Driving your electric car

Tusker’s last annual survey showed that while EVs are fast becoming accepted by the majority of motorists, there were still a number of misconceptions surrounding driving electric vehicles. In fact, electric vehicles are now more than suitable for the vast majority of motorists, thanks to the increased capacity of public charging networks, and the huge increase in range on practically all models. With 2% Benefit in Kind, which is set to rise to just 5% by 2028, it means that with the major savings which can be had thanks to zero emission cars, they may be worth reconsidering.

Charging

Much like with your mobile phone, the more you look after your battery, the more energy it will continue to hold. Wherever possible, try to charge your car overnight to ensure your battery maintains levels of around 70-80% range. By running down your battery until almost empty, it will degrade the battery overtime, which means it will slowly start to hold less energy.

Another factor to consider is the weather, as when electric car batteries are cold, it will take longer to charge them than when they are warm. This means that if you charge your car overnight, you’ll need to allow an extra hour or two to guarantee that you are fully charged up by the time you need your car. If charging at a rapid charger at a motorway service station, it may take a few extra minutes.

Driving in cold temperatures

When the colder temperatures of the UK winter hit, the available range will also decrease on most electric cars. Not only is this because of the increased use of in-car heating and lighting, but also because as mentioned above, the batteries themselves don’t perform as well. Drivers report that in sub-zero temperatures, which we don’t often get in the UK, the range of their car can reduce by around 30-40 per cent compared to the vehicle’s optimum range in summer.

Although this can be a significant drop, the remaining range is usually still safely higher than a typical daily driving distance. With the average car journey of 6½ miles in the UK and the average distance travelled throughout the day of 22 miles, even a car with a cold weather range of just 130 miles will easily get most drivers around for a few days between charges.

MOTs for electric cars

Although electric cars run differently to petrol or diesel cars and have far fewer moving parts, they do still need MOTs. The MOT will test for roadworthiness and so it’s compulsory for all cars that are more than three years old. Just like with a non-electric car, the MOT will examine all aspects of the car’s components and functionality, to make sure that it is safe to use – the only thing that isn’t tested are the emissions, as EVs have none! Therefore, as soon as you’re notified that your car is due an MOT, which is usually a month before it is due, please contact our Driverline to get a test booked as soon as you can.

Factors that affect the range

Regenerative braking

In addition to cold temperatures, there are other factors that can affect the range of your electric car. Travelling at high speed will have a negative effect on your range, as will sportier or more aggressive driving styles. It’s also important to make good use of regenerative braking when driving, as this uses the electric motor as a generator to convert most of an EV’s movement energy back into electricity which recharges the battery. In layman’s terms, this simply means that when you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal and onto the brake, the motor swaps directions and starts to put energy back into the battery, while slowing your vehicle down. In some electric vehicles, you will need to turn on regenerative braking to ensure every time you lift your foot off the accelerator the energy returns back to your car, but by using this feature you will not only gain more electric range, but also save your brake pads from wear and tear too.

Heating and cooling

When it comes to top tips to get the most from your car, there are also other things you can do to take full advantage of the range. Switching off either the heating or air conditioning can make a big difference to how much range you have available, as they both use energy if they’re not really needed. Instead, turning on heated car seats if fitted, or opening a window around town instead of the air conditioning, as this can give you a real boost of range. Most electric cars have a manufacturer app which lets you arrange for pre-heating or pre-cooling of your car’s cabin while it is still plugged in. This means that the car can prepare your heating or cooling while it’s still charging so that when you’re ready to start your journey, the car will be at your perfect temperature, while your battery is still fully charged.

Tyre pressure

Tyre maintenance is also a crucially important factor to consider when trying to maximise your range. Electric vehicles can be up to 30% heavier than a standard petrol or diesel car and so the tyre pressures can really affect your range. Check the manufacturer’s handbook in your car for the optimal tyre pressure needed to reduce levels of unnecessary rolling resistance.

Courtesy Cars with Tusker

Should the unfortunate happen, and your electric car needs to be off the road for an unforeseen reason, you may be eligible for a courtesy car. It’s important to be aware that when being offered a courtesy car, they may not be an exact like for like replacement for the car you currently have. It’s possible that if you have electric car, you may be given a diesel or petrol car instead to keep you mobile.

Congestion Charge

Electric and Plug-in Hybrid cars or vans qualify for a 100% discount on the Congestion Charge, although, to benefit from this discount, you have to apply for it to be applied. It’s easy to set up a London Road User Charging account online and apply for the discount simply visit https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge

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