These tips will help maximize the range of an electric vehicle (EV), saving you both time and money in the long run.
Even though many electric cars today offer over 200 miles of range, optimizing that range still provides significant advantages.
As the summer comes to a close, you may be ready to take your new EV on a road trip.
With few exceptions, most modern EVs offer a range exceeding 200 miles, and thanks to advancements in fast DC charging and expanding charging stations, traveling long distances in an EV is more accessible than ever.
Despite the reduced impact of range anxiety, there are still clear benefits to maximizing your vehicle’s range.
The most obvious advantage is that, since electricity isn’t typically free, maximizing each mile per kilowatt-hour will save you money over time.
With that in mind, here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of your EV’s efficiency and range. Many of these tips also apply to hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Check Tire Pressure Regularly
Tires play a crucial role in a car’s performance and efficiency, which is why many EVs come equipped with low rolling resistance tires designed to enhance range.
However, underinflated tires increase drag and friction, which reduces efficiency and leads to faster wear.
It’s essential to regularly check the tire pressure to ensure it’s properly inflated and free from damage for optimal range.
All tires naturally lose pressure over time due to air seeping through the rubber, slow leaks, or punctures, and even changes in temperature.
Cold air, for example, causes lower pressure for the same amount of air. This is why I always make a point of checking tire pressure when the temperature drops during winter.
However, too much air can reduce the tire’s contact with the road, affecting grip, increasing braking distances, and compromising safety.
Refer to your EV’s owner manual or the sticker usually located in the door jamb to find the correct tire pressure. Use a portable tire inflator or public air station to top up as necessary.
Some premium EVs include tire pressure monitoring systems that alert you when the pressure is too low.
However, their accuracy can vary and they often only notify you when it’s already too late. I recommend checking tire pressure manually with a reliable gauge to ensure peak performance.
Make Smarter Use of Climate Controls
Using the air conditioning excessively on a hot day can reduce your EV’s range by up to 17%, according to a 2019 AAA study.
Similarly, heating the cabin in the winter using resistive heating elements can decrease range by up to 41%.
While some automakers are addressing this with more efficient heat pipe technology or energy-saving “eco-climate” modes, turning off climate control systems altogether has the greatest positive impact on an EV’s range.
Of course, you may not want to sweat or shiver during your commute, so preconditioning your car’s cabin before starting your trip can balance comfort with range.
This can be as simple as parking in the shade, using a window sunshade, or opening your windows to release heat before getting into the car on a hot day.
Many EVs allow drivers to schedule or remotely activate climate control while the car is plugged in, conditioning the cabin using power from the charger instead of the battery.
This ensures the heating and cooling systems don’t overwork when you’re on the road, saving battery life.
If your EV has heated or ventilated seats, consider using them to regulate your body temperature rather than conditioning the entire cabin. This can be a more efficient way to manage comfort and conserve energy.
Know When (and When Not) to Use Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking allows EVs to recover kinetic energy and convert it back into stored electricity, increasing efficiency. Naturally, this makes it an attractive way to maximize range.
But whether or not you should use regenerative braking depends on the situation.
Most EVs allow drivers to adjust the level of regenerative braking, either using paddle shifters or a menu setting, and many feature “one-pedal driving” modes that bring the car to a stop with maximum regeneration simply by lifting off the accelerator.
At low speeds, such as in urban environments with frequent stops, higher regenerative braking levels can significantly boost range.
Driving smoothly, anticipating stops, and beginning deceleration early will allow for more efficient energy recovery.
However, regenerative braking is not 100% efficient, and on highways where speeds are higher and consistent, it is better to avoid using brakes altogether.
At highway speeds, it’s more beneficial to use low regeneration or coast, allowing you to maximize the efficiency of each kilowatt-hour.
This is why many German and American EVs, optimized for highway driving, prefer coasting over strong regeneration.
Premium EVs, like the BMW i4 and iX, often feature automatic regenerative braking that adjusts based on factors like battery charge, speed, and distance to the car ahead.
While convenient, this system may not always provide the smoothest deceleration experience.
Slow Down and Drive Smoothly
Acceleration and speed are the biggest factors affecting EV range. On city streets, rapid starts and hard accelerations use more energy because they are often followed by hard braking.
This combination of inefficient acceleration and braking results in wasted energy. Smooth acceleration treating the accelerator as though it’s an egg you don’t want to crack will save energy and increase range.
Many EVs feature an Eco mode that helps smooth out acceleration by making the accelerator pedal less responsive and adjusting other vehicle systems to reduce energy consumption.
On highways, air resistance is the primary enemy of range. Modern EVs are highly aerodynamic, but at high speeds, the drag force increases exponentially with speed.
For example, doubling your speed quadruples the resistance. Even shaving off 5 to 10 mph from your cruising speed can have a noticeable impact on how many miles you can travel on a single charge.
Other Ways to Boost Range
If your EV has a roof rack that’s not frequently used, consider removing it.
External accessories like bike racks, cargo boxes, and even the rails themselves can increase the vehicle’s aerodynamic drag, especially at higher speeds, which reduces range.
A heavier EV requires more energy to accelerate. If your trunk is loaded with bulky or heavy cargo, this will slightly reduce efficiency.
However, small items like a charging cable or an emergency kit typically won’t make much of a difference.