GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR ELECTRIC CAR
Master regenerative braking and route plan like a pro with these top EV tips
USE ROUTE PLANNING APPS
Careful route planning, and knowing where the fastest and most convenient chargers are, is key to a successful EV road trip. Tesla’s navigation system and Supercharger network is the gold standard, telling you when to stop, and for precisely how long, to reach your destination as quickly as possible.
Other systems, including Google Maps, aren’t as good. Instead do your research using Zap Map (zap-map.com) and A Better Route Planner (abetterrouteplanner.com).
HAVE A CHARGER BACKUP PLAN Public chargers don’t always work. Give yourself plenty of time (and range) to find another, and make sure you have downloaded the app and created an account for every charge network you plan to use. Do this before setting off, as some service stations have poor phone coverage and chargers don’t always accept contactless payment.
SUSS OUT REGENERATIVE BRAKING A key feature of EVs is regenerative braking, where the motor acts as a generator when coasting or braking, feeding kinetic energy back into the battery.
Regen strength can often be adjusted using paddles behind the steering wheel, with a higher strength slowing the car more quickly and feeding more energy into the battery. It’s even possible to gain a mile or two of range when coasting downhill.
CHARGE AT HOME
If you have off-street charging, a home charger is a must. Leading brands include Zappi, Wallbox, Ohme and Andersen, with costs varying depending on their speed, design and additional features. Most UK homes have one-phase wiring capable of running a charger at 3.6kW or 7kW, which is generally plenty for an overnight fill.
DON’T BE DISTRACTED BY ACCELERATION STATS
We live in a world where a Kia SUV can out-accelerate a Ferrari. But, while otherworldly straight-line performance is exhilarating, your passengers might be less amused, and frequent trips to the Traffic Light Grand Prix will knock chunks off the car’s range. EVs are much more energyefficient in slow traffic than petrol and diesel cars, and perform best when cruising at, or slightly below, the motorway speed limit.