Like all early EV adopters I have been driving an EV for years, and thanks to Drive Green I have been driving ‘every’ EV for years, both locally and on long-distance drives.
All of this experience, coupled with the obvious science of EV driving has meant that where I need to, I am able to get some amazing distances out of many of the EVs I get to drive.
From this experience, I have produced this guide and tips to help new EV drivers get the most range out of their EV.
Most of the advice given here follows the obvious and widely accepted principles of range maximization, however there are some surprises here, as I have been able to achieve some of my longest ranges driving at speed on the motorway, contrary to what a lot of the standard EV science suggests.
How you drive your EV is the most important factor in range maximization and hopefully this article will help you get the most from your EV when you need it to have the longest range possible.
Range is only as important as the distances you need to drive. It sounds obvious, but we see lots of people coming to buy an EV with the biggest range possible, but for almost exclusively local driving.
Some people drive lots as part of their work, and for them range is critical every day, however for most people the long drives are only occasional. However if ever you are doing long drives then maximising the range you can get out of your EV, can minimise the number of charging stops needed, or even remove the need to public charging completely.
The public charging network, with regards to journey charging, is now really good and getting better all the time, so following principles of good planning, charging on a longer journey is not a big issue. However not needing to stop and charge when you can is always a plus, and as a result, knowing how to get as much range out of your EV as possible is a valuable skill.
With the high cost of energy driving economically will also help reduce the cost of driving.
Speed is definitely one of the biggest factors affecting an EVs driving range
Driving faster requires more energy to overcome drag and rolling resistance, which reduces the EV’s range. For example, The Energy Saving Trust says the difference between driving at 50 mph and 70 mph is a 36% lower range. For an EV with a 250-mile capability, that’s a reduction of 90 miles. So driving slower gives you more miles.
This is a big difference and to maximise your driving range on a long journey, which will invariably involve driving on high-speed roads and motorways, it is important that you establish your speed sweet spot – the speed at which you feel happy you are keeping up with traffic, whilst not driving too fast. For me, that tends to be about 60 mph.
Although most data points towards a very binary relationship between speed and range, I have found this to not always be the case, and I regularly achieve my longest driving ranges when driving on the motorway, as long as I manage my speed, and have the regen level turned off or low / have the car sat in cruise control.
TIP: on the motorway set your cruise control to 60mph
How you drive is super important, and I think even more impactful than speed. Aggressive driving with rapid acceleration and braking can drain the battery much faster. Whilst most standard EV science points to speed as the primary enemy of range, I think it is more accurately described as ‘acceleration’ being the enemy of range.
A steady, smooth driving style, without a heavy foot, and letting the car slow naturally using its regen rather than normal braking, is the way to maximise range.
This is my explanation as to why I can get such a good range when driving on the motorway, as once I am at speed the car is just coasting along, with minimal extra energy being required from the accelerator pedal.
TIP: Drive smoothly and maintain a steady speed when on the open road, and avoid rapid acceleration.
Hopefully most people looking at EVs will have heard of ‘Regen’ braking, but in case you haven’t I will briefly explain this unique energy-efficient trait of electric vehicles.
Regenerative braking is used in electric vehicles to not only provide that lovely ‘one pedal’ style of driving where you don’t need to use the brakes so much, but more importantly to increase an EV’s efficiency by recapturing and using as much energy as possible. An electric motor when it’s run in one direction, converts electrical energy into mechanical energy that is used to turn the wheels of the car, driving it forward. However, when the motor is run in the opposite direction, the motor becomes an electric generator, converting the mechanical energy of the car’s momentum back into electrical energy. This electrical energy is then fed into the charging system for the car’s batteries.
Using an EVs regen braking system is a great way to recapture as much energy as possible, thus extending the car’s range. You are basically recharging the car while you are driving.
When you step off the accelerator, rather than pressing the brake pedal, you allow the regenerative braking feature to replenish the battery by capturing what would otherwise be lost energy. It also reduces your speed. Putting both factors together – a smoother driving style with the use of regenerative braking – and you will be surprised at how much energy conservation is possible.
Most EV’s have some adjustability in regenerative braking, so when you are driving in a urban environment, or in a situation where you would otherwise be regularly braking, have the car’s regen set higher so you hardly need to use the brake to slow, and you recapture as much energy as possible.
If you are driving down a steep hill increase it even higher still to capture even more energy.
