How to optimise your electric car range
This image is sourced from Express
Range anxiety is the most common roadblock (no pun intended) when it comes to electric cars. Electric car range refers to the distance an electric car can travel on a single charge. However, according to EY, confidence in the price, availability and reliability of charging has replaced concerns about range.
There are now over 49,882 electric car chargers in the UK, which is a 43% increase from September 2023. The UK’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is continually growing and changing shape to meet the needs of EV drivers.
The top 6 ways to increase electric car range
If you're worried about the electric car range, this article will help ease your concerns by providing tips to extend your driving range and ensure you don't run out of charge. You should also read our article about range anxiety here.
Climate control
One of the main reasons behind an electric car’s range dropping is excessive use of the heating and cooling system within the car. Car and Driver tested a Tesla Model 3 in 2020. They discovered that using the air conditioning caused the car's energy usage to increase by 17%. The range was reduced from 234 to 200 miles as a result.
To maximise your electric car's range, use climate control less often during your journey. If the weather is too hot or cold, consider turning on your car's climate control while it's still plugged in to warm up or cool down before you start your journey. Most new cars come with apps that enable you to schedule this.
During periods of colder weather, you can use features such as heated seats or steering, rather than heating the whole car. Heating the entire car consumes 3,000 to 5,000 watts while heating just the seat or steering wheel uses about 75 watts.
Keep an eye on your tyres
The range of your new electric car can be influenced by the tyre pressure and the size of the alloy wheels you've selected.
Low tyre pressure reduces range by increasing tyre resistance to the road. Therefore, to keep your car moving requires more energy. According to MyEV.com, more than 25% of tires on UK roads are under-inflated. To avoid being part of that statistic, make sure your car’s tyres are properly inflated.
To increase your car's distance, pick smaller alloy wheels that fit inside the car's body and wheel arch without protruding.
Keep an eye on your speed and drive smoothly
Going faster consumes more energy and reduces your electric car’s range. Simple.
To get the most out of your electric car's range, try to stay under 60 miles per hour (mph) while driving (50-60mph is where they are most efficient). Where available, you should also use the Cruise Control or Eco functions of your car. The Department of Energy reports that you can save 14% of your energy by reducing your speeds by 10mph.
In addition, aim to drive smoothly, don’t suddenly accelerate and then brake abruptly. This will result in more torque being used, which will drain energy from your car.
Use regenerative braking where possible
To increase electric car range, you need to make full use of your car's regenerative braking capabilities. Regenerative braking reverses the electric motors that propel a vehicle and then feeds the energy back into the electric system to help replenish range. All you have to do is remove your foot from the accelerator.
Maintain battery health
As an electric car driver, it is important that you make a proactive effort in maintaining your battery’s health. If you're leasing a new electric car for three to four years, this isn't as crucial. But it is common for your electric car's range to decrease over time if you don't take care of the battery. You do this by:
Minimising rapid charging,
Keeping the charge between 20-80%,
Only charge to 100% for long trips,
Take your car for regular, short drives,
Don’t leave your car parked in one spot for too long.
Charge little and often
Maintaining your EV's battery in optimal condition involves regular charging, which extends its lifespan and ensures peak performance. A helpful guideline is to keep the battery level between 20% and 80% charged, avoiding complete depletion. During extended trips, aim for quick charges whenever possible to stay within the ideal range.
How can you avoid battery degradation?
There are a number of ways you can extend your electric car’s battery, but similarly, there are factors that can cause damage.
Do not overcharge your vehicle
You should not overcharge your vehicle. Where possible, try and avoid charging your car to 100% (which is easier said than done for those with range anxiety). To improve charging, we suggest charging your car when the battery reaches 10-20% and stopping at around 80%. A full charge will give you the maximum operating time but it is never a good idea for the overall lifespan of your battery.
No exposure to extreme weather
Extreme weather can harm your battery. On hot days, it's a good idea to park your car in a cooler spot to prevent it from overheating and losing capacity. Similarly, experts say that extremely cold temperatures can also decrease car range. To protect your car from harsher elements, it’s a good idea to park your car in a garage. Electric cars operate best when the outside temperature is around 20/21 degrees Celcius.
Avoid fast charging where possible
While rapid charging might not immediately damage the battery, frequent and continuous use of fast charging could accelerate the overall deterioration of the battery over time. This degradation could lead to reduced energy storage capacity, a shorter driving range, and a need for more frequent battery replacements.
What is electric car salary sacrifice?
Introducing electric car salary sacrifice schemes are part of the government’s initiative to create a greener future for the UK. Schemes like ours are in place to help drivers make the switch to an electric car easier and more cost affordable - and ultimately help reach the UK’s net zero target.
With The Electric Car Scheme, the company leases the car on an employee's behalf (technically making it a company car), and in return the employee agrees to pay it through their gross pay (pay before tax) allowing them to save 20-50% on an electric car!
Book a call with one of our Specialists or watch our explainer video to learn more!
Last updated: 10/11/2023
Next update: 17/05/2024
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