June 13, 2017

Outside temperatures affect the range of all cars, but electric vehicle drivers will feel the sting most in extreme weather. That’s because an EV battery does not deliver the driving range of a gas tank yet. Until that day comes, drivers of plug-in vehicles have to be more vigilant than folks driving cars powered by fossil fuels.

As we discussed in another blog post, cold weather has the biggest impact of all on an electric vehicle’s battery life, but hot weather will affect range as well. Anything that puts stress on a battery can cause it to lose power, and anyone sensitive to heat knows how stressful a summer day can be.

Whether you plan on driving in your plug-in frequently during the summer or live in a warm climate year-round, there are ways to get the most from your EV. Here are seven tips on maximizing your car’s range.

Limit Air Conditioning Use

Keeping your car cool might be a priority in hot weather, but remember it is draining your battery fast. Run the air conditioning at a reasonable temperature if you cannot settle for the fan and have limited charging options. In models with less range (125 miles or fewer), you may want to opt for cooled seats when available as an option.

To start your trip off with a cool car without using any battery power, run the AC system before you unplug from a charger. Once the car is cooled, keep it a lower setting or use the fan to maximize battery life.

Acceleration and Braking

Smooth acceleration and braking will get you the most from an electric car battery. Most EVs have a power gauge on the display that shows you how you are driving, but the best method is easing your way up to a preferred cruising speed and taking your foot off the accelerator as soon as you anticipate a stop ahead.

Cruising with your foot off the accelerator allows for regenerative braking action to add charge back to your battery. So not only are you conserving battery power; you’re also improving it. Of course, this tip applies to EV driving at all times, but it becomes even more important in the hottest times of the year.

Smart Stereo Use

There are few things that spell “summer” quite like playing your favorite music on the stereo with the windows down. However, fun as it may be, this way of driving will affect your EV battery’s state of charge (SoC). In a gas-powered car, the engine propels the vehicle, but in a plug-in model, the battery supplies the power for the motor, stereo and every other function that requires energy.

So blast your stereo whenever you like, but be aware of what it does to your battery if you need to arrive at a destination without stopping to charge. Maybe you don’t want to keep the volume at 11 for the entire trip.

Park in the Shade

High temperatures will force an EV’s thermal management system to kick in, which itself depletes the battery while preserving charge. Even though the first Nissan Leaf and other, older plug-ins are the worst at dealing with extreme temperatures, it remains a factor with any electric model.

As with other examples we cite here, the key is stress on the vehicle. Whenever possible, park in a garage to avoid exposing the car to high heats. When that is impossible, look for a spot in the shade.

Avoid High Speeds

Driving over 50 miles per hour feels light and easy in an electric car, but high speeds drain the battery at much faster rates than low speeds. While it won’t matter much in a Tesla, it will for other EVs. A glance at the difference between city and highway fuel economy suggests how much it can impact a car’s range. Most EVs get 20-28 MPGe more in city driving as compared to highway driving.

The faster you go, the larger the gap will be. It’s not only speeding, either. Staying under the maximum speed limit is always better for your range. So if you are not in a rush, take the back roads and enjoy the scenery. If you want to get there faster, plan on arriving with less charge than you would expect.

Use ECO settings

Manufacturers of EVs and plug-in hybrids help do the work for drivers with “ECO” settings that limit power output. You will feel less punch when you floor the accelerator, but it definitely helps keep a battery from draining faster than it should. After all, there is no difference between accelerating quickly or more gradually when a stop sign looms 100 feet ahead.

Cars like Toyota Prius Prime even offer suggestions on how you can conserve more energy at the end of every trip. When you see comments about climate control, acceleration or something else on the display, you can work on adapting the next time you take the wheel. In the Chevrolet Bolt EV, choose the “one-pedal driving” mode (full regenerative braking) to conserve energy.

Leave the Gear at Home

Summer is a time for outdoors excursions to the beach, park, campground, lake and other destinations that involve outdoor gear. While your car battery will be affected by extra weight inside the vehicle, remember to take out the surfboard or other equipment when you do not need it. Even though it may only be a few pounds, it will impact range.

Roof racks and flags also have an effect on mpg and thus total range. (These factors have the same effects on gas-powered cars.)

Conclusion

Limit Air Conditioning Use Smooth Acceleration and Braking Smart Stereo Use Park in the Shade Avoid High Speeds Use ECO settings Leave the Gear at Home

No one starts driving an electric vehicle like an expert, so be patient as you learn the technology. Remember that everything you turn on that requires electricity will drain battery power and ultimately range. EV manuals offer tips on getting the most out of your particular model, so read through it carefully when you have a chance. We’ll keep you posted on what’s working best for us.