February 11, 2025

How Much EV Range Do You Really Need?

5 Min. Read

While driving range is often a major concern for savvy drivers looking to make the switch to driving electric, did you know that the average electric vehicle (EV) range is now around 300 miles?

Electric vehicles have become more practical than ever and with each new model, EV range keeps improving, allowing drivers to travel farther on a single charge.

Thanks to cutting-edge battery innovations, today’s EVs deliver longer ranges and greater efficiency. What does this mean for you? More miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and better value for every cent spent on charging.

Some of the top-performing EVs can even go an impressive 500 miles on a single charge, but here’s the big question: do you even need that much range?

Let’s explore how driving habits align with EV ranges and discover what matters most when choosing your next electric vehicle.

How Many Miles Do You Actually Drive?

If you’re like most Americans, the main reason for getting in your car every day is to drive to work.

With the average daily commute lasting between 15 and 29 minutes on average, daily miles driven rarely exceed a few dozen.

In fact, data reveals that the average American only drives around 39.7 miles a day.

Interestingly, this number varies from one age group to another, with those aged 35 to 49 tend to drive the most, averaging about 39 miles a day, while younger and older Americans typically drive around 20 miles a day.

Were you among the 30% of Americans who planned a road trip in 2024? If yes, the occasional leisure trip is probably your main reason for driving more than usual.

The good news is that, thanks to the rapidly growing nationwide EV charging infrastructure, EV-powered road trips are becoming more convenient than ever to plan. In fact, recent statistics show that drivers are rarely ever more than 34 miles from a DC fast charger when driving on a highway in the U.S.

To make things even more effortless, apps like this one handle all the planning for you, identifying exact charging stops along your route and eliminating range anxiety.

Why the Average EV Has Plenty of Range

While range anxiety was a reality for early EV adopters, automakers have doubled down on battery research and created a new generation of EVs powered by energy-efficiency batteries with truly impressive ranges.

As a result, EV perception is shifting, and range anxiety and access to charging are no longer top worries among consumers.

From the 2023 EV lineup, the EV with the top-performing range offers an impressive 516 miles on a single charge—that’s two weeks of commuting for the average American!

With most EVs averaging close to 300 miles per charge, there’s no need to invest in one of the highest end models unless you’re looking for specific features beyond range. More affordable options will likely provide plenty of range for your daily needs and won’t even require daily charging for a majority of drivers.

If you need to drive further than usual for a road trip, an appointment, or a special errand, you should know that getting stuck in the middle of nowhere with an empty battery is highly unlikely.

There are now close to 70,000 EV charging locations across the country. Just to name a few, you can find public EV chargers at parking garages, street parking spots, and destination businesses. Additionally, with the development of Alternative Fuel Corridors, EV charging stations are also becoming significantly easier to find along major highways.

If you live in a big city and are worried about heavy traffic slowing you down and affecting EV range, you should know that EVs rely on regenerative braking to top off their battery. This technology allows EVs to recoup some of the energy used during braking, potentially boosting energy efficiency by 20%.

The Case for Home EV Charging

An EV with a 300-mile range can easily hold enough charge for at least a week of commuting, and with the convenience of at-home EV charging, you can top off your battery anytime, keeping you ready to hit the road whenever you need.

So how does at-home charging work? The preferred method for at-home charging is Level 2 EV charging, which can be easily set up with a simple electrical upgrade.

A certified installer will add a dedicated 240V circuit to your home and either hardwire an EV charger or install a specialized NEMA 14-50 outlet specifically designed for EV charging to plug in your charger. Level 2 charging adds 12 to 80 miles of range per hour, effectively charging your EV for an entire week in a just one night.

Alternatively, you can opt for Level 1 EV charging, where you plug your EV into a standard, dedicated 120V outlet. This method adds an average of 3 to 5 miles of range per hour on average, which means charging overnight will give you just enough range for your daily commute but might not be ideal for longer trips.

For EV drivers needing to top off on the go, public or workplace charging can be a great way to add a few miles of range. However, at-home charging remains the preferred option for 100% of EV drivers due to its convenience and affordability.

Solve EV Range Anxiety With Qmerit

Is range anxiety keeping you from going electric? Thanks to recent advancements in battery technology, the average EV has plenty of range for all your driving needs.

With at-home charging, keeping your battery full is convenient, easy, and budget-friendly. The key is to work with a certified installer experienced in EV charger installations who can recommend the best charger for your needs and perform a quality installation. Qmerit can help.

As North America’s most trusted EV charger installation partner recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike, Qmerit’s network of licensed electricians has installed over 450,000 EV charging stations. With the largest and most experienced network of EV charger installers across the U.S. and Canada, we’re here to make going electric easy—and with Qmerit’s easy-to-use rebates and incentive finder, you know you’re getting a good deal without compromising on the quality and safety of your installation.

Give us a call at (888) 272-0090 or complete our online EV assessment for your EV charger installation estimate.