Increasing the range of an electric car: An energy monitor tells drivers how much longer it will take to fully charge an EV.
Now that electric cars are really making their presence felt in Singapore, you might be considering buying one.
But despite the advances in battery technology, range and range anxiety still remains an issue.
Here are 3 easy ways for EV (electric vehicle) drivers to increase their electric car’s range.
1) MAXIMISE REGENERATIVE BRAKING
Many electric cars, such as the Kia Niro EV, allow the driver to choose their preferred level of regenerative braking.
Regenerative braking in an electric car is like the engine brake in a petrol- or diesel-powered car. When you lift your foot off the accelerator, the car begins to slow down.
The higher the level of regenerative braking, the stronger the brakes are. This helps recoup even more energy and will help increase
the range of your electric car.
Some drivers, however, don’t like this and prefer to use the mechanical (the actual brakes) to slow down and stop the car.
Learn to use the regenerative brakes to your advantage.
2) UTILISE THE ELECTRIC CAR’S ECO MODE
It may seem redundant (since you’re already driving an eco-friendly car), but activating Eco Mode will increase your electric car’s range.
Eco Mode will enhance your car’s regenerative braking and make the drivetrain less responsive.
Before you protest, remember that electric cars deliver instantaneous responses. The immediacy of their power delivery is what lets you out-accelerate most regular cars.
Even in Eco Mode, most electric cars will still out-accelerate most regular cars.
The only issue you have to deal with is that the air-con’s throughput is lessened. So you may want to only switch this on at night when the weather is cooler.
3) MINIMISE EXPRESSWAY RUNS
One of the best ways to increase your electric car range is by using the expressways less often.
Now, using the expressway is unavoidable for most of us, and we all end up using them.
However, when you’re doing 90km/h or perhaps 100km/h when overtaking, the demand on your electric car’s battery is greater than driving at moderate speeds.
By using regular roads, there’s a greater chance for you to recoup more energy using regenerative braking.
But on expressways, we typically accelerate, maintain a certain range of speeds and then decelerate when we exit.
There’s fewer chances for regenerative braking then.
That said, most electric cars sold in Singapore offer plenty of range for the average motorist, whose commute averages 30km to 50km daily. Naturally, that figure also includes expressway runs.
