EV range is still an issue for a lot of motorists. Every time someone drives from the Bay Area to Reno or to LA, range and recharging become important aspects of planning the trip.
At Adams Autoworx we offer a few tips on how to improve the range of your EV:
- Aggressive acceleration is not advised if EV range is on your mind. Just as aggressive driving decreases mileage of your gasoline powered vehicle, so it does for EV range. Aggressive acceleration usually comes hand in hand with high speed driving - which increases air resistance and lowers EV range. Yes, "grandma" driving is good for range, whether you drive a gas guzzler or an EV. Using cruise control can also improve EV range.
- Use Regenerative Braking to improve the range of your electric vehicle. By gradually slowing down, you allow the regenerative system to recharge the batter by converting kinetic energy into electrical energy. This is similar to coasting towards a stop light when driving a gasoline powered car, except that you not only save energy, but you also get to recover some of that energy.
- Efficient charging improves EV range - partial charges are less efficient than longer charges, and of course electricity in off-peak hours can be less expensive.
- Small savings add up - use seat heaters instead of cabin heating, as seat heaters are typically more energy-efficient. Protect the vehicle (the battery!) from extreme cold by parking in sheltered areas. In the summer, park in a shaded area, and pre-cool the vehicle while still plugged in. Dim the infotainment screen.
- Tires can have large impact on your EV range. Keep tires properly inflated as underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and cost your EV additional energy (at Adams Autoworx we check and correct tire inflation every time you visit our shop). Use low rolling resistance tires - they will help to extend your EV range.
Steps listed above practical and simple to implement, yet will make your EV trips more enjoyable, and will also lower the overall cost of owning and operating your electric vehicle. Naturally, regular maintenance also lowers total cost of ownership, and can improve range as well. So just because your EV does not need engine oil change, it’s no reason to skip manufacturer recommended service. Give us a call if your vehicle is due for one.