As electric vehicles become increasingly popular, more and more people in the UK are recognising the benefits of adopting them into their lifestyles. However, a key concern for EV owners, and those deciding on whether to purchase an EV, is getting the best range and charging efficiency from their electric vehicle. In this blog, we explore the best ways of maximising electric vehicle range and increasing charging efficiency.
Understanding Electric Vehicle Range:
The first step to optimising your EV range, is understanding the factors that influence it. There are a few aspects that directly impact the range of an electric vehicle, including driving habits, weather conditions, and the condition of your battery.
Driving habits play a significant role in affecting your electric vehicle’s range. For example, driving uphill uses more power, resulting in a lower vehicle range when compared to driving on level ground. Speed is also a factor – the faster you drive, the more your electric vehicle range will decrease.
Weather conditions whilst driving your EV can also impact the range. Driving in cold weather, rain, or other difficult conditions requires more power, and so reduces range.
Finally, the age and condition of your battery factors into electric vehicle ranges. Like most electricals, EV batteries gradually degrade over time, so older electric vehicles will have lower driving ranges than newer ones.
So what can you do to ensure you get the longest range from your EV? We’ve put together a few tips which if implemented can help you get the best electric vehicle range.
Maintaining Optimal Battery Health & Optimising Charging Efficiency
Preserving the battery life and performance of electric vehicles is essential for maximising range. Most manufacturers predict the battery of a well-built EV can last for 100,000 miles, which is why most warranties extend up to eight years. But whilst this might seem a long time, ensuring batteries are kept in good shape is essential to reaching this estimate. By adopting certain habits, you can ensure you get the most out of your battery life.
Implementing battery cooling and temperature control systems helps to avoid the battery getting excessively cold or hot, leading to overall better battery health. Electric vehicle experts also recommended that you only charge your EV up to 80% maximum, to avoid overheating the battery.
Whilst rapid chargers are understandably tempting, and in some cases necessary to use, its best to avoid using them too often as they can damage your battery health in the long term. Fast or slow EV chargers are recommended for everyday use in order to protect your battery. They may take a little longer to charge, but won’t strain your battery as much, ensuring it stays in good condition.
Regularly updating your EV’s software is a healthy practice for your EV, as manufacturers often release updates to improve efficiency. This can increase your charging efficiency and in turn, ensure you get the best range from your electric vehicle.
Maximising Electric Vehicle Range with Efficient Driving Techniques
Driving techniques can play a significant role in weakening the range of your EV, so adopting best practices can help to get the best electric vehicle range. When driving an EV, smooth acceleration and deceleration is recommended, as sudden and aggressive driving consumes more energy.
It’s also recommended to maintain a steady speed where possible, as higher speeds increase air resistance, subsequently reducing the driving range. It’s best to plan longer routes in advance, to try and avoid bad traffic conditions. If your electric vehicle has regenerative braking, this can also help to recover energy during deceleration.
Get the Best Range by Planning Efficient Routes
Effective route planning is crucial for maximising your EV range. Some navigation apps now come with EV-specific features, such as displaying charging station locations and real-time availability. Try to prioritise routes that offer multiple charging locations along the way, as it can’t be guaranteed that all charging points will be available. Plan to charge up well in advance, to cover yourself in the case that the nearest chargepoint isn’t available.
Consider factors like elevation changes and traffic congestion when planning routes, to optimise energy consumption. Although EVs are built to handle most conditions, steep inclines or regularly changing speed, can prevent you getting the longest range from your electric vehicle.
By implementing the tips and strategies discussed in this blog, you can maximise your electric vehicle range, helping you get the best possible driving experience.
Electric Vehicle Owner or Considering the Switch to EV?
Charge your EV in the convenience of your own home or business. For expert electric vehicle chargepoint installation, contact our friendly team on 01204 327 281 or email us at ev-sales@yucharge.co.uk.