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Automotive

How Do I Choose the Best Electric SUV?

By Carol Luther
Updated Jan 22, 2024
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Electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) owners get fuel efficiency and a low-carbon footprint in one vehicle. The best electric SUV is a zero-emissions vehicle that provides fast charging, higher-than-average mileage, horsepower and a generous driving range on one charge. Limited choices for all-electric SUVs mean consumers often consider hybrids that use both electricity and fossil fuel. Hybrid SUVs plug in to recharge but switch to regular fuel when the battery has no power.

Plug-in hybrids dominate the electric SUV market. An early entry in the all-electric, zero-emissions SUV market ended production in 2003, with a few hundred remaining on the road in the United States in 2011. Zero-emissions electric SUV production in China and the United Kingdom has the potential to give drivers worldwide a carbon-neutral SUV option. News stories and press releases fuel hint at the possibility of a new, all-electric SUV manufactured in the U.S.

The mileage estimates for hybrid electric vehicles are an average of the miles per gallon when using fuel and miles per kilowatt when running on the batteries. A mpg rating of 32 mpg (13.6 kilometers per liter) for electric and hybrids is an above-average rating. The worse rating for hybrids is 17 mpg (7.23 kpl), typical for a luxury SUV hybrid.

The driving range for a fully charged electric vehicle determines whether one can use it mainly for commuting, neighborhood errands and carpooling or for something more. On long highway trips where charging options might be limited, the range is far below comparable to gas and diesel SUVs. An electric SUV also has a shorter driving range than a smaller, lighter electric vehicle. Available zero-emissions electric SUVs have a driving range that varies from 100 miles to 200 miles (169 kilometers to 322 kilometers) between charges.

Charging time for electric and hybrid SUVs depends on the size and type of batteries installed. The majority of SUVs require several hours to recharge a drained battery. The fastest charging time is 10 minutes for a crossover SUV.

The appeal of green driving diminishes when one has an SUV with no pep. Quick acceleration is a constant need for city and highway driving. Zero-emissions electric SUVs go from 0 to 60 miles per hour (0 to 27 meters per second) in a matter of 7 seconds at the high end with V-6 engines. Smaller, four-cylinder engines can manage that acceleration in from 8 to 10 seconds.

Maximum speeds top out at 130 mph (210 kph) for a luxury hybrid SUV. Top speed for a zero-emissions SUV is 85 mph (137 kph). The average maximum speed hovers around 100 mph (161 kph) for the majority of hybrid SUVs.

WikiMotors is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
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Discussion Comments

By anon942281 — On Mar 26, 2014

The most important question is where the electrons come from. Plug in all you want, but if the power isn't renewable or nuclear, electric is counterproductive.

By whiteplane — On Mar 31, 2012

The idea of an electric SUV almost seems impractical. That is sort of like a one pound veggie burger. You get the feeling that people who own SUVs kind of like the fuel consumption aspect of it and might turn their noses up at the idea of an electric vehicle. It is about the power and strength of a big machine and I think electric cars still have the stigma of being something for skinny necked hippies.

By jonrss — On Mar 31, 2012

I remember hearing before the election of 2008 that Barack Obama and his family owned a hybrid Ford Escape which is a mid sized SUV. I guess that owning a hybrid is probably mandatory for any Democratic candidate running for major office these days.

By gravois — On Mar 30, 2012

I have a question about new SUVs that run entirely on electric power. We all know that because of the size and weight of SUVs they get much worse gas mileage than sedans or smaller vehicles. So would they also use electricity less efficiently than an all electric sedan?

Lets say that my sedan can go 50 miles on a single charge of electricity. How far would the SUV go with an identical charge?

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