11 Ways to Improve Electric Vehicle Range
Getting to your destination without worrying when you'll find the next charging station is the dream of every current and prospective electric vehicle (EV) owner. Luckily, with these easy tips and tricks, you can get the maximum miles each time you go for a drive.
1. Head out with a full charge. The best way to maximize your range every day is charging your EV's battery overnight. You'll wake up to a more fully charged vehicle. Charge even faster at home with an ENERGY STAR®-certified Level 2 charger that qualifies for a $250 SWEPCO incentive.
2. Limit your HVAC use. Air conditioning and heating can chew through your battery at a rapid rate. If your car has them, take advantage of heated seats to warm up on long drives, and try to run only the fan to cool down whenever possible.
3. Keep your windows up and remove the roof rack. It may not make a huge impact, but leaving windows down and using a roof rack can mess with your car's aerodynamics. More energy needed to keep the car moving means more strain on your battery.
4. Lighten your load. Your vehicle's range can be improved simply by decreasing the weight it's carrying. Before your next long journey, clear out any items that add unnecessary weight.
5. Properly align your tires. If your wheels are pointing in different directions, your EV will experience increased rolling resistance and decreased range. Plus, your tires will wear out faster.
6. Check your tire pressure. Don't wait until your car alerts you to low tire pressure. Stay ahead of a potential problem and keep your tires pumped to the recommended levels. Every 10 psi of underinflated tires can cost you 2-3% of your EV's range.
7. Stay up to date on maintenance. EV's don't require as much maintenance as other vehicles, but it's still important to make sure everything's operating properly. Make sure your wheels are aligned and check fluid levels and replace air filters regularly.
8. Accelerate smoothly. Aggressively hitting the pedal isn't great for for any type of vehicle. But accelerating smoothly can also help you save some battery charge.
9. Watch your speed. Keeping your speed under 60 mph can do more than save you a speeding ticket. According to the Department of Energy, you'll use 14% less battery by reducing your speed by 10 mph.
10. Utilize regenerative braking. Brake energy regeneration can convert kinetic energy of your EV to electrical energy for your motor. If the engine — not the brake — is used to slow down your car, it can act as a generator and send a little extra charge to your battery.
11. Take advantage of eco modes. Many EVs have built-in modes that automatically adjust your settings to save power. They can automatically adjust HVAC settings, accelerator responsiveness and regenerative breaking functions.
By keeping your car in great condition and keeping an eye out for these key factors, you and your EV can go farther between charges.