Although many electric light vehicles (EV) have shorter ranges between "refuels" than gasoline vehicles, some EVs have ranges equal to or greater than some gasoline-powered models. For the 2017 model year (MY) the maximum range for an all-electric vehicle (AEV) is 335 miles (Tesla Model S 100D), while the minimum range for a gasoline model is 224 miles (Dodge Viper). Fuel cell vehicles (three are currently on the market) have mileage ranges close to the maximum range of an AEV. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) use both gasoline and electricity drawn from the grid. The all-electric range of PHEV models varies greatly, and the total gasoline and electric range of a PHEV is between 180 and 640 miles for MY 2017 vehicles. The ranges for EVs have been increasing since their debut in the mass market but technological improvements have also increased the ranges for gasoline vehicles. For MY 2017, the median range for gasoline vehicles was 418 miles while the maximum range was nearly 800 miles (Ford F-150 with optional 36-gallon fuel capacity).
Breadth of Fuel Cell, AEV, PHEV, and Gasoline Light Vehicle Ranges, MY 2017
Fuel Type | MY 2017 Vehicle with the Minimum Range | MY 2017 Vehicle with the Maximum Range |
|---|---|---|
Fuel Cell Vehicles | Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell | Honda Clarity Fuel Cell |
All-Electric Vehicles | smart fortwo Electric Drive Coupe | Tesla Model S All-wheel Drive - 100D |
Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles | BMW I3 REX (94 amp-hour battery) | Toyota Prius Prime (PHEV) |
Gasoline Vehicles | Dodge Viper, 8.4 liter, 10 cylinders, manual 6-speed | Ford F150 Pickup 2WD, 2.7 liter, 6 cylinders, automatic (S6), turbo with optional 36-gallon fuel capacity |
Notes:
- Vehicle ranges are Environmental Protection Agency estimated ranges. Each make and model was counted only once, selecting the configuration with the longest range.
- Plug-in hybrid vehicle range is the total of both gasoline and electric miles, assuming a fully-charged battery and a full tank of gasoline.
- Hybrid-electric vehicles which are fueled only with gasoline are included in the gasoline vehicle data.
Source: U. S. Department of Energy, FuelEconomy.Gov data, accessed November 14, 2017.