Automakers seek to extend driving range, improve overall performance of EVs

Hyundai Motor Co.’s IONIQ 6 [Photo provided by Hyundai Motor]

A growing number of consumers in South Korea that placed orders to buy Tesla Inc.’s Chinese-made all-electric sport utility vehicle Model Y launched last week are canceling their orders due to the relatively short driving range of up to 350 kilometers per single charge.

Consumer interest has been rising on Tesla’s Chinese-made Model Y in Korea after its release, particularly on the maximum driving range of the electric vehicle. About 13,000 purchase contracts have been made just four days after its release but the model has faced a series of cancellations due to its maximum range being limited to 350 kilometers.

The driving range of electric cars is considered the top priority factor for consumers when purchasing an electric vehicle.

According to an analysis of 67 electric passenger cars in Korea listed on zero-emission vehicle integrated portal managed by the Ministry of Environment on Thursday, Hyundai Motor Co.’s IONIQ 6 (long-range, two-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels) had the longest driving range per single charge of up to 544 kilometers.

It means that the car can go an additional 140 kilometers after traveling from Seoul to Busan (400 kilometers).

The driving efficiency of electric cars decreases as the wheel size increases because larger wheels require more electricity to turn. The IONIQ 6 offers two wheel size options - 18-inch and 20-inch - and there is a difference in the driving range between them.

The second place went to Tesla Model 3 (long-range), with a driving range of about 527 kilometers on a single charge. Tesla’s Model Y (long-range) ranked third, with a driving range of about 511 kilometers, followed by Kia Corp.’s EV9 (two-wheel drive, 19-inch wheels) with 508 kilometers, IONIQ 6 (long-range, four-wheel drive, 18-inch wheels) with 499 kilometers, and EV9 (two-wheel drive, 20-inch wheels) with 490 kilometers.

The Genesis GV60 (standard, two-wheel drive, 19-inch wheels) achieved a driving range of 470 kilometers.

Hyundai Motor Co.’s Genesis GV60 [Photo provided by Hyundai Motor]

Although not included in the top 10, among the imported cars with the longest driving range was the BMW i4 3Drive 40 (444 kilometers). According to the Ministry of Environment standards, imported cars generally have relatively shorter driving ranges on a full charge.

“The main reason that makes people hesitate to purchase electric cars is the inconvenience related to charging,” said Lee Hang-koo of the Jeonbuk Institute of Automotive Convergence Technology. “Efforts are being made in the automobile industry to achieve a maximum driving range of over 400 kilometers.”

Lee noted that for the market to expand further, various factors such as reduced charging time and efficiency in low-temperature conditions need to be improved.

Electric cars have the chronic problem of their battery performance weakening in cold weather, leading to a significant drop in maximum driving range during winter. The ratio of driving range between normal and low-temperature conditions is essential. The smaller the difference in driving range between normal and low-temperature conditions, the higher the winter driving efficiency.

According to the analysis on the Ministry of Environment data, the model with the smallest difference in driving range between normal and low-temperature conditions among major domestic electric cars was the Genesis G80 (94.9 percent), followed by the Kia EV6 (long-range, four-wheel drive, 20-inch wheels) at 93.36 percent.

The Tesla Model Y (long-range) exhibited 84 percent, Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 80 percent, and BMW i4 eDrive 40 73 percent.

The automotive industry is accelerating its electrification strategy by conducting research and development to not only extend the driving range but also comprehensively improve powertrain performance and driving performance.

“Simply increasing battery capacity will extend the driving range, but the challenge lies in raising the powertrain concept, which is the concept of internal combustion engine vehicles, while increasing driving performance and range,” said an industry insider. “The technology level related to driving distance is rapidly increasing each year.”