One of the most important features when choosing an electric vehicle is its battery. How big should it be? How fast does it charge? How long does it last between charges? The answers to these questions can be complex, so we'll cover the key aspects of EV batteries in a clear and understandable way.
What's inside the battery?
An electric vehicle (EV) battery is actually a lithium-ion battery pack. It consists of multiple cells that provide electrical current when discharged and power the vehicle.
Lithium-ion batteries can store a lot of energy relative to their size and weight, making them ideal for portable devices like laptops, cell phones, and, of course, electric vehicles.
Size matters.
Larger battery packs contain more cells and provide more energy. However, they are also more expensive, with the extra size and weight increasing the overall cost of the vehicle.
For example, the Hummer EV Pickup 's battery weighs an impressive 3,000 pounds —more than some smaller all-electric vehicles.
Battery capacity
The tank capacity of gasoline cars is measured in liters, while the battery capacity of an EV is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) .
For example, the Tesla Model 3 battery has a capacity of 60 kWh , which means it can provide 60 kilowatts of power for one hour of continuous operation – at least under test conditions.
Practical analogy
To get a better idea, imagine this battery powering an electric clothes dryer. If a load of laundry consumes an average of 2 kWh , then the battery of a Tesla Model 3 RWD can run it for 30 hours without interruption .
Energy consumption
To determine the fuel economy of an electric vehicle, the battery capacity is related to the distance traveled. In Canada , EV fuel economy is calculated in kWh per 100 kilometers .
- Tesla Model 3 has a consumption of 15.2 kWh/100 km for city driving
- For highway driving, the consumption is 16.6 kWh/100 km
City vs. highway driving
Driving in the city requires less energy than driving at high speeds on the highway.
Electricity vs. gasoline
To make EV fuel consumption more understandable, it is often expressed as gasoline equivalent liters (Le) per 100 km .
- The Tesla Model 3 has a combined fuel economy rating of 1.8 liters per 100 kilometers .
- For comparison, an economical gasoline car can consume 8 liters of gasoline per 100 km.
This means that the Tesla Model 3 uses the equivalent of just 1.8 liters of gasoline per 100 km – significantly more efficient than most gasoline cars .
Mileage on a single charge
The most important question when driving an EV is how far you can go before the next charge .
Examples of mileage of different EV models:
- Mini Cooper SE (32.6 kWh battery) → 177 km range
- Ford F-150 Lightning Extended Range (131 kWh battery) → 480 km range
Factors affecting mileage:
- Battery age – capacity decreases over time
- The extra weight in the car
- High speeds
- Cold weather , which can reduce mileage by up to 20%
Charging speed
Charge levels
Level 1
- Standard 120-volt outlet
- 5-8 km mileage per hour
- Tesla Model 3 RWD would charge for several days
Level 2
- Charging stations like Wallbox Commander 2S
- 20-128 km/h
- Fully charging a Tesla Model 3 RWD overnight
Level 3 (DC Fast Charging)
- The fastest method, providing 5-20 km mileage per minute
- Tesla Model 3 RWD can be fully charged in 50 minutes
What slows down charging?
- Cold or hot weather
- Large battery size
- Using air conditioning or other functions while charging
How to extend battery life?
Most EV batteries have a warranty of at least 8 years or 100,000 miles .
Tips for maximum endurance:
✔ Do not fully discharge the battery
✔ Don't charge to 100% constantly
✔ Keep the level between 30-80%
These practices reduce stress on the battery and extend its life.
