Get more mileage out of an electric car

Maximizing the mileage of an electric car is important to make the most of your car while minimizing charging stops. In this article you will find practical tips to improve your electric vehicle (EV) range and get more kilometers from electric vehicles – from optimizing driving habits to maintaining battery health so you can get further with each charge.

There are technologies that allow you to increase the range of your car. Note that it is not necessary to increase the range of several hundred kilometers at a time. Even increasing the range by a few kilometers can make the difference between reaching a destination and stopping and finding a place to charge an electric car.

Keep the car in top shape

Just as an internal combustion engine consumes very little fuel with proper maintenance, electric vehicles also consume very little energy if kept in good condition. This means that you need to make sure your electric car is running at the highest level to achieve the best mileage.

Make sure you check your car regularly. If you notice a problem with your vehicle, no matter how minor it may be, fix it before it gets worse.

If you need to replace a part of the car, try to use only original, high-quality parts from reputable stores.

Advantages of regenerative braking

Regenerative braking improves the efficiency of electric vehicles by using the vehicle's powertrain to restore kinetic energy during braking, rather than the friction brakes giving off speed as waste heat.

Most electric vehicles have a mechanism to change the available amount of regenerative braking, usually via a menu or shift paddle. Many have a "one-pedal" driving mode that allows the vehicle to stop at maximum playback by pressing the gas pedal.

Frequent stops for intersections, pedestrians, or other vehicles can significantly increase range at urban speeds with high levels of reproduction. With smooth operation, predictive stop and early start of deceleration, these modes with higher regeneration can restore more energy and thus increase the range.

On the other hand, you have to be strategic in the approach, because intense, sudden stops increase friction between the brakes and the waste of energy.

However, it should be noted that regenerative braking cannot recover all the energy, so it is more advantageous not to brake in highway conditions that maintain high speeds over long distances.

To get most highway miles out of every kilowatt-hour used, use low playback and drive idle if possible and maintain a constant speed.

Gentle driving

Whether you're driving an electric car or a gasoline car, acceleration consumes energy. In addition, the faster you drive, the more energy you drain from the battery. For this reason, we want to achieve cruising speeds with as little energy consumption as possible.

Do not be tempted to press the accelerator pedal with force. Given how powerful and fun offline acceleration is for most electric cars, it may be impossible for some electric car drivers to resist it. Instead, gradually accelerate and you increase the mileage. Use the air conditioner

According to a 2019 AAA study, turning on the air conditioner on a hot day will reduce the range of electric vehicles by up to 17%. In addition, the same study found that heating an electric car's cabin with resistance-heated components limits the winter range by up to 41%, For this reason, care should be taken when handling the air conditioner in the car.

While some automakers are trying to mitigate damage through energy-saving "eco-climate" settings and more efficient heat pipe technology, turning off the vehicle's air conditioning will have a significant impact on the range of all accessory systems in electric vehicles.

If you do not need to turn on the air conditioner, turn it off. If it's hot outside, you can lower the windows instead of turning on the air conditioner.

the tires were inflated correctly

Because tires have a significant impact on the efficiency and performance of vehicles, many electric vehicles (EVs) have tires designed to reduce rolling resistance and extend cruising range.

Tires with too low air pressure typically roll with more air resistance and friction, reducing performance and prolonging wear.

To achieve maximum range, check your electric car's tires regularly to make sure they have the correct air pressure and are not damaged.

Note that all tires lose pressure over time, as air penetrates the rubber, slow leaks and holes appear, and the ambient temperature fluctuates.

For this reason, when the temperature drops in winter, it is necessary to pay special attention to the tires and fill them with them.

It is necessary to replenish the pressure, but note that excessive air pressure can reduce the contact area of the car and the place where the rubber touches the road, affecting the adhesion, extending the braking distance and endangering safety.

Information on the recommended tire pressure can be found in the electric vehicle instruction manual or in useful notes that are often printed on the door frame. You can also refill your tires with portable tire fillers or public air stations if necessary.

Tire pressure monitoring devices are part of the standard equipment of high-end electric vehicles, which can alert you when the tire pressure is too low, but they are not always accurate and are usually only notified when the tire pressure is well below the recommended value.

To ensure optimal performance, perform regular manual checks with the right tire pressure meter.

EV Battery

To increase the range of your electric car, you need to take the above steps. It should be noted that there is little that you can do with a car with already bad battery quality. Therefore, in order to easily increase the mileage of the car, you need to buy a high-quality vehicle with an excellent battery.

conclusion

Efficient driving practices, proper maintenance of electric vehicles and the use of regenerative braking can significantly extend the mileage of electric vehicles. These strategies not only improve the driving experience, but also help reduce range anxiety, so they make the most of all the loads and improve the overall efficiency of the car.