How to get more range from your electric car: practical tips

You don’t need a bigger battery to drive further. Most of the time, a few simple habits make a visible difference, especially in winter.

Prepare the car while it is plugged in

Turn on the heating or air conditioning from the app before you leave, while the car is still charging. The energy comes from the grid, not the battery, and the battery sets off warmer, and so more efficient.

Use the heating smartly

• Heated seats and steering wheel use far less energy than heating the air in the whole cabin.
• Set a moderate temperature and use recirculation when the windows aren’t misting up.
• On cars with a heat pump, let it work in automatic mode.

Speed matters most on the motorway

The difference between 110 and 130 km/h shows clearly in range. On a long trip, a few extra minutes behind the wheel can mean one less charging stop.

Let regenerative braking do its job

Anticipate stops and lift off the accelerator early. The car recovers energy instead of losing it in the brake discs. Details in regenerative braking.

Look after tyres and aerodynamics

• Check tyre pressures once a month, when cold.
• Take off the roof box and bike rack when you are not using them.
• Don’t carry unnecessary weight in the boot.

Use Eco mode

Eco mode softens acceleration and reduces climate control consumption. It doesn’t work miracles, but it helps in town and on long trips.