How To Drive Further On A Charge
Electric vehicles come with a WLTP range that provide a near “real world” estimate of how far you can go on a full charge. It’s a similar story for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and their fuel consumption ratings. It’s usually a figure that’s difficult to achieve even for seasoned drivers.
That said, in a recent article, we reported on a Volkswagen team in Europe that managed to drive a VW ID.7 Pro S far further than its 700km WLTP claimed would lead you to believe is possible. This helped prove that careful driving behaviour, can improve the economy of any vehicle.
Though EVs are far more economical than ICE ones, there are certain things you can do to maximize the range. This will then translate to fewer trips to rapid charging stations for emergency “top up” sessions.
Be sensitive with the throttle
Unlike ICE vehicles, which need time to reach peak power, EV motors are able to deliver 100% of torque the instant you step on the accelerator pedal. This is why they lunge forward violently when you stomp firmly on the throttle. This draws unnecessary power from the battery, especially when you don’t need that level of performance.
It doesn’t matter what EV you drive, they don’t require much effort to move, as such gentle taps of the accelerator pedal is enough to get them up to speed. Mastering the sensitivity of your throttle response will do wonders for your battery range.
Try to rely on regenerative braking when possible
EVs have a trick up their sleeves when it comes to scrubbing off speed. Unlike ICE vehicles, which can only rely on traditional brakes to slow down, electric vehicles can use their motors to accomplish the same task.
When you step on the brake pedal, the motor steps in and works as a generator to turn the vehicle’s movement into electricity that charges the battery. Effort is needed to overcome the resistance induced by the motor and this slows the vehicle down.
If the need to rapidly slow the vehicle overwhelms the regenerative braking system, the traditional brakes step in to get the job done. However, if you take a gentler approach to your braking behavior, regenerative braking should be sufficient, and this can help restore some of the charge throughout a journey.
Watch your speed
As your speed increases, so do the demands on the battery. That’s because power is needed to overcome the increasing air resistance, the faster you travel. That isn’t all, driving an EV at high speed can cause the battery to heat up rapidly, which will contribute to further loss of your total range.
That’s why its best to limit your driving to a moderate pace to save battery power and keep its temperature in check. Such efforts will also help prolong its lifespan and slow down the rate of degradation.
Keep your tyres properly inflated
EVs are usually fitted with special tyres that offer a good level of efficiency and grip. As such keeping them properly inflated prolongs their lifespan and maximises the vehicle’s range. An under inflated tyre increases the resistance to the direction of motion, requiring more power to overcome it.
An over inflated tyre will cause uneven wear on the tyre tread and offer a stiffer ride quality, which isn’t enjoyable for anyone. As such, if you check your tyres’ pressure once a week and top them off when necessary, they should contribute to an improved range.
Tempering your A/C use can also help but we live in a hot and humid country where being frugal with cooling is not an option. Besides this, modern EVs have very efficient air conditioning units. As such, improving your driving behaviour should be the best way forward.
