For many potential EV customers, one of
the biggest potential stumbling blocks before purchasing is ‘range anxiety’.
Yet with battery technology improving all the time, electric cars can travel
further on a single charge than ever before. Even so, there are ways you can
eek out your electricity reserves even more, so here are our top 10 tips for
extending your range.
1. Use regenerative braking
All EVs feature regenerative braking, a system that uses the
electric motor as a generator to send energy back into the battery every time
you lift off the accelerator or brush the brakes. It’s usually only a small
amount of electricity that’s generated, but use the set-up effectively to avoid
engaging traditional friction brakes and you can add more distance to the range
than you’d think. This is particularly true of EVs that
allow you to alter the level of resistance from the generator to deliver a
stronger braking effect therefore releasing more energy to be ploughed back
into the battery – such as the Hyundai Kona
Electric. Some electric cars can effectively be driven in one
pedal mode, allowing you to come to an almost complete stop without ever
touching the traditional friction brakes.
In the city, it’s best to use a higher regen level to
maximize energy generation in the typically short stopping distance. Whereas on
the highway, a lower regen level is better so that you can maximize the
distance travelled while coasting.
2. Pre-condition your car
Perhaps one of the neatest tricks you can perform with an EV
is to pre-programme its charging and heating/cooling programmes from the
comfort of your armchair. The air-conditioning system requires a fair amount of
energy to run, especially when it is trying to warm or cool the cabin in
extremes of temperature. So it’s best to get this done when the car’s plugged
in and charging, then all it has to do when you’re running is maintain a set
temperature, which uses less energy. This feature is particularly useful when
the weather is at its coldest, as you can pre-condition the cabin’s
temperature, demist or defrost the windows and even set your heated seat while
the car is still charging, helping to preserve the battery’s power for driving.
3. Condition the battery
One of the keys to a strong battery is correct charging, as
better conditioned cells perform better and live longer. Given that the
majority of journeys are short hops with frequent top-up charges when you
return home, then most of the time it’s best to charge the battery to 80
percent of its capacity. Not only is this faster, it means you avoid the last
20 percent of charge that is slower and heats the cells more, potentially
degrading them. When you do need the car’s full range capability, then you can
charge the battery to its maximum capacity safely in the knowledge that the
cells will be at their best and that the available range will be optimised.
4. Plan your route
It’s not just a question of how far you go in your EV, it’s
also how you get there. The more time you spend on high speed routes such
highways and expressways, the greater amount of energy you’ll need and the
quicker your predicted range will tumble. Plan your route carefully, however,
and you can get more kilometres for your kilowatt. Happily you won’t need to
spend hours poring over your road atlas to figure out an efficient route,
because most navigation systems will do it in seconds. With a little more than
a few taps on a touchscreen you’ll find an option for the most economical
route. Sure it’ll take a bit longer from A to B, but it’s also possible that
reduced energy use might mean you’ll go further on a charge and not have to
stop off for a time-consuming top-up.
5. Don’t speed
The faster you go, the more energy you use – that’s just
physics. This is true of all cars, regardless of power source, but it’s
especially so for electric cars. Instant torque and an ability to spin at tens
of thousands of revs means that almost all electric cars only have a single
ratio in their gearbox (the exceptions being the Porsche Taycan and Dual
Drive Teslas – the latter gears the front and rear motors differently). Single
speed transmissions mean the motor works harder the faster you go, with quicker
motorway speeds taking a particular toll on battery range (power consumption
jumps by about a quarter between 80kph and 110kph). Keep the speed down and
you’ll make the electricity last longer. The same is true of acceleration, and
while it’s tempting to indulge in the quick off-the-line blasts that EVs are
capable of, a more gentle approach to gathering speed will use a lot less
energy and so keep you rolling for longer.
6. Keep it smooth
Taking the path of least resistance is always going to reap
rewards when you’re looking to maximise energy use. Avoid the temptation to
revel in both lead-footed acceleration and late-braking and you’ll not see
kilometres drop from your range indication faster than they roll under your
wheels. By honing your anticipation and concentrating on reading the road ahead
you’ll be able to carry more speed everywhere – through the corners, over
roundabouts and out of junctions. This will mean you can take a gentler
approach to the throttle and brakes, helping rinse some extra range. More
importantly, you’ll become a better and safer driver in the process, while also
having more fun as you aim to keep up the average speeds without taking a heavy
toll on the battery.
7. Moderate use of ancillary systems
It’s not just the electric motor that has an effect on an
EV’s range – there are also all the car’s ancillary functions, such as heating,
lighting and infotainment. These systems have a surprising effect on battery
life, and if you set the heater to maximum in many electric cars, you’ll
instantly see a couple of kms drop off the range indicator. So it’s important to
make sure you’re managing these energy drains as efficiently as possible.
Pre-conditioning the car helps, but while moving set the climate control to its
‘eco’ setting, which normally disengages the air-con compressor. Some EVs also
have heated or cooled seats, which will keep you warm or cool while using fewer
amps than the climate control system.
8. Be prepared
Mass is always the enemy of efficiency, so make sure your EV
is as light as possible. We’re not condoning anything as extreme as stripping
out seats and sound deadening, but do make sure the boot isn’t full of clutter.
Slippery aerodynamics also help, so always remove roof racks and bike holders
when not in use. And believe it or not, a clean car will genuinely scythe
through the air with less drag than a dirty one, so frequent washing and waxing
will always pay off. Tyre pressures are crucial too, with underinflated rubber
increasing rolling resistance and taking a toll on the range.
9. Top-up charge when you can
Okay, so this one’s a bit of a cheat, but in terms of
cracking range anxiety it’s a sure-fire winner. Essentially, whatever journey
you’re undertaking, try and factor in a bit of charging time. So whether it’s a
trip to the supermarket, a dinner date or an outing to the gym, aim to make it
somewhere that there’s a charging point. Even on longer journeys where you
might have enough predicted range to make it without stopping, factor in a
break for a tea or coffee so you can unwind and the car can take on charge.
This way you’ll rarely worry about the range.
10. Choose a larger battery size
Okay, this might seem obvious, but the bigger the battery in
your car the further it will go before needing to be recharged. Unlike some
devices, such as laptops and phones, you can’t currently upgrade your EV’s
cells once it’s been built. Some carmakers abroad offer a choice when ordering a new car and
when buying used. For example, the Nissan Leaf is available with either
a 40kWh or a 62kWh battery, the former giving a claimed 270km of range, while
the latter delivers an impressive 385km. Obviously the larger the battery the
higher your financial outlay, but if you can stand the cost then this is an
example of bigger really meaning better. The upcoming Mahindra
eXUV300 is expected to come with two battery pack options
to cater to a wider set of buyers at different price points.
