Adoption and use of Electric Vehicles or EVs continue to grow globally. According to a report by the International Energy Agency, an estimated 17 million vehicles sold globally were electric - more than 20% of the cars sold globally. The appeal of going green, ease of control and comfort offer an enticing ride for would be car owners.
Going green through EVs has its challenges, particularly when it comes to the size of the vehicle. While traditional vehicles normally consume more fuel based on size, there are additional concerns that come with large electric vehicles with greater hauling capacity. If you're thinking of getting an EV, you need to factor in its battery performance and other relevant factors.
Bigger Models = Bigger Battery
It goes without saying that bigger and more powerful vehicles will require bigger batteries. Range, top speed and hauling capacity dictate the required power a vehicle needs without the need for recharging. For example, the Chevy Silverado EV truck comes with a 200kWh battery with a range of more than 640km while the Mini Cooper SE is powered by a 32.6 kWh battery with estimated range of 230km.
Because of its role as a long distance hauler, the Chevy truck naturally requires a massive battery. Mini Cooper SE, on the other hand, is built for city driving and the range should be more than enough to satisfy daily driving needs.
Charging Time
While big batteries mean better mileage, charging it is a totally different story. Charging type comes in three different models for modern EVs: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.
Level 1 uses a 120v outlet - a standard household outlet in the US and other countries. This is built for smaller vehicles as it adds 5-8 kilometers of range per hour. It is often recommended for overnight charging.
Level 2 refers to charging with a 240v power outlet. Higher voltage means faster charging since it could add 32 to 48 kilometers of range for every hour of charging.
Level 3 is also called DC Fast Charging and they are often provided by commercial hubs and charging stations. This is for vehicles built for higher battery capacity as it could add 160 kilometers of range in just 30 minutes of charging.
Other Battery Factors to Consider
Beyond battery capacity and charging type, there are additional considerations for EV batteries across all vehicle sizes. Among them is the cooling method used by EVs on their batteries. Active cooling is highly recommended for most EVs especially larger vehicles because fast draining batteries can get hot fast. Passive cooling is also an option but only for smaller vehicles.
Battery weight is also a big factor because it can cause significant weight increase especially for smaller vehicles. For example, Lead-Acid batteries are really heavy with limited performance and only used for really small electric cars. Lithium-Ion, on the other hand, is lighter and can provide great mileage since it has better discharging capacity compared to Lead-Acid batteries.
Lastly, every EV owner should know that battery capacity reduces over time based on usage. Larger batteries subjected to frequent deep discharges may lose capacity more quickly than smaller batteries that follow a gentler charge/discharge cycle.
Still a Smart Option
With all the concerns about battery capacity, cooling and eventual degradation for any vehicle size, is it still a smart option to get an EV?
According to CTV News, a survey conducted by the Canadian Automobile Association revealed that many EV owners are mainly concerned about access to a charging station - a challenge that can be easily addressed by EV manufacturers. But even with the challenge, 87% of the current EV owners say they would still buy another EV as replacement. Most cite lower fuel costs and maintenance as key reasons for staying electric.
So whether you're considering a small city car or a heavy-duty hauler, understanding how vehicle size impacts battery needs and charging options is key to making a smart EV investment.
