Yes, the weight of an electric vehicle (EV) does affect its range and efficiency, but the impact depends on driving conditions and vehicle design.
How Weight Affects Efficiency
- City Driving: Heavier EVs are less efficient in stop-and-go traffic due to more energy needed to accelerate, although regenerative braking helps recover some energy.
- Highway Driving: Weight plays a smaller role at steady speeds, where aerodynamics and rolling resistance become more important factors.
- Hills and Inclines: Climbing requires more energy for heavier vehicles, reducing efficiency and range in hilly terrain.
Battery Size Often Compensates
To offset the added weight, larger EVs typically have bigger batteries, which helps maintain a reasonable range despite lower efficiency per kWh.