The Ford Mustang Mach-E – Ready for Fun

Ford drivers have a great option for an EV. The Mustang Mach-E is great in any form, but the Premium or the GT will take your driving to new heights. The Mach-E offers the perfect blend of power and style, but get behind the wheel of the GT, and you’ll experience up to 480 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque from the two electric motors.
Inside, a 15.5-inch touchscreen puts all your infotainment at your fingertips and a large panoramic glass roof lets in lots of natural light.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 – Well Rounded Performance

The latest Ioniq 5 has the comfortable cabin you want for an everyday driver, impressive range to help alleviate any range anxiety, and it’s got the power you want. There’s something for everyone when it comes to powertrains. A single motor setup is perfect for commuting, but if you like swift acceleration the dual-motor setup with all-wheel drive makes passing other vehicles more fun and effortless.

Kia Sportage PHEV X-Line – A Combination of Style and Substance

The Kia Sportage PHEV X-Line is the plug-in hybrid for drivers who need some versatility in their vehicle but want to look good driving it. Power comes from an electric motor and a gas engine, giving you the best of both worlds. Drive up to 35 miles on pure electric power before the gas engine needs to kick in. All-wheel drive comes standard, so you always have plenty of traction.
Inside, everyone has a comfortable place to sit, and the X-Line has dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation, wireless charging, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for syncing your phone.

Chevy Blazer EV – Sharp Looks and Power to Back them Up

The Chevrolet Blazer EV has a lot to offer. It’s a sleek-looking little SUV with options galore. You can get this EV with rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Power comes from one or two electric motors, and horsepower ranges from 225 to 615 if you want to splurge on the top-level SS. This Blazer EV comes standard with all-wheel drive and uses regenerative braking.
The RS with its dual motor will zip to 60 mph in just six seconds, but if range is your priority, take a look at the rear-wheel drive version. It can go up to 334 miles before you need to stop and charge the battery.
Is it your time to buy an electric vehicle? Now just may be the best time to get one.

The post Get Your EV Swag On first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post Get Your EV Swag On appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.

Under the Hood of the New EV Battery Study

A new study was recently done by scientists in the SLAC-Stanford Battery Center. This center is a joint venture between Stanford University’s Precourt Institute for Energy and the SLAC National Accelerator Lab.
They found that batteries used real-world conditions such as heavy traffic, short trips in the city, and even long highway trips lasted longer than the batteries that were originally tested in the lab. In the lab, they simulated use by creating a constant rate of discharge and then recharging.

What Did the SLAC-Stanford Battery Center Do?

The SLAC-Standford Battery Center conducted their test differently than the previous battery tests. They replicated real-world conditions and driving patterns by designing different discharge patterns based on real data. They tested 92 lithium-ion batteries for over two years using a variety of different scenarios such as electronic starting and stopping, to mimic real conditions.

What Did They Find?

Once batteries were being used out in real driving conditions, including long periods of being parked, they realized that the way they were testing the batteries in the lab was not a good way to predict the life expectancy. Other driving habits such as frequent acceleration, braking the charges the battery, and letting the battery rest for several hours such as overnight, helps them last up to 40 percent longer.

So What Does This Mean for EV Drivers?

What does this pleasant surprise mean for people who already drive electric vehicles or are looking into buying electric SUVs? It means that EV drivers could save a significant amount of money in the long run.
One of the things that was holding some car buyers back from choosing an EV over a gas vehicle was the idea that they would have to replace the battery, Now, they can feel more comfortable with the idea of an EV, knowing that the replacement is many years down the road. Batteries that last longer help reduce the overall cost of owning an EV.

What Affects Battery Life

EV batteries can last 10 or 20 years, but there are many things that can have an effect on how long they last. One of the biggest factors is battery chemistry. There are two main types of batteries found in EVs: lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride. Most EVs have lithium-ion batteries.
In addition to the type of battery, the environmental conditions can impact its lifespan. Extreme heat and cold can affect the chemical process. DC fast charging is another factor that can affect battery life. Frequent use is linked to faster degradation.

The post Real World Driving is Better for EV Batteries first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post Real World Driving is Better for EV Batteries appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.