As we come to the end of 2024, it is worth noting that the UK now has over 70,000 public charging points across the UK. As a result, we are starting to see a clear shift in mindset from “range anxiety” to maximizing your driving range potential. And whilst real-world conditions mean advertised ranges can vary, there is still plenty you can do to make the most of every charge.
Whether you’re an employee taking advantage of your salary sacrifice for electric vehicles benefit, or a fleet manager supporting your business to transition to more electric cars and vans, here are our top six tips to help you unlock your EV’s full driving range potential:
Number 1: Tread Carefully
The pressure and condition of your tyres can affect range efficiency. Underinflated tyres will increase rolling resistance, making your battery work harder and ultimately reducing its range.
Number 2: Don’t weight to clear out your EV
Every kilogram counts. Even your golf clubs! Removing non-essential items from your car can significantly improve its range. Towing can also reduce your range by as much as 20%, depending on the weight and driving conditions.
Number 3: Think Clarkson, not Hamilton
Avoiding fast acceleration and hard braking can reduce the rate at which your battery drains. Although perhaps not as exciting, smooth and steady wins the race. Also, take advantage of features like regenerative braking, which recovers energy from the battery. You can also optimise energy usage by hitting the “eco-mode” button, which is available in most EVs.
Number 4: Healthy Batteries = Longer Lives
Good charging habits improve your battery’s lifespan. Keeping your battery charge between 20% and 80% will minimise degradation and ensure long-term reliability.
Number 5: Route it Out
Difficult road conditions can affect your energy consumption. By using navigation tools like zapmap, you can avoid steep inclines, rough terrain, and traffic congestion. With just a little extra planning, your EV can deliver a more battery-efficient drive.
Number 6: In the Hot Seat
The weather can directly impact battery performance. Cold temperatures reduce battery capacity, while heat increases the need for air conditioning. During the colder months, heated seats and steering wheels are great ways to stay comfortable without maxing out your battery. Precondition your vehicle whilst charging to ensure optimal performance before hitting the road.
Ready to lead the Charge?
You can significantly improve your EV’s battery range and overall performance by making simple adjustments and adopting good charging habits. And with the charging network improving on a daily basis there's never been a better time to supercharge your fleet electrification journey.
At Gofor, we support you on your EV journey, helping you drive smarter and go further.
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