The contribution why e-cars on the motorway consuming more energy first appeared at the online magazine Basic Thinking. You can start the day well every morning via our newsletter update.
The range of electric vehicles has developed enormously in recent years. But especially on the highway, e-cars consume significantly more energy, which has a strong influence on the range.
In 2019 the Average for the range of a battery charge in Germany According to the manufacturers, at 324 kilometers. This year, this average battery range of electric cars is expected to reach the value of 784 kilometers.
As far as the average numbers that the manufacturers indicate for their vehicles. In reality, however, the actual reach depends on numerous factors such as driving style, traffic, route or weather conditions.
But the speed also plays a crucial role here. Because especially on the highway, the consumption of electric cars can quickly increase enormously at high speeds.
E-cars consume more energy on the highway
The increased consumption of cars – be it with the combustion engine or electric car – lies in the physical laws. Because of the increased speed on the highway, air resistance also increases enormously.
The air resistance grows square at the speed. So if you drive twice as fast by car, the air resistance force is four times as large.
This in turn also affects the drive power required, which increases even more. At double speed, about eight times the output is required to drive the vehicle.
What role does the efficiency play?
The air resistance does not only influence the consumption of electric cars. Conventional combustion engines also consume more if they drive faster. However, the effect here is not so strong, which in turn is related to the efficiency.
A diesel vehicle, for example, is much more inefficient than an electric car with the energy supplied. This is due to the fact that the diesel has a large part of the energy supplied into heat instead of propulsion. Since the combustion engine works rather inefficient at low speeds, the additional effect of the air resistance is not so important.
The efficiency of the electric drive is significantly better. Since electric cars are so efficient at low speeds, the rising air resistance has a clearer effect, which then leads to significant additional consumption on the highway.
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As a tech industry expert, I would attribute the higher energy consumption of electric cars on the highway to several factors. One of the main reasons is the aerodynamic drag that occurs at higher speeds. Electric cars, like all vehicles, have to overcome air resistance as they move through the atmosphere. At higher speeds, this resistance increases significantly, requiring more energy to maintain the car’s speed.
Additionally, the increased speed on the highway can lead to more frequent acceleration and deceleration, which can also drain the car’s battery faster. This is especially true for electric cars, which rely on regenerative braking to capture and store energy from braking. At higher speeds, regenerative braking may be less effective, leading to a greater drain on the battery.
Furthermore, highway driving typically involves longer distances and continuous driving, which can also contribute to higher energy consumption. Unlike city driving, where there may be more opportunities to recharge the battery through braking and coasting, highway driving may not provide as many chances to replenish the battery.
Overall, while electric cars are more energy-efficient than traditional gas-powered vehicles, their energy consumption on the highway may be higher due to factors such as aerodynamic drag, increased speed, and continuous driving. As technology continues to advance, we can expect improvements in electric car efficiency on the highway through advancements in aerodynamics, battery technology, and energy management systems.
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