What Affects My Mileage While Driving an EV?

A Breakdown of the Factors That Impact Your Volkswagen EV

Last year’s drastic increase in gas prices motivated many car owners to explore their options. For some, that meant switching over to a vehicle that prioritized fuel economy, such as the Volkswagen Jetta (29 mpg city/42 highway). For others, that meant looking into vehicles that don’t depend on gasoline, which is exactly where the VW ID.4 comes into play.

The Pro model of this Volkswagen EV SUV gets up to 275 miles on a single charge. However, that 275-mile figure is predicated on the ID.4 operating in the most ideal conditions. When it comes to the new Volkswagen electric car – any electric car, for that matter – there are several variables that affect its overall range.

To provide some clarity, we’ll break down the main things that impact driving range on an EV. Keep in mind, the following variables affect all electric cars – not just Volkswagen EVs.

#1 – Charge Status

This first one is rather obvious, but we’ll cover it anyway. The percentage of charge your Volkswagen EV has left directly correlates with mileage. However, some EV manufacturers limit how much the battery can be charged for sustainability purposes. You may never get your charge percentage above 90 or 95 for the sake of prolonging your battery’s lifespan.

#2 – Age of Battery

If you have an older cell phone, you may have noticed that it doesn’t hold a charge quite like it used to. The same holds true for electric vehicles. The older a battery gets, the lower its max charge capacity becomes. However, this is a slow process. Recent data on the subject estimates that EV battery cells only degrade by about 2 percent per year.

It’s also worth noting that electric vehicle batteries are under a federally mandated warranty for 100,000 miles/eight years. So, if you’re considering a new Volkswagen electric car, just know that your battery is fully covered should it not live up to performance expectations.

#3 – Weather

Weather is another variable that can negatively affect the battery of a Volkswagen EV. Specifically, extremely cold weather. The reason behind that is because an EV battery’s ability to hold a charge is impacted by cold temperatures. The other reason is that cold temperatures generally mean drivers are drawing additional power from the battery to warm up the cabin. Be especially mindful of your charge if you ever plan any cold weather road trips.

It’s also worth noting that cold temperatures affect gas mileage on traditional cars. According to recent statistics shared by Energy.gov, fuel economy is reduced by roughly 15 percent when driving in extremely cold temperatures.

#4 – Driving Speed

Traditional vehicles that run on gas get better mileage on the highway compared to city driving. The new Volkswagen electric car and other EVs are the opposite. They are better suited for stop-and-go traffic because they regeneratively brake, which means kinetic energy is converted to electricity when braking. This means that city drivers are going to get the maximum output of their EV battery.

Looking for a VW Electric Car Near You to Test Drive? Visit VW Cypress!
Now that you know more about what impacts driving range on an electric vehicle, the next step is for you to check out the new Volkswagen electric car in person and take it for a spin. The VW ID.4 was the winner of the 2021 World Car of the Year Award, and the brand-new 2023 model aims to carry on that winning tradition. Finding this Volkswagen in Houston is easy. Simply visit the VW Cypress dealership and we’ll get you behind the wheel.

Not yet in the market for a Volkswagen EV? No problem!

As the leading VW dealership in Houston, we carry a wide variety of new cars, used cars, and certified pre-owned vehicles that have undergone a 100+ point inspection. Additionally, we’re always running promotions and limited time offers on VW vehicles in our specials section.

Call us at (281) 532-8824 or e-mail us directly using the contact form on our website for questions or to schedule an appointment. For routine maintenance, service, or repairs, please contact the Volkswagen service center to make an appointment.

Important notification to our customers: Volkswagen Cypress SALES operations will move into its new location at 11411 Farm to Market 1960 West in Houston, TX, January 20th 2023! SERVICE operations will also move to a new location during this same time. Its new stand-alone building can be found at 10828 Steepletop Drive in Houston, TX, located just one minute away from SALES.

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