure which type of vehicle best fits your needs and are looking for more information, download our Complete Guide to Buying a New Car today!
