Tricks and tips to boost your EVs range (part 1)

Electric cars offer a fun new driving experience, however, if you are new to the game, there are a few things you should know to enjoy a smooth ride.

Electric vehicles are all the rage these days. The advent of this new technology brought along a few new things we should learn if we want to understand how to get the best out of them. While the early days saw EV-drivers get acquainted with things like range anxiety, it is now known, that even first generation (e.g.: manufactured about 10 years ago) EVs can offer enough range for most of the everyday activities of a regular driver – like commuting or taking the kids to school.

That said, anyone switching from an ICE car to an EV will notice that most EVs don’t yet have the same range of a diesel or gasoline car (some top-of-the-line models do, but those are mostly out of reach to the average car buyer). This is not too great a problem though, as you only need a bit of foresight to plan your route accordingly, letting you avoid the icy touch of range anxiety on your journey. With that in mind, let us give you a few tips that can help you maximize your EVs range.

Ease up on the lead foot!

Granted, it’s exhilarating to experience the breakneck acceleration of EVs, made possible by the instant torque. However, putting the pedal to the metal (continuous acceleration/braking) is quite detrimental to the range of the car. Instead of flooring it, accelerate smoothly and your car’s battery will thank you in the long run.

Some EV manufacturers even included a little gamification in their vehicles to help you drive sustainably. Pay attention to your car’s energy consumption and make sure to stay in the green range, regardless of whether you’re accelerating, coasting, or breaking. You can even challenge yourself to drive as energy efficiently as possible.

Maximize EV range and efficiency through sensible driving habits

Driving in excess is never a good idea, and it is especially disadvantageous when you’re driving an EV. Most electric cars perform really well at slower speeds – think 30-50 km/h – and even on highways it is beneficial to opt for a slower speed. According to the Energy Saving Trust’s experts, an EV’s range diminishes by about 36 percent of range if you drive around 130 km/h as opposed to 110 km/h. Be aware of traffic signage though as some sections of highways require you to keep your speed at a certain minimum.

Don’t hesitate – recuperate!

One of the biggest advantages of EVs is their capability to recuperate some of the kinetic energy of the car when braking or slowing down. However, the recuperation has an optimal level – brake too hard and you will lose some of the precious energy you’ve drawn from the batteries. Stay aware of your surroundings and plan decelerations – either before an intersection or a traffic light about to turn red – accordingly.

Give heat the cold shoulder!

Cranking up your EVs heater can seriously drain your batteries. The good news is, you don’t have to put on a fur coat to avoid catching a cold on the route. Most EVs offer a pre-heating option while charging, which is a good idea to take advantage of, as this way you won’t have to spend a good chunk of your range to thaw the cabin. This has another upside as you will be more comfortable when sitting in the car on a cold day. During your trip, instead of blasting hot air into the cabin, utilize your heated seats and steering wheel if your car has such features – most EVs do. Even better, as most new EVs have heat pumps, that radically reduce consumption as they cut down on energy use when heating the car.

In conclusion, these tricks and tips provide a solid foundation for boosting your EV's range and maximizing efficiency. But our journey doesn't end here. In the upcoming blog post, we'll dive even deeper into the realm of EV range optimization. The possibilities are vast, and we're just getting started.

Stay tuned.

Drive safe!