How to get more range from an electric car
ELECTRIC cars continue to receive some criticism for their real-world ranges often being way off their claimed predictions.
However, if you want to get more miles out of an EV from each charge, there are various steps that you can take. Here are some top tips to maximise the range of an EV.
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Cut your speed back
Just like in a petrol or diesel car, if you want to get more kilometres from your ‘tank’, you should cut back your speed. It’s arguably exaggerated more in an EV, with these models known for their ranges to tumble at motorway speeds, especially for any period of time. Electric cars are generally far more efficient at between 80kph and 95kph than they are at 110kph. While it might seem like slow progress is being made, it can often be quicker this way than going faster and having to charge more frequently. You should always drive at a safe speed, however, and never do well below the national limit as this can be dangerous. ■
Make the most of a car’s regenerative braking feature
All EVs on the market feature regenerative braking, where the electric motor can be used as a generator to send energy back to the battery when you lift off the accelerator or brake. Many models let you adjust or control the level of ‘regen’, some even going as far as having one-pedal driving, where the regenerative braking is strong enough that it can bring the car to a stop.
Regenerative braking is an easy win to help add charge to your battery, it also saves having to use the regular brakes, meaning they won’t need changing as often.
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Turn off the heater and air-conditioning when not needed
Some EVs are particularly badly impacted by having the air-conditioning or heating on, so where possible it’s worth switching this off, as well as any other ancillary features that aren’t needed.
If you do want some ventilation, most EVs offer an ‘Eco’ or ‘Driver Only’ setting for climate control that requires less energy, but obviously won’t cool down the cabin as quickly. Meanwhile, if you want to warm up, plenty of new EVs feature heated seats, which are a less energy-intensive way than having to heat the whole interior.
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Choose a more efficient route
When owning an EV, especially if you do any longer trips, you quickly become accustomed to route planning. Particularly when it comes to charging, you’ll likely have worked out where you want to stop and plug in, and calculated the amount of extra time that might need to factor into trips.
You should take a similarly thoughtful approach when it comes to planning a more efficient route. Spending more time on motorways and dual-carriageways will drain the range faster, for example. Thankfully many navigation services, including popular Google Maps, provide several route suggestions and even highlight those that use the least energy – ideal if you’re in an electric car.
Pre-warm or cool your car before setting off
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If you’re able to have your car plugged in at home, preconditioning will become your new best friend. This is where, via a smartphone app for your car, you are able to heat or cool the interior to get it to the right temperature before you even get to it. It’s especially useful on a particularly hot or cold day.
But using preconditioning will also benefit your car’s range, as if you programme the car to cool or heat while it’s still plugged in, it will preserve the battery’s power for driving, and therefore extend the range.
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Correct charging
When it comes to charging, it’s worth being mindful of the correct methods that can help prolong your car’s battery size, and it’s especially important if you’re running an older EV or looking to keep an electric car for many years.
Many manufacturers recommend only charging an EV to 80 per cent capacity, where possible. This is because the last 20 per cent of charge is particularly energy-intensive as it requires the battery cells to have to reach higher temperatures. Over time, and with constant 100 per cent charges, it could degrade the battery and its ability to hold charge.
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Pick your EV carefully
It's worth being mindful of choosing the right EV for you. If you’re doing a lot of motorway runs and racking up high mileage, a small EV will not be a sensible choice, as, despite your best efforts, you’ll struggle to get a long range from it. You should also be mindful of alloy wheel sizes. Many electric car owners tend to choose the smaller alloy wheel option (if available), as this can add up to around 20 miles of range compared to the largest rims.
You should also look out for an EV fitted with a heat pump. A heat pump takes excess heat from the battery and electrical systems, plus warm outside air, and compresses it, which then raises the temperature and can then be used to heat the cabin. It’s a much less energy-intensive process than a traditional heater