When it comes to getting better mileage out of your car battery, it isn’t too different from owning a conventional combustion engine car. Wiser decisions help improve the life and the range of efficiency of your vehicle. If you drive like a lunatic through the city streets, it’s obvious you’re going to waste through an entire gas tank quicker than if you made better driving decisions.
The same goes with driving an electric car. You can see just from looking at different models how the maximum range for both city and highway driving are different. With conventional cars, you might be used to getting more bang for your buck by getting on the interstate and smooth-sailing it to your destination.
The electric car is opposite. Faster speeds drain the battery quicker, cutting down on the range you’ll get on a single charge. While we wait for better technology to develop and to give us better overall range, there are a few tips and tricks you can learn to give yourself the best possible efficiency.
Tip# 1: Don’t Accelerate Harshly
One common thread about driving any type of vehicle is to not mash the gas pedal to the floor when trying to accelerate. Yes, we all have that need for speed and accelerating is the fun part of driving. But whether you drive a gasoline or electric vehicle, acceleration is bad for efficiency. Instead of being aggressive with your accelerator, just slowly make your way to desired cruising speed to save your battery’s juice.
Tip #2: Climate Control Saps Battery Power
You should already know from driving conventional vehicles that making use of the climate controls, especially the A/C on those hot summer days, can really suck down the fuel. Except, with electric cars, running either the heat or the cold can put a dent in your battery’s charge. There are a few tricks to help you save your battery.
The first is to take advantage of heated/cooled seating. Some models of cars come with heated seats as a package and can help keep you warm rather than running the heat. The second is to warm up or cool down the car while it’s still plugged in to the charger. If you ‘warm up’ the car unplugged, then you’re just wasting more battery power. Do it while it’s plugged in for better performance.
Tip #3: Maintain Proper Maintenance
Another way electric and conventional cars are similar is performing regular maintenance and upkeep will drastically improve your car’s function. Small things, like making sure the air intake filter is clean of debris, can make a big difference in overall performance. Schedule regular trips to your mechanic for inspections and to keep an eye on your battery pack. One of the biggest complaints about electric cars is the life expectancy of the battery. While this issue has largely been corrected with technological advances, you still want to make sure your battery’s charge is strong and up-to-date.
Tip #4: Know Your Numbers
Anyone who has driven for any amount of time knows they must pay attention to all the dials and digits that alert the driver to the health of various systems in the vehicle. You keep track of the fuel level, oil, temperature, water, and if there’s an error somewhere, you’ll most likely have a barrage of lights that will let you know what’s wrong.
Just like we’ve learned how to take care of combustion engine cars, we will also pick up better driving habits when it comes to electric as well. You know how you drive and if you actually pay attention to the numbers, you can improve the range of your battery. With a process known as telematics, electric cars will give you the information you need to know so you can monitor your progress, and gives you feedback on ways to improve your charging and driving habits.
Tip #5: Learning to Use Eco-Mode
One of the main features people look for in any car is its performance. Can it go from zero-to-sixty in under 3 seconds? Does it offer a certain amount of torque? Researchers have been studying the various effects performance cars has on gas mileage (or in this case, battery life). Much like the typical combustion engine vehicle, you have several buttons at your disposal that can increase or decrease various performances.
Of course, as you increase performance, it will come at the cost of your battery range. There are all different types of performance buttons that can help you save juice as well, including “Eco-mode”, which is designed to give you the best possible performance while saving energy. New technologies have allowed smart cars to know when you’re going downhill to also save on power (available on the 2016 Nissan LEAF).
Tip #6: “Power” Braking
It’s all about the transfer of power. When you hit the brake pedal, it creates a force of kinetic energy that can be used to reenergize the battery. Smooth braking puts a premium effort on adding more power to the battery, making your driving style even more important to your maximum range. If you’re accelerating at a slower, more comfortable pace, then there will be no need to jam on the brakes, giving you better range.
Most of the cars on the road today have a similar design. The rules for safe and effective driving still apply when driving electric. You must always be careful not to force it, as good driving habits will extend the life and the range of your battery. By following these six tips and tricks, you just might get more out of your electric car than what is says on the sticker.
