Range anxiety is often identified as a large contributor for a person not to get an electric vehicle. But, charging stations have been springing up across the nation quickly. Also, Hyundai has been working on a solution to the electric range worries. The company has a new Kona Electric crossover that achieves a significant milestone in range.

Hyundai Kona Electric breaks record for range on a single charge

According to our friends over at Carscoops, Three Kona Electric models were tested in Germany to determine the range of the fully charged batteries. All three Kona Electric models ended the trials exceeding 620 miles on a single battery charge, traveling as much as 637 miles. That is a huge accomplishment.

Testing specifications of the Hyundai Kona Electric

The testing of the three Hyundai Kona Electric models was conducted under the watchful eye of Dekra, a European Vehicle Inspection company. Each model was unmodified. Inside, the drivers accomplished the feat without the use of air conditioning and with the entertainment systems turned off. 36 driver changes were worked into the tests.

Results of the Kona Electric testing

When the tests concluded, each of the Hyundai Kona Electric models had accomplished over 620-miles at an average of 18-19 mile-per-hour. The testing firm indicated that the average speed reflected inner-city stop-and-go traffic. This would be the most impactful conditions for an electric battery, versus a highway speed test.

“With this test, the Kona Electric confirmed what many of our customers already know: it is a reliably efficient and eco-friendly lifestyle SUV that is practical for everyday use. Customers driving the Kona Electric or other Hyundai EVs can expect to drive long distances without recharging or feeling range anxiety.” – Hyundai Germany Managing Director Jurgen Keller. 

Why is 620-miles of range significant?

One might ask, why is 620-miles of range on a single charge significant? One of the biggest detractors of people switching to electric vehicles is the lack of charging stations compared to regular gas stations servicing an internal combustion engine vehicle. Gas stations are everywhere. For comparison, electric charging stations are still rare in many parts of the country. Although the number of charging stations is increasing year-over-year, the disparity initially discouraged many people from jumping onto the electric bandwagon. People did not want to be in the middle of a trip in their electric car only to find out that there was not another charging station handy. Hence the term, range anxiety. 

Auto manufacturers have understood the range anxiety concern from day one. So, many have been pushing battery technology to advance. Previously, it was a great achievement for an all-electric car to make it to 200-miles on a single charge. Now 300 miles seems to be becoming the average. However, automakers keep pushing. Tesla is about to announce a new battery technology in a meeting in September that is rumored to be a big jump in range. But, in the meantime, the test of these three stock Kona Electric vehicles just blew the doors off many competitors. The 620-mile achievement is a huge leap, one that those with range anxiety will probably appreciate the most. 

Some disparity is clear

Interestingly, however, according to Hyundai’s website, the Kona Electric only has range of 258 miles for the 2020 model. So, there is a significant disparity. It has been speculated that the powerplant may be different from Germany to the United States. This would certainly affect the results of the test. But, if battery technology is that good somewhere else, it will only be a matter of time before it is brought to our shores as well.