For many people considering an electric car, one of the biggest concerns is mileage. The same goes for those who already own one. In our latest blog post, we’re talking about all things electric car mileage as we share our top tips on maximising range, route planning and driving tips.

As battery technology is continuously improving, electric cars can travel further than ever before on a single charge. However, it is possible to get even more from your electricity reserves. If you’re ready to get the most out of your electric car mileage, keep reading.

Drive slowly and smoothly

We’ve all heard the phrase slow and steady wins the race. That’s most definitely the case when it comes to maximising your electric car mileage. Sticking to the speed limits isn’t just good news for speeding tickets, but your battery range too. According to The Department of Energy, you’ll use 14% less energy if you reduce your speed by 10 mph.

In addition to speed, aim to drive smoothly. To put it simply, quick acceleration and sudden braking will brain your battery at an accelerated rate. If your EV has an eco-mode, use that. If your EV has a sport mode, switch it off when battery preservation is a priority.

Maximise regenerative braking

Every EV features regenerative braking, an energy recovery system that slows down your vehicle by converting its kinetic energy into energy that can either be stored until you need it or used immediately. While it’s not a massive amount of electricity generated, it can add more range to your miles than you might think. So, avoid being heavy-footed on the brakes and use regenerative braking to your advantage.
Plan your route

As we focus on how far you can go in your EV, how you’ll get there is equally as important. The more time you spend on high-speed routes such as dual carriageways and motorways, the less electric car mileage you’ll enjoy. Taking the time to plan your route carefully, considering your speed, will allow you to cover more kilometres for your kilowatt.

Thanks to today’s technology, your satnav will find you the most economical route. Granted, it might take you longer to get there, but you’ll go further on a single charge and eliminate or delay the need for a time-consuming top-up.

Precondition your EV

Making use of your air conditioning, particularly the heater, will noticeably decrease your battery charge. Of course, you want to be comfortable when you’re driving, so you don’t want to forego air conditioning altogether. Instead, our top tip is to precondition your car ahead of your journey. Because it takes the most energy to initially cool or heat your EV, it’s best to do it while it’s still plugged in. Once your EV is at optimal temperature, it’s less of an energy drainer on your battery to maintain it.

Make use of cruise control

Regardless of whether you’re driving an EV, diesel or petrol car, using cruise control on flat roads is good news for your battery. Using your cruise control to ensure you’re driving at a constant speed is highly correlated with both fuel and battery efficiency.

It’s worth noting that using cruise control on hilly roads will have the opposite effect. So, ensure you’re savvy and switch between the two on longer journeys.

Check your tyre pressure

Under-inflated tyres will translate into a drop in mileage. According to reports, every psi drop in your tyre pressure will lead to a 0.4% drop in mileage. To ensure you’re getting the most out of your electric car charge, know the recommended psi for your EV’s tyres and check them regularly.

Travel light

As with all vehicles, reducing the weight of your car is one of the simplest ways to boost its efficiency. For every 45kg of cargo, your vehicle’s energy consumption increases by 1-2%. If there’s junk in the trunk that doesn’t need to be there, it’s time to get rid of it.

Ensure your battery is charged correctly
Last but certainly not least of our top tips for boosting your electric car mileage is charging your battery correctly. In a nutshell, a better-conditioned battery will perform better, getting you further. As most of your journeys will likely be shorter, it’s a good idea to charge your battery to around 80 per cent of its capacity. The reason for this is not only time efficiency but also to protect the batteries cells.

It’s worth noting here that there’s nothing wrong with charging your battery to 100 per cent capacity. However, the last 20 per cent of the charge is slower and heats the cells more, potentially degrading them unnecessarily. By doing so, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that when you do need to charge your battery to its maximum capacity, the cells will be at their best. Healthy cells = more mileage.

Now, this one isn’t a tip—instead, a piece of parting advice for you. As EV’s are becoming more popular, so are charging stations. So, when you are heading on a long journey, you can rid yourself of the milage anxiety some drivers face. In a worst-case scenario, you can make a planned stop to recharge your battery and take a break from being behind the wheel.

If you’re considering investing in an EV, but you still need a little convincing, you can use our handy tool to calculate how much money you could save each year. If you’re in search of an EV charging solution, Project EV is here to help. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team.