One of the biggest perceived drawbacks of electric cars is the limited range. We are, after all, rather spoiled these days by fuel efficient cars and hybrids that can go 400 miles or more on a single tank of gas. But most people don’t need to go more than a hundred miles a day, especially city dwellers. Hell, most people don’t drive more than 40 miles a day.
In fact, a recent study in the UK proves just that. Project CABLED is using a fleet of 25 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs to study the driving habits of city dwellers. Turns out most of these vehicles were used an average of just 23 miles a day.
Now just as with any study, this one must be taken with a grain of salt. Those being studied are no doubt aware of the limitations of electric vehicle range, as are we. Most individual trips in the i-MiEVs were under 5 miles (what, you couldn’t walk?) and these vehicles were parked 97 percent of the time. But think about the average petrol vehicle; who, aside from truckers, spend most of their days driving? But the first few miles of petrol driving are also the most polluting, as the engine has yet to fully warm up, thus allowing more emissions into the air.
The study does bring up some interesting points though. For one, it shows that there is a market for limited range electric vehicles… if the price is right. The reason why most people won’t buy an electric car is that it costs the same (or more) of a petrol powered car, but with less range and a longer time to fill up.
Perhaps automakers need to work on making cheap, cheap, cheap electric vehicles (under 10 grand) that have an operating range of just 50 miles, and sell those vehicles to city dwellers. But then another problem rears its ugly head; why not concentrate on public transportation instead?
These problems aren’t easy to solve. If you are really just going to drive an electric vehicle 23 miles per day, why not take a bus or public transportation instead? Of course, choice is the name of the game, and giving up personal mobility is difficult.
I’m glad it isn’t up to me to figure it out, and this is just the first phase of project CABLED (Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Vehicle Demonstrators)
Source: Mitsubishi
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About Christopher DeMorro
I think your article’s title is misleading – it suggests that the vehicles only have a 23 mile range, rather than the fact that people only drove 23 miles at a time during the tests.
Just because I only drive to and from work each day doesn’t mean my gasoline car has a driving range of 30 miles.
I think your article’s title is misleading – it suggests that the vehicles only have a 23 mile range, rather than the fact that people only drove 23 miles at a time during the tests.
Just because I only drive to and from work each day doesn’t mean my gasoline car has a driving range of 30 miles.
Welll some automakers like GM crushed their EV 1 and now they are making the Volt with only 40 miles electric range wich is the same BIG OIL policy like with the EV 1 !
So Mitsubishi , Renault – Nissan aliance,Tesla it is all up to you to show those BIG OIL automakers with your electric cars and the Golf of Mexico proves the future is electric.
Welll some automakers like GM crushed their EV 1 and now they are making the Volt with only 40 miles electric range wich is the same BIG OIL policy like with the EV 1 !
So Mitsubishi , Renault – Nissan aliance,Tesla it is all up to you to show those BIG OIL automakers with your electric cars and the Golf of Mexico proves the future is electric.
Hello Christopher,
I need to take you to task for the title of your piece — it reads like you are saying that is the average range of the iMiEV; which would be incredibly disappointing… Using the word “range” in this context is my complaint.
Here’s a better/more accurate/less misleading title I would suggest: “UK Electric Car Tests Reveal Average Driver Goes 23 Miles Daily”
Now, I’ll go back and actually read your post!
Sincerely, Neil
Hello Christopher,
I need to take you to task for the title of your piece — it reads like you are saying that is the average range of the iMiEV; which would be incredibly disappointing… Using the word “range” in this context is my complaint.
Here’s a better/more accurate/less misleading title I would suggest: “UK Electric Car Tests Reveal Average Driver Goes 23 Miles Daily”
Now, I’ll go back and actually read your post!
Sincerely, Neil
Well, your main points are quite correct in the post, and well taken — which makes the title stand out as oddly worded.
BTW, how often do you choose to walk 5 miles, rather than drive? Also, I don’t understand the “cheap, cheap, cheap” bit — certainly, any/all cars should be *reasonably* priced; inexpensive, even, but saying “cheap, cheap, cheap” strongly connotes very poor build quality. And the is most definitely *not* what we want in a car; any car.
What this experiment shows is that electric cars are quite viable for many people. As the trial continues, and some people take their iMiEV’s on longer trips (as Robert Llewellyn has), the real world range of these cars will be determined. Also, the longer term real world *cost of ownership* will be better illustrated, as well. Charging an iMiEV is pretty low cost; and seeing as gasoline is ~$7/US gallon, and no tolls on EV entering the City of London, etc. will all be taken into account; in addition to the cost to purchase.
