BMW study reveals why EV buyers demand more range than they need
Electric car buyers demand hundreds of kilometres of range, even though they need only a fraction of that for daily driving. According to a new BMW study, up to 120 kilometres would be enough for 73 per cent of Americans’ daily journeys, yet 42 per cent would not consider an electric car with a range below 480 kilometres. More telling still, fast charging may influence purchasing decisions more than an ever-larger battery.
Actual needs and buyers’ expectations do not align
Research firm Big Village surveyed 1,005 American adults in September on behalf of BMW Group. The results show a significant gap between daily driving needs and the demands buyers place on electric cars.
While 73 per cent of respondents could manage their daily journeys with a range of up to 120 kilometres, 42 per cent want at least 483 kilometres from an electric car. Of those, 18 per cent consider a range of more than 644 kilometres necessary.
Range is a decisive factor in purchasing decisions for 72 per cent of respondents, regardless of how far they actually drive each day.
The study, published by BMW on 8 October, confirms that buyers’ expectations of electric cars are shaped not only by daily needs but also by a desire to retain enough range in reserve for longer journeys.
Faster charging may prove more important than a larger battery
One of the study’s most important findings concerns charging speed. If an electric car could add around 240 kilometres of range in ten minutes, 53 per cent of respondents would be more interested in buying one.
The effect would be even stronger among younger drivers. Among Gen Z respondents, 70 per cent considered this charging capability important, as did 65 per cent of millennials.
Willingness to make charging stops has also increased. While 48 per cent of those surveyed in 2025 considered fast charging for up to 30 minutes acceptable, that figure has risen to 55 per cent this year.
BMW’s new iX3 shows where the technology is heading. With a suitable fast charger, its 800-volt electrical system can add around 298 kilometres of range in ten minutes, according to the manufacturer’s estimate for the US market.
An energy-efficient powertrain and a high-power charging system may therefore offer a better user experience than a larger battery. A smaller battery helps reduce vehicle weight, production costs and energy consumption, but requires well-functioning charging infrastructure.
Price is a greater concern than range
The purchase price remains the main barrier to electric car adoption, with 51 per cent of respondents identifying it as the primary concern. Battery durability and potential replacement costs worried 31 per cent, charging time 26 per cent and range 24 per cent.
However, 55 per cent of those surveyed would consider buying a used electric car if the price saving were large enough.
Overall, 68 per cent of respondents are interested in electric cars. Lower running costs were considered one of their main advantages by 27 per cent, while better driving dynamics and more modern technology were each cited by 19 per cent.
Real-world range matters more in Europe
Although BMW’s study concerns US consumers, its findings are also relevant to the European market. Manufacturers in Europe measure range using the WLTP methodology, which produces results that differ from those of US EPA tests.
For example, an electric car with a WLTP range of 500 kilometres may fall well short of that distance on a motorway in winter. Cold weather, high speeds and cabin heating significantly increase energy consumption.
A desire for greater range is therefore not necessarily unjustified. Buyers also take into account situations in which charging options are limited or actual energy consumption exceeds official figures.
Nevertheless, a clear trend emerges from BMW’s study: the next competitive advantage for electric cars may not be an even larger battery. Instead, the ability to cover a sufficient distance with reasonable energy consumption and replenish range as quickly as possible may become far more important.
