Small changes can make a big difference to the range of your electric vehicle (EV). Making the most of your range is about knowing your EV well. Here are six simple and practical tips to help you make every charge go the distance.
If you understand how to take care of your EV’s battery and how to drive an electric car efficiently, you can maximise its performance and extend its range. Try our tips to help you get the most miles from each charge.
1. Check your tyre pressure often
When your tyres are under-inflated, they increase the drag while you drive and reduce your EV’s efficiency.
It can cause damage too. The AA says tyre faults due to potholes, punctures and wear are among the biggest causes of breaking down among EV owners.
Get into the habit of checking your tyre pressure regularly using a tyre gauge. Or check the virtual display on your vehicle’s dashboard. Some models even indicate their exact pressure.
Look for a sticker on the inside frame of your car door or check your EV’s manual. It will tell you what the ideal pressure is for the front and back set of tyres on your EV, depending on how many people are in your vehicle.
You can also book an appointment with Kwik Fit to check your tyres, if you need to. Keep your tyres topped up to the recommended level and you’ll add several miles to each charge. It’s a great way to make the most of your range.
2. Explore Eco mode
Many EVs let you switch on ‘Eco’ mode or a similar setting. This is short for ‘economical’ and makes sure your EV uses energy efficiently while you drive.
When you’re driving in Eco mode, your range increases, but you sacrifice some power when you accelerate. Your EV will also prioritise battery life above luxuries like air conditioning.
It’s OK, you’ll still enjoy a comfortable drive. It just smooths acceleration in stop-start traffic. On long drives, it increases fuel efficiency by using the most economical settings.
Take the time to understand what your new EV can do. Reading a manual is less fun than driving your EV, but knowing your driving modes can make a huge difference.
3. Stay smart with heating and air conditioning
Cold weather affects range because the chemicals in the battery slow down. But there are plenty of things you can do to look after your EV when the temperature drops.
A chilly climate should not make a difference during your quick day-to-day trips, but it does affect your range when you’re going on a longer drive.
The features inside your car impact your range as well. When you turn on the heating or air conditioning, it draws some power from your battery. If you need to heat your EV during a journey, consider heating only the seats and steering wheel.
The best trick is to precondition your EV before you get in. If you do this while your EV is plugged in, you’ll draw energy from your chargepoint rather than the battery, and you’ll start every journey with the right charge and temperature.
Extreme heat affects your EV too, so keep it parked somewhere cool. The air conditioning uses more power than heating, so try to use it wisely. On hot days, open a window. The extra drag will cool your EV without using any battery power.
How we support you
We support you with charging on the Scheme, both at home and on the go. Visit our EV Hub and use our range of tools to help make electric driving easier for you.
We’ll always give you practical advice for every stage of your electric journey.
4. Drive at steady speeds
Driving at high speed will drain your EV’s batter faster. The most efficient way to drive your EV is steadily, just like in a petrol or diesel car.
The smoother you drive, the less energy your EV will use. That means no quick acceleration either. Stick to a moderate, practical pace.
What’s the most efficient speed for an electric car?
It varies from model to model, but according to GRIDSERVE, it’s usually 50 to 60mph.
Try to read the traffic ahead, so you can avoid having to brake hard or accelerate, which is never energy-efficient or safe.
Driving smoothly will let you make the most of your EV’s regenerative braking and cruise control. It’s a great way to keep your speed consistent.
5. Lighten your load
Never expect your EV to move efficiently if you’ve filled it with heavy luggage or mobility equipment. The more weight you add to your EV, including passengers, the more energy it needs to move.
Every kilogramme matters, so you might want to adopt a travelling-light mindset and take only what you need on each journey. This will help you maximise your fuel efficiency.
Clear your boot and remove roof racks, boxes, and bike racks if you’re not using them. Close your windows at higher speeds to reduce drag, unless you’re using the windows as an alternative to air conditioning.
How to increase the range of your electric car
Discover why and how range has risen so much over the last 15 years.
Watch our video for some practical habits to help you extend your range:
6. Plan where and when you’ll charge
Use our route and range mapping tool to plan your journeys around charging. Just enter your starting point and end destination to get real-time charging information.
Zapmap also has a handy app to help you find chargepoints. Planning will help you feel confident, in control, and free of any worries about your journey.
Keep our six easy habits in mind
You’ll be one step ahead of most EV drivers. Remember to put range first, make a difference, and get the absolute most out of your EV.
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