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Range is crucial when operating an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle (EV) with a limited range requires you to stop and recharge more frequently when you’re travelling long distances. Naturally, you’ll want to avoid that, given the amount of time it takes to charge an electric car – especially an older one.
Thankfully, there are techniques you can use to increase the range of your vehicle. You should note that you don’t have to increase the range by hundreds of miles in one go. Even extending the range by a few miles could mean the difference between reaching your destination and needing to stop and find a place to charge your electric car.
To help you out, here are ways to get more miles out of your electric car:
The way an internal combustion engine consumes little fuel when properly maintained is the same way an electric vehicle consumes little energy when you keep it in good shape. This means you must ensure that your EV is at peak performance to get the highest mileage.
As a rule of thumb, ensure that you take your car for regular checks. When you notice an issue with the vehicle, fix it before it worsens, regardless of how minor it is.
If you must replace any part of the car, ensure you only use genuine, high-quality parts, from a reputable store such as DPF Parts Direct.
Regenerative braking increases efficiency in electric vehicles by using the vehicle’s powertrain to recover kinetic energy while braking instead of allowing friction brakes to release speed as waste heat.
Most EVs have a mechanism to change how much regenerative braking is available, usually using a menu or paddle shifters. Many even have “one-pedal” driving modes, letting the vehicle stop with maximum regeneration by pressing the accelerator.
High regeneration levels can significantly increase range at urban speeds if you frequently stop for intersections, pedestrians, or other vehicles. Smooth driving, anticipating stops, and starting the deceleration earlier enable these higher regen modes to recover more energy, increasing range.
On the other hand, forceful, sudden stops will increase friction braking and energy waste, so you should be strategic in how you go about it.
While this is the case, you should note that not all of the energy can be recovered during regenerative braking; therefore, in highway situations where higher speeds are maintained for longer lengths, it is more advantageous not to apply any brakes.
To get the most highway miles out of each kilowatt-hour utilised, use low regeneration, coast when feasible, and maintain a constant speed.
Whether you’re driving an electric vehicle or one that runs on petrol, acceleration consumes energy. Furthermore, you drain more power from the battery the faster you speed. For this reason, you want to reach your cruising speed with the least amount of energy possible.
Don’t be tempted to press the accelerator pedal forcefully. Given how powerful and enjoyable off-the-line acceleration is in most EVs, some EV drivers may find it impossible to resist. But don’t fall for it. Instead, accelerate gradually and you will increase the mileage.
To be safe, watch the instrument cluster’s power meter. You should aim to use as little energy as possible.
According to 2019 AAA research, turning on the air conditioning during a hot day can cut an EV’s range by as much as 17%. Furthermore, the same study found that warming an EV’s cabin with resistive heating components can limit winter range by as much as 41%.
Due to this, you should be cautious about how you handle your car’s climate control.
Even while some automakers have tried to lessen the blow with energy-saving “eco-climate” settings or more efficient heat pipe technology, turning off your vehicle’s climate control system significantly impacts an electric vehicle’s range out of all its accessory systems.
If you don’t need to run the climate control, turn it off. If it’s hot outside, you could lower the windows instead of turning on the air conditioner.
Since tyres significantly impact an car’s efficiency and performance, many electric vehicles (EVs) are equipped with tyres designed to reduce rolling resistance and increase range.
Underinflated tyres usually roll with more drag and friction, decreasing performance and lengthening wear.
For maximum range, regularly check your electric vehicle’s tyres to ensure they are correctly inflated and damage-free.
You should note that all tyres lose pressure over time due to air seeping through the rubber, slow leaks or punctures, and even changes in ambient temperature.
For this reason, you should pay extra attention to your tyres as the temperature drops during the winter and refill them.
While you should refill the pressure, you should note that excessive air pressure can reduce the vehicle’s contact patch or the place where the rubber contacts the road, which can hurt grip, lengthen stopping distances, and jeopardise safety.
For information on the recommended tyre pressure, consult your electric vehicle’s owner’s manual or the helpful advice frequently printed in the door jamb. You can also use a portable tire inflator or a public air station to top off your tires as needed.
As much as tyre pressure monitoring devices are a standard feature on high-end EVs and can warn you if your tyre pressure falls too low, they’re not always accurate and usually only let you know when your tyre pressure is well below recommended levels.
To guarantee optimal performance, undertake routine manual checks with an appropriate tyre pressure gauge.
You should take the above measures to increase range in your electric vehicle. You should note that there is little you can do in a car whose battery is already of poor quality, so to ensure you have an easy time increasing the car’s mileage, buy a high-quality vehicle with a good battery.
