How to Increase the Range and Journey Time of Your Electric Vehicle

Are you thinking of switching to electric powered vehicles however are unsure about the range? It is everyday to be worried approximately this difficulty, specially if you have to journey long distances every day inside the town or if you frequently tour among towns. Fortunately, there isn’t one solution to the question of how to growth the range of electric vehicles, but multiple!

The range of electric vehicles (Electric Vehicles: EV) leaves many potential EV buyers in a dilemma. On the other hand, the range of EVs seems quite sufficient to most electric vehicle users. So, is it possible to increase the range of electric cars for those who disagree? As you have already understood, the answer to this question is yes! In order to achieve this, it is first necessary to understand the electric vehicle battery and its usage. Because the range of electric vehicles is directly related to their charge levels. So, it is time to examine what suggestions will increase the range of electric vehicles!

1. Pay Attention to Your Driving Style

Driving style is one of the most important factors affecting the range for electric vehicles . In order to maintain the range and even reach more kilometers (km) than normal, it is necessary to adopt an ideal driving style. For this, it is very important to avoid sudden movements and to comply with general vehicle usage rules. For example; if you constantly accelerate or brake suddenly while using your electric vehicle, you can naturally cause the range to shorten. To prevent this situation, you should always be at an ideal speed balance and drive carefully and smoothly.

By putting your electric vehicle in ECO mode, you can optimize acceleration and braking in the most ideal way in terms of energy. It is useful to pay extra attention to this heading in order to both extend the distance you will travel with your electric vehicle and to protect yourself from possible dangers.

2. Choose the Right Tire

Although it is not well known, tire selection and condition in electric vehicles also have a great impact on range. In order to increase the range of the electric motor, it is necessary to choose tires with low rolling resistance. In this way, the amount of energy consumed by the tire can be reduced and the range can be extended. On the other hand, tires that are not inflated to the correct pressure create more resistance, which negatively affects the charging capacity, that is, the condition of the battery, in electric vehicles .

When tires are not inflated to the correct pressure, the battery has to work harder to maintain optimum power. In this case, the range and travel time are naturally shortened. Some tire models designed for electric vehicles provide a certain number of kilometers more range per battery charge. In this case, it is possible to increase the range effortlessly with a small move and use the electric vehicle in the most efficient way.

3. Get Rid of Excessive Loads

The weight ratio in the vehicle directly increases the amount of energy spent. For this reason, in order to increase the range of electric cars, it is necessary to get rid of excess and unnecessary loads in the vehicle. This can include the items you put in your side seat, back seat and trunk. In order to save time or to reach your desired location more easily with your vehicle, you should remove the unnecessary items you carry with you from the vehicle. Otherwise, since the energy spent will increase, you may cause the battery power of your electric vehicle to decrease rapidly and therefore the range to shorten.

It is also useful to remove large vehicle accessories such as bike racks and luggage carriers when not in use. When you remove these accessories, you can reduce the load on the vehicle and therefore the friction, thus preserving the battery power and increasing your range.

4. Balance Battery Temperature

In electric vehicles, the temperature of the battery also has a significant effect on the range. How? Let’s explain right away. For example; an electric vehicle battery usually has an ideal operating temperature of around 20 to 40 degrees Celsius (°C). However, as can be expected, it is quite difficult to achieve this in the winter months. A temperature lower than these average degrees affects both the charging speed and the range. Because as the temperature drops, the electrochemical processes in the battery slow down. In this case, the battery cannot charge quickly and, likewise, cannot transmit electrical energy to the moving parts at a sufficient speed during operation.

On the other hand, in EVs parked outdoors or in cold garages, the battery temperature is the same as the surrounding temperature. In this case, electric vehicles need to use a lot of energy to reheat the battery. Therefore, these situations affect the range. Battery management systems can be used to balance the battery temperature. Suggestions such as pre-heating the battery and parking the car in an environment with ideal temperature if possible also help balance the battery temperature.

5. Turn Off Unnecessary Features

Just like extra weight on the vehicle, turning off unnecessary features in the vehicle’s equipment can also help increase the range in EVs. You can turn down the air conditioning and heating when they are not needed or turn them off completely. In this way, you can help increase the range of your electric car. One of the advantages of electric vehicles is that you can easily increase the range by managing these features! If you want to get the maximum benefit in this regard, you can also choose not to use items such as radio, interior lights and windshield wipers, which have a small effect on battery performance. Of course, without causing any risk factors!

6. Avoid Bad Road Situations

In addition to vehicle features and usage, road conditions also significantly affect the range of electric cars. For example; on a route where there are constant uphill climbs, it is inevitable that the range of the vehicle will decrease rapidly. In this case, if possible, it is necessary to find different suitable routes. If this is not possible, driving slowly in risky road conditions, preferring a constant low speed when going uphill, and using glide mode when going downhill can increase the range. Fortunately, you can increase the range of your electric car and your travel time by choosing flat, smooth and comfortable roads.

7. Pay Attention to Weather Conditions

Weather conditions are among the environmental factors that affect battery efficiency and therefore range. Temperatures below 10 degrees or above 30 degrees can prevent the battery from operating at full capacity. At the same time, the wind factor can cause the charge to decrease more quickly due to intense friction. In order not to experience a negative experience regarding
the effect of weather conditions on vehicle charging, it is necessary to set out on long city routes or intercity trips under suitable conditions. In ideal weather conditions, it is possible to keep the range of the electric vehicle as long as possible, especially by paying attention to the above recommendations.

8. Don’t Neglect Regular Maintenance

Problems that occur in the engine or other parts of electric vehicles can cause the battery to discharge quickly. In this case, of course, the range is also shortened. In fact, neglecting the maintenance of electric vehicles can cause extra efficiency in terms of range to not be obtained even if all the above suggestions are applied. For this reason, it is necessary to have routine checks of electric cars done at certain intervals without neglecting them. At the same time, seasonal maintenance and tire maintenance are also of great importance in terms of increasing the range and travel time in EVs.

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