Market Research Future suggests that the roof rack market is set to expand from $1.747 billion to $2.909 billion by 2035. However, if you have a roof rack attached to your electric vehicle, it is undoubtedly impacting your battery range. This occurs because a roof rack enlarges the frontal surface area of your vehicle, thereby increasing the amount of wind resistance your car must overcome while driving.
Studies indicate that an unladen roof rack can decrease the fuel efficiency of a gasoline vehicle by up to 12%. Naturally, roof racks are frequently utilized for transporting large items such as bicycles, storage containers, and outdoor activity equipment, and securing these types of items atop your vehicle may decrease efficiency by 30% or more.
Electric vehicles are significantly more efficient than gasoline-fueled cars. The most efficient electric vehicles can convert as much as 95% of their stored energy into mechanical power, whereas a gasoline vehicle typically only converts about 30% of its chemical energy into movement. The aerodynamic effects of wind resistance are identical for both vehicle types, but you will perceive their impact much more noticeably when driving an EV. The average battery range for 2026 model-year EVs is 325 miles. Therefore, if an unoccupied roof rack leads to a 12% loss in your 95% efficient EV battery, your car’s range could diminish by over 35 miles per charge. Likewise, a fully loaded roof rack might result in a reduction of more than 90 miles in range.