Electric cars have progressed at a remarkable pace. It is worth remembering that around 20 years ago, a battery-powered car managing 115 km on a single charge (as the Nissan Hypermini did) was considered notable. Today, by contrast, some EVs can travel more than 400 km per charge.
Even so, range (or the lack of it), together with charging times, is still seen as one of the biggest drawbacks of electric cars. For some drivers, those two issues alone are enough to rule out buying one.
However, just as there are ways to improve fuel economy (and range) in combustion vehicles, there are also practical habits that help with EVs. To make range anxiety less of a worry, here is a list of tips for squeezing a few extra kilometres out of each battery charge.
1. Drive smoothly
This is advice that applies to any type of car. The heavier your right foot, the more you will use-whether that is electricity or fossil fuels-and the fewer kilometres you will cover.
It can be very tempting, especially in an electric car, to stamp on the accelerator at every start to enjoy the instant torque. But the more often you do it, the sooner you will need to stop and recharge. Pull away gently and steer clear of aggressive driving.
2. Slow down
Whenever you can, try to travel at a lower speed, keeping it below 100 km/h. Doing so helps extend the range of your electric car. According to a study by the United States Department of Energy, if we reduce average speed by about 16 km/h, range increases by around 14%.
Also, if your EV offers multiple driving modes, it is better to choose “Eco” rather than “Sport”-what you lose in acceleration and performance you gain back in range.
3. Use regenerative braking
As you know, electric cars can recover energy as they slow down through the regenerative braking system. So, when you approach traffic lights or need to come to a stop, try to let regenerative braking do the work instead of relying immediately on the friction brakes.
If your car allows it, it is also worth adjusting the regenerative braking set-up to capture as much energy as possible. That way, some of the energy spent pulling away can be offset during the next slowdown.
4. Use the cabin pre-heating function
Every time you switch on cabin heating in an electric car-particularly on the highest setting-it draws a sizeable amount of energy from the battery. To save energy, it is better to use the heated seats and heated steering wheel (if your car has them), as they typically consume less power.
Another option is to pre-heat the car while it is plugged in, which reduces how much heating you need while driving.
Like heating, air conditioning also “devours” energy, so the ideal approach is to use it as little as possible. Opening the windows can be a good alternative, but be careful: only at lower speeds, because as speed rises, open windows harm aerodynamics and can reduce range too.
If you really must use air conditioning, try running it while the car is still charging so it is less necessary once you are on the road.
5. Check tyre pressure
Studies suggest that roughly 25% of vehicles are driven with incorrect tyre pressure, and electric cars are no exception. As you know, driving with pressure that is too low increases energy consumption. On top of that, under-inflation can cause premature and uneven wear, as well as tyre overheating, which can even lead to a blowout.
To avoid these issues and improve range, check tyre pressures regularly and top them up whenever needed, following the manufacturer’s recommended figures (these are usually shown on a sticker in the driver’s door shut).
6. Reduce the weight on board
One of the most effective ways to boost a car’s efficiency is to remove unnecessary weight, and that naturally applies to electric cars too. So avoid travelling with pointless items in the boot or scattered around the cabin. By doing this, range can increase by between 1 and 2%.
7. Learn how to charge the battery
Contrary to what you might assume, keeping the battery permanently plugged in whenever the car is in the garage may not be the best idea. Most batteries used in electric cars tend to start discharging slowly once charging has finished.
So, ideally, charging should end just before you set off on your journey. Doing this can also improve the battery’s average lifespan.
8. Plan the journey
Sometimes the quickest route is not the most efficient. For instance, you may achieve better range by using an A-road instead of a motorway, because speeds are lower and the energy regeneration system has more chances to do its job-whereas on a motorway you are continually accelerating and consuming energy.
At the same time, it is sensible to avoid very hilly areas or heavy traffic, as those conditions also take their toll on range. The best approach is to plan ahead: not only can you steer clear of routes that waste more energy, but you can also map out places where you can charge the car.
9. Maintain aerodynamics
Electric cars are designed with aerodynamics in mind. The less resistance they create as air passes over them, the more efficient they are. So it is best not to undo the work of the designers and engineers. In practice, that means avoiding roof bars or roof boxes that can harm aerodynamics and reduce range.
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