Electric car choice in Latvia: longer range or longer battery life?
Citadele Leasing data show that nearly four in five electric cars bought in Latvia over the past three years have longer-range batteries. Experts say buyers should also weigh battery lifespan and driving habits.
Buyers of electric cars in Latvia face a trade-off between longer range on a single charge and a battery that retains performance for longer. Market data compiled by Citadele Leasing, a leasing company, indicate that over the past three years almost four out of five electric cars purchased in Latvia had batteries offering greater range. Experts say that does not always make it the better choice.
Range and price
Batteries differ: some allow longer distances, while others are more durable and keep their performance for longer. More affordable models now offer more as well – cars costing about €37,000 can cover 350–450 kilometres, while pricier ones, starting at around €50,000, can exceed 500 kilometres.
Pēteris Plaudis, head of Citadele Leasing in Latvia, says the number of electric cars in the country has doubled in three years, helped by the state support programme administered by EKII. According to him, a growing number of mid-range and budget models now deliver more than 400 kilometres. The most popular purchases were the Toyota bZ4X, Lynk & Co 02 and Škoda Enyaq, while the BYD Sealion 7, GWM Ora Funky Cat and Dongfeng Box attract buyers with longer battery life and durability.
Warranty and use
In the European Union, manufacturers must provide a warranty of at least eight years or 160,000 kilometres. Most guarantee that battery capacity will be at least 70% of the original at the end of that period.
Matīss Zemītis, head of the XPENG brand represented by Autobrava Motors, stresses that battery life depends most on how the car is used: smooth driving and sufficiently long charging. An electric motor converts about 95% of the battery's energy into motion, versus roughly 30% efficiency for combustion engines. Consumption rises with a roof box, heavy loads, a trailer, heavy rain and speeds above 100 km/h. In a moderate winter, range may fall by about 30%.
Zemītis also notes that navigation systems can plan routes with charging stops by themselves, for example from Riga to Berlin, and that newer models can act as a 230 V power source via an adapter, including backup power for a household.
