The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) has released new data highlighting the remarkable progress in electric vehicle range from 2011 to 2024. Over this 13-year period, the average range of battery-powered cars has quadrupled, increasing from 109 km in 2011 to 455 km in 2024.
This impressive growth reflects the rapid advancements in EV technology, positioning electric vehicles as a viable and competitive alternative to traditional internal combustion engine cars.
A decade of transformative growth
In 2011, early EV models like the Nissan Leaf offered a modest range of 175 km, limiting their appeal to a niche audience of eco-conscious early adopters. Fast forward to today, and many EVs easily exceed 400 km on a single charge, making them practical for a much wider audience.
The data reveals that the most significant growth has occurred over the past decade. From 2015 to 2024, the average range more than tripled, rising from 145 km to 455 km. Notably, in just the past year, the average range increased by 21 km compared to 2023. While this growth has been impressive, experts predict a slowdown in range improvements, as current levels already meet the needs of most drivers. The threshold of 483 km is widely regarded as sufficient for daily use.
The Lucid Air, an American luxury sedan, currently holds the U.S. record for the longest range, boasting an impressive 830 km on a single charge. However, this model is not available in Europe. Despite such exceptional figures, the majority of consumers are likely to find ranges around 400-500 km more than adequate for their needs.