Sincerely, Neil
Well, your main points are quite correct in the post, and well taken — which makes the title stand out as oddly worded.
BTW, how often do you choose to walk 5 miles, rather than drive? Also, I don’t understand the “cheap, cheap, cheap” bit — certainly, any/all cars should be *reasonably* priced; inexpensive, even, but saying “cheap, cheap, cheap” strongly connotes very poor build quality. And the is most definitely *not* what we want in a car; any car.
What this experiment shows is that electric cars are quite viable for many people. As the trial continues, and some people take their iMiEV’s on longer trips (as Robert Llewellyn has), the real world range of these cars will be determined. Also, the longer term real world *cost of ownership* will be better illustrated, as well. Charging an iMiEV is pretty low cost; and seeing as gasoline is ~$7/US gallon, and no tolls on EV entering the City of London, etc. will all be taken into account; in addition to the cost to purchase.
Sincerely, Neil
I’m glad I read the post. The data reveals what EV advocates have been saying – that range anxiety is a hoax. Your title is quite unfortunate – I was expecting results of the study to demonstrate that the iMEV’s range was actually 23 instead of the claimed 80. EV’s won’t be for everyone, just like 1 ton diesel pickups or corvette’s are not. This study reveals that for a good percentage of people in urban areas, and EV will be the most practical personal transportation available.
I’m glad I read the post. The data reveals what EV advocates have been saying – that range anxiety is a hoax. Your title is quite unfortunate – I was expecting results of the study to demonstrate that the iMEV’s range was actually 23 instead of the claimed 80. EV’s won’t be for everyone, just like 1 ton diesel pickups or corvette’s are not. This study reveals that for a good percentage of people in urban areas, and EV will be the most practical personal transportation available.
Yeah, Chris! Work on that title! Why, I started searching the internet for one of these “UK” cars and couldn’t find anything! Then it turns out UK is short for United Kingdom! Who heard of such a thing??? My goodness…
Yeah, Chris! Work on that title! Why, I started searching the internet for one of these “UK” cars and couldn’t find anything! Then it turns out UK is short for United Kingdom! Who heard of such a thing??? My goodness…
You guys need to do a better job at managing your website. I can’t read the first 2 post due to an advertisement overlapping on the comments section.
You guys need to do a better job at managing your website. I can’t read the first 2 post due to an advertisement overlapping on the comments section.
I don’t think 25 EV drivers in the UK is even close to what the avg. US driver will experience. Just think of all the big commutes on the East and West coast and in the other big cities like Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Phoenix, etc. where the typical one way is probably 20-30 miles. Run to the grocery store, drop off and pick up the kids from practices and games and you’re easily looking at 60-80 miles/day for many millions of US drivers.
Btw, Chris, I really don’t have an extra 1 1/2 hrs to walk my 5 mile trips, who does? Most of us have busy lives, work, kids, school, housework, errands, etc. and don’t have time to get 30 mins exercise a day, let alone replace car trips with walking.
I don’t think 25 EV drivers in the UK is even close to what the avg. US driver will experience. Just think of all the big commutes on the East and West coast and in the other big cities like Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Phoenix, etc. where the typical one way is probably 20-30 miles. Run to the grocery store, drop off and pick up the kids from practices and games and you’re easily looking at 60-80 miles/day for many millions of US drivers.
Btw, Chris, I really don’t have an extra 1 1/2 hrs to walk my 5 mile trips, who does? Most of us have busy lives, work, kids, school, housework, errands, etc. and don’t have time to get 30 mins exercise a day, let alone replace car trips with walking.
I just saw a study that found the average mileage per person of the US bus fleet is now worse than a pickup truck.
I think your original idea is the right one. Make $10,000 second cars for urban families. That is essentially what the low speed vehicles are but they cost too much and have crappy batteries.
Biodiversivist
I just saw a study that found the average mileage per person of the US bus fleet is now worse than a pickup truck.
I think your original idea is the right one. Make $10,000 second cars for urban families. That is essentially what the low speed vehicles are but they cost too much and have crappy batteries.
Biodiversivist
Good to see the use of solar and wind power technology coming in to play for charging the Lithium batteries. A replacable (fast changeout) battery is also a welcome addition.
Good to see the use of solar and wind power technology coming in to play for charging the Lithium batteries. A replacable (fast changeout) battery is also a welcome addition.
32 miles round trip, that’s my daily drive… If someone wants to drop off one of these EV’s at my place for me to try out for a year, that would be great.
32 miles round trip, that’s my daily drive… If someone wants to drop off one of these EV’s at my place for me to try out for a year, that would be great.