Battery range is a huge factor that prospective electric vehicles buyers look for, when considering making a purchase. As around 62% of electric vehicle owners report that they feel some degree of range anxiety, it’s time for us to share some top tips to help in its reduction.
What is range anxiety?
Range anxiety is the fear of running out of power before you reach your destination, and being unable to charge your battery. It’s very common for drivers who have just switched to an electric vehicle. The anxiety stems from the fact that electric vehicle charging stations aren’t yet as common as petrol stations.
Know your vehicle
Whenever you buy a new vehicle, it’s important to learn how it works beyond the basics. The same can be said for an electric vehicle. It’s important to not only know how many miles your vehicle has in its range, but also how range is affected by other factors such as weather, driving style and terrain. You could consider an electric car rental in Durham, in order to get to grips with the basics, before you commit to an electric vehicle full time. It’s an easy way to learn exactly how the range in an electric vehicle works, as well as get to grips with the slightly different driving style.
Plan your route
If you’re going on a long trip, an easy way to ease range anxiety is planning your route well in advance. You’ll need to make adjustments to your schedule to allow for charging time.
Superchargers at motorway service stations can charge your car in just half an hour. Ensure you plan which motorway service stations you plan to stop at, to ensure they have superchargers. Bear in mind that you might have to wait for a charger to come available, so be sure to allow for extra time.
Adapt your driving style
The smoother you drive an electric vehicle, the longer your range will last. Rapid acceleration and breaking can run your battery down quickly. Try using cruise control to ensure your driving is consistent. Ensure you take advantage of regenerative braking, in order to replenish some of your range as you are driving.
Charging station apps
If you’re travelling to an unfamiliar area, or you’re new to driving an electric vehicle, it might be helpful to download a charging station app. The app will identify charging stations close to you, give live charging times and they can even save you money. It will also show exactly which chargers in your local area are available, so you can change your route accordingly.
Additionally, you can utilise your EV charging app to track your energy use, making it easier than ever to be environmentally friendly.
Install a home charger
Of course, the easiest way to reduce range anxiety is to install the facilities to charge your electric vehicle at home. This will not only save you time when you’re out and about, it also stands to save you money. Some electric companies over off-peak rates for electric car charging. You can even charge your car up overnight, making it the easiest and most convenient way to charge your vehicle.
Conclusion
We hope that you can implement some of these tips to ease your range anxiety.
