The number of electric cars registered worldwide doubled to over 6 million between 2020 and 2021. Range and charging times are the main obstacles hindering widespread take up.

Despite geopolitical conflicts and the microchip crisis, the first quarter of 2022 saw total sales of 2 million EVs: a 75% increase from the previous year. However, drivers still question whether EV batteries are really efficient. How far can EVs travel?

The following is our comparison of the range of internal combustion engines and electric motors:

●     A car with a petrol engine can travel between 650 and 1,300 km on a full tank;

●     A car with a diesel engine can travel between 1,000 and 1,300 km on a full tank;

●     Hybrid plug-in cars can travel between 50 and 80 km before running out of electric power;

A fully electric car cannot travel more than 290 km on a single, full charge, although new models with multiple batteries can now go up to 500 km, when fully charged.

One of the most obvious critical issues with EVs, which manufacturers are carefully studying, is the length of time required to charge the batteries. This is mainly due to the type of charging stations currently available in most cities and the limitations of the batteries, which are unable to match the distances covered by cars with internal combustion engines on a full tank of fuel.

To achieve the same ranges as internal combustion engines would currently require large battery packs, which increase vehicle weight and make maintenance more complex.

Batteries are therefore the main obstacle to widespread EV take-up: motorists are aware that, at present, they are too inefficient and have a lower capacity.

Manufacturers are now working round the clock to develop better, cheaper batteries that last longer and can store more power. New technologies being tested include: lithium-ion, sodium-ion and solid-state batteries.

Lithium ion batteries offer a number of advantages, including improved safety, reduced weight, lower costs (as they can be produced in a standard format for a greater number of vehicles), temperature tolerance, faster charging times and greater capacity.

Sodium-sulphur batteries are also in development. They promise elevated power density, a life cycle of more than 10 years and, above all, up to 90% efficiency.

Solid-state batteries are achieving excellent test results and address the main current EV battery problems: limited transmission, poor tolerance of external agents, limited longevity and elevated costs.

Current projections suggest that longer-lasting and more efficient batteries will be available in as little as 3 years. We can hope for complete migration to zero-impact mobility when that time comes.