Looking for tips to increase your driving range? Whether you’re concerned about getting stuck on a long drive or simply want to nurse every mile possible out of your EV, implementing some of the recommendations from this list can help you get the most out of each charge.
1. Ease Up on the Gas Pedal
Evs are fun to drive due to their lightning-fast acceleration, but driving smoothly and focusing on conserving energy is the best way to increase your range. Keep your throttle input and braking gentle, and maximize your cruise control use when driving on the highway.
2. Maximize Regenerative Braking
One of the best features of EVs is their regenerative braking system (known as “regen”). How does it work? As soon as you lift off the accelerator, the electric motor switches into a generator, slowing your car down as the wheels spin and return energy to the battery. When you use friction brakes, you're essentially wasting energy as heat that could've been put back into the battery pack. Luckily, many EVs offer a one-pedal driving system that can bring your car to a stop with regenerative breaking and no use of friction brakes.
3. Check Your Tire Pressure
Your tire pressure light will only come on when the pressure is significantly low, but even mildly under-inflated tires can cost you a 0.2% drop in mileage for every pound per square inch (psi) that they are under the manufacturer’s suggested tire pressure. Your tire pressure being too low--or too high--also wears the tires down faster, leading to an earlier replacement. For these reasons, we recommend checking your tire pressure at least once a month.
4. Limit Your A/C and Heat Use
A study by AAA found that EV range drops by about 17% when using the AC on a 96-degree day. It also found that when using the heater in cold temperatures, your EV’s range can be reduced by 41%. In colder climates, making use of heated seats or a heating steering wheel can keep you warm and comfortable while using less of your heating system.
5. Check Your Wheel Alignment
Regularly check your wheel alignment to ensure your tire tread surface is as flat on the road as possible. When your vehicle is out of alignment, it increases tread wear and can reduce your range by up to 10%.
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