With an estimated 477,000 electric vehicles (EVs) on UK roads, and electric cars projected to outsell diesel models by the end of 2022, more motorists than ever are climbing behind the wheel of an EV. Meanwhile, the popularity of electric cars looks set to continue growing ahead of the UK’s ban on sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles in 2030.
As the number of electric vehicles increases, the UK’s network of EV charging points is also expanding. But how do you ensure you can reliably reach your destination when you can’t simply drive into a petrol station? To get the best range out of your EV, it is helpful to:
- Drive more smoothly
- Plan an efficient route
- Check tyre pressure
- Limit use of air conditioning
- Optimise charging
- Use regenerative braking
1. Drive More Smoothly
Avoid heavy acceleration and sharp braking, which will drain your car’s battery faster. Where possible, drive at slower speeds – sticking below 60mph will help your EV go further.
2. Plan An Efficient Route
Driving on high speed roads like motorways and dual carriageways will use more energy and reduce the range of your EV. Choose a route where you can drive steadily at lower speeds, rather than stopping and starting in heavy traffic. Hilly and mountainous terrain also uses more energy, so stay on flat roads where you can. Most electric vehicles have a navigation system that will suggest the most efficient route from A to B.
On long journeys, remember to plan when and where you will stop to charge your vehicle to avoid a frantic search for a charging station.
3. Check Tyre Pressure
Under-inflated tyres will increase the energy consumption of an EV and can also lead to uneven tread wear. Always check your tyre pressure before taking a longer trip and ensure tyres are properly inflated to the manufacturer-recommended PSI.
4. Limit the Use of Air Conditioning
Frequent use of your electric vehicle’s ventilation system, whether for heating or cooling, will mean the battery needs charging more often. Try to limit your air con use where you can and only switch it on when the temperature is uncomfortable.
Many EVs have a pre-conditioning feature which allows you to set the temperature inside the car while it is charging. This uses energy from the charging point rather than the battery and also means you can slip into a perfectly cooled or heated car and drive away in comfort.
5. Optimise Charging
Correctly charging your car’s battery will ensure that the battery cells perform better and last longer. If you use your EV for commuting and top-up its charge each night, try charging the battery to just 80% capacity. This is faster and also avoids the slow last 20% of charge which causes the battery cells to heat more, which can lead to faster degradation of the cells.
6. Use Regenerative Braking
All electric vehicles have a regenerative braking system, which sends energy to the battery when you lift away from the accelerator or brush the brakes. Using this system will add more miles to your range and is more efficient than using traditional friction brakes.
Install a New EV Charging Point
East Goscote Electrics can install EV charging points at home or at work so you are always ready to hit the road. To request a quote, call us on 0116 260 1749 or complete our contact form to get in touch.
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