One persistent concern for potential electric vehicle (EV) buyers is range anxiety – the fear that their electric vehicle will run out of charge before reaching their destination or a charging station. However, the latest models for 2024 and 2025 are addressing this fear with ever-increasing ranges. Today, hybrids offer the longest ranges. Hybrids are a bright spot in the automotive industry, offering a compromise between the familiar and the future.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation remains the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, driven primarily by internal combustion engines. Range anxiety has long been a major obstacle to widespread adoption of electric vehicles, even though most trips in the United States are less than 30 miles.
However, thanks to improvements in the efficiency of batteries and electric motors, EVs now have driving ranges comparable to those of gasoline cars. Lucid Air It boasts an astonishing performance of being able to travel 516 miles on a single charge. Tesla Model S It boasts a driving range of 405 miles. This range matches and sometimes exceeds that of conventional gasoline vehicles, many of which have a driving range of 400 to 500 miles on a full tank. For example, Toyota Camry It can travel approximately 550 miles on a single tank of gas, the best range among gasoline-powered vehicles and comparable to the best EVs.
Despite these advances, some consumers still need confidence that they can get from here to there, no matter how far the distance. This hesitation is reflected in the growing market for hybrid vehicles, which combine gasoline engines and electric motors to extend range and reduce emissions. Toyota RAV4 HybridCapable of traveling approximately 580 miles on a single tank of gas, the car offers a comfortable middle ground for those who aren’t yet ready to make the full transition to electric vehicles.
Environmental impact: electric, hybrid, internal combustion
The environmental impact of a vehicle is important to many buyers, especially those considering switching from an internal combustion engine (ICE) to an electric or hybrid. Pure electric vehicles (EVs) have zero tailpipe emissions and significantly reduce their impact on air quality and carbon emissions. However, battery production, particularly the mining of lithium, cobalt and nickel, poses environmental challenges that cannot be ignored.
Hybrid vehicles offer significant reductions in emissions compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. Advantages such as regenerative braking, a system that converts the vehicle’s kinetic energy into electrical energy to recharge the battery, and the ability to run on electric power at low speeds reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. For example: Toyota Prius Electric vehicles have long been touted for their environmental benefits, offering a practical compromise for people looking to reduce their carbon footprint without the range limitations of pure electric vehicles.
At the same time, internal combustion engines have become more efficient but still contribute significant amounts of carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds to greenhouse gas emissions. Competition from EVs has forced automakers to design more fuel-efficient gasoline vehicles, but they still cannot match the environmental benefits of EVs and hybrids.
Mileage Comparison: Gasoline vs. Electric Cars
When comparing the mileage of top gasoline and electric cars it is clear that the gap is closing. This mileage chart shows that the mileage gap between ICE and EV/Hybrid cars is closing.
| Rank | Gasoline vehicles | Range (miles) | Electric Vehicles | Range (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Camry | 550 | Lucid Air | 516 |
| 2 | Honda CR-V | 450 | Tesla Model 3 | 341 |
| 3 | Chevrolet Silverado | 500 | Tesla Model Y | 330 |
| 4 | Ram 1500 | 480 | Rivian R1S | 352 |
| 5 | Toyota RAV4 | 420 | Fisker Ocean | 360 |
| 6 | Ford F-150 | 480 | BMW i4 | 307 |
| 7 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 450 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 303 |
| 8 | GMC Sierra | 470 | Mercedes-Benz EQS | 350 |
| 9 | Nissan Rogue | 430 | Volkswagen ID.4 | 275 |
| 10 | Honda Civic | 490 | Ford Mustang Mach E | 305 |
| 11 | Toyota Corolla | 430 | Chevrolet Bolt EUV | 247 |
| 12 | Chevrolet Equinox | 400 | Audi Q4 e-tron | 291 |
| 13 | Jeep Wrangler | 400 | Tesla Cybertruck | Approx. 300 |
| 14 | Ford Explorer | 430 | Nissan Leaf | 226 |
| 15 | Subaru Forester | 450 | Kia EV6 | 310 |
Outlook: 2024 and beyond
The auto industry is pivoting to further electrification as it looks to the future. The rise of long-range electric vehicles helps alleviate range anxiety, and the continued popularity of hybrids provides a viable bridge for consumers still wary of all-electric vehicles. But going purely electric is the most promising path with the greatest environmental impact. Consider these options the next time you buy a car.
Automobile manufacturers Electric vehicles are seeing significant investment in battery technology, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of battery production while improving energy density and range. Further improvements will be made in future models, making EVs even more attractive to a wider range of users.