TIP: Use your regen braking to slow the car as much as often as possible, with the regen set to its higher settings in environments where you need to brake frequently.
This is very important and something that seems to be often overlooked in EV driving advice.
Using the car’s regen to slow the car in situations where you are frequently needing to slow is great, however not all driving is like this, with frequent stop-starts, especially when you are on a long journey and maximising range is most critical.
When you are on a high speed free-flowing road, or on the Motorway, turn your regen off to its lowest setting. If the car is able to coast along as much as possible that is ideal as that is what is using the least amount of energy.
Where the regen is set higher the car is constantly trying to slow and recapture energy, and as a result you are using the accelerator to fight against the regen control of the motor. This uses extra energy and as a result will give you a lower range than if the car was just coasting.
I think the easiest way to explain this is that pressing the accelerator uses the most power, and at best the regen braking function is only able to recapture half of this power, so if you have to use the accelerator more, to help the car maintain a steady speed, you will be using considerably more energy than you are recapturing.
This I think is probably the single biggest tip when you are trying to maximise range on those long journeys.
TIP: Have your regen set as low as possible when you are driving on motorways and high-speed steady-flowing roads.
Using the car’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system consumes energy. To conserve battery power, use these systems sparingly and consider preconditioning your electric car to the desired temperature before you head off, while it’s still charging. Using seat heaters instead of the cabin heater can also save energy in cold weather.
When using your heating system try and use it as efficiently as possible. Set it to the temperature you want it to sit at and leave it there to maintain itself. Don’t turn it up high to get the car hot, and then turn it down when it gets too hot, to just turn it up again. This is very inefficient and will use much more power.
This is even more critical if your EV has a heat pump heating system, as this is a more efficient heating system, but only if it adds small amounts of heat. Its highly efficient at maintaining a temperature, but not very efficient at increasing it substantially.
Set the temperature according to the clothes you are wearing – in winter you will be wearing more layers as it is cold outside, so you don’t need it as hot in the car. If you are wearing clothes to suit it being 10oC outside, you don’t need the heating set at 22oC for example.
TIP: set your climate control to a comfortable temperature, and leave it set at that so the heating system is just maintaining its temperature.
All EVs have an Eco Mode setting, that reduces the car’s power, making it easier for you to achieve the efficient driving style described here to maximise your range. They often also reduce the power of the climate control system as well as to further help reduce battery drain.
Whilst an Eco Mode isn’t a substitute for a good EV driving style, and following the advice here, it certainly makes it easier to achieve greater efficiency and great driving range as a result.
If you know you are not suddenly going to need that extra power and rapid acceleration for safely and quickly pulling out of junctions for example, and you don’t need the full power of your car’s heating system, you may as well be driving in Eco mode as well as following the tips here in order to maximise your range.
TIP: if trying to maximise range, drive in eco mode as much as possible.
The rolling resistance of the tyres has a direct impact on an EV’s range. Lower rolling resistance means the electric car needs less energy to move, which can extend the battery range. Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance and can cause an EV to consume more power, draining the battery faster. Regularly checking and maintaining the correct tyre pressure is essential to optimize range, as well as important for safety and reducing tyre wear.
Also the larger the wheel the greater the rolling resistance, so while big wheels look nice they will not help you maximise your diving range.
TIP: Always have your tyres set to the correct pressure.
Being in a hurry means driving faster, which will greatly reduce your driving range. So plan your trips and appointments in advance, and make sure you give yourself enough time to drive efficiently on your journey. If necessary, identify where you can recharge your car’s for onward and return journeys if you need to. Taking the time pressure off your journey if you can, will make for a much more enjoyable EV driving experience.
TIP: Plan your journeys to give you enough time to drive without needing to rush and drive fast.
Finally, if your EV doesn’t have enough range, or if you want to ignore this advice and have a fast and fun drive, then public charging is there to give you as much range as you need to get anywhere.
The UK network is great and getting better all the time, and it makes it super easy to grab that extra charge needed to get you where you want to go.
If you think your driving style means you may not have enough range, then plan your charging stops, so you are charging long before your range is running really low, and have contingency charging locations ready in case there are any issues.
TIP: Drive a route with plenty of charging options, and plan your intended and contingency charging locations.
With efficient driving and good journey planning you can drive your EV anywhere, enjoyably and without stress.
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