Battery range is the critical consideration of electric cars — you want to get the most miles from every charge. While the public charging network is improving, you don’t want to make several stops to charge your car.
The good thing is that there are tips you can use to improve your car’s performance and get the most miles from every charge. Here is what you need to do.
Check Your Tires and Pressure
The condition and pressure level of your tires also impacts your battery power. In combustion cars, four and 11 percent of fuel consumption is linked to tire rolling resistance. As such, a decrease in rolling resistance improves fuel economy.
Most EVs come with low-rolling-resistance tires, making them power efficient. Still, you need to check your tires regularly. When buying new tires, opt for those with decent ratings. For example, A-rated tires are more efficient than “E.”
Avoid Overloading Your Car
It’s advisable to avoid carrying excess weight — this is common knowledge even in typical cars. Overloading the car means it will need to work harder to sustain the weight. Consequently, this means the car will consume more power.
Avoid carrying or installing things you’re not going to use. For example, de-mount your roof boxes and racks when not used — they can increase aerodynamic drag by up to 40%. Overloading also impacts your braking, steering, and tire performance.
Pre-Condition Your Car
Most EVs feature a pre-conditioning capability, which allows you to preheat or pre-cool your car before your departure time. The function is managed by a battery management system, and you’ll need to use it while the car is connected to the charger.
For example, during winter, you can switch on the function to preheat the car before you depart. In this case, the vehicle uses the main electricity to preheat the car, saving the battery power for more miles on the road.
Pick the Right Modes
Electric cars feature different driving modes, so it’s essential to understand each mode. The variations include Normal, Sport, and Range. The vehicle switches between these modes automatically or manually, depending on your settings.
Normals is the default mode, Sport gives you all the power, and Range (or Eco) delivers optimal efficiency depending on your driving environment. The Range mode can offer an additional 10 to 15 miles during long-distance driving.
Improve Your Battery Range
Extending the range of your EV car battery can give you more miles, especially when driving a long distance. Plus, the idea of running low on battery power can be worrying. The good thing is that it’s possible to extend the range of your EV.
Pick the most battery-friendly mode and ensure your tires are in excellent condition — this includes checking your tire pressure regularly. You should also avoid overloading your car — only carry what you need when making trips.
Additionally, these tips can help to improve your battery life.
