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Follow these tips to ensure you're getting the most out of your electric vehicle on longer journeys.
28 Nov 2024
Embarking on a road trip with your electric vehicle (EV) offers a unique and eco-friendly adventure. However, to ensure a seamless and stress-free journey, optimising your driving range becomes paramount. Here are some practical tips to help you make the most of your EV's range during your road trip.
Take advantage of the growing network of charging stations in Australia by planning your route. Use trip planning apps, such as Plugshare, which factors in the available charging infrastructure, ensuring you have reliable charging points along the way.
Smooth driving is the key to conserving energy. Maintain a consistent speed, avoiding sudden accelerations and decelerations. If your EV is equipped with regenerative braking, leverage it to recover energy during deceleration. These driving habits contribute significantly to extending your driving range1.
Climate control systems can be substantial energy consumers. Use them only when you really need, and consider pre-conditioning your EV while it's still plugged in. This means that you heat or cool your car with the air-conditioning whilst it is still plugged in2. This ensures that the vehicle uses mains grid power rather than tapping into the battery, preserving its charge for the road ahead.
Under-inflated tyres can lead to increased rolling resistance, negatively impacting efficiency. Regularly check and maintain proper tyre pressure according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Weather can significantly affect an EV's performance. Plan your travel during mild weather conditions to minimise the impact on battery performance. Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can lead to increased energy consumption. Choose optimal driving conditions whenever possible.
Explore if your EV has features such as eco-mode or range mode, designed to optimise energy use. Familiarise yourself with these settings and deploy them strategically during your road trip.
Avoid letting your battery level drop too low before charging. Charging efficiency may decrease when the battery is nearly empty. Aim to charge up to 80% or 90% for everyday use, reserving a full 100% charge for when you need the maximum range2, such as before long stretches between charging stations.
Stay actively engaged with your EV's energy consumption metrics. On most EVs you can use the onboard energy monitoring system to track real-time energy usage. Adjust your driving habits based on this information, ensuring a dynamic and optimised approach to energy conservation.
Sources:
1.RACV: https://www.racv.com.au/royalauto/transport/electric-vehicles/how-to-increase-electric-vehicle-range.html
2.BMW e-car hacks: https://www.bmw.com/en/automotive-life/e-car-hacks.html