Electric cars are cheaper to run than internal combustion engines, but you can save even more and travel more miles by driving them efficiently. Here are five tips to help you get the most out of every load.
Choose small wheels
Bigger wheels might look better, but the smaller they are, the more economical the car is.
According to Auto Club Europa (ACE), tires that are just one centimeter smaller can save around one kilowatt hour over a distance of 100 kilometers.
In cars with an integrated heat pump, this saved energy can be sufficient to warm up the interior.
recreation
When braking in an electric car, part of the kinetic energy can be converted into electricity, which is fed back into the battery.
Conventional braking is only required if the braking power of the electric motor is insufficient. This so-called recuperation is particularly noticeable in city traffic when driving stop-and-go, but also when driving downhill.
The strength of the engine braking effect can be switched off or adjusted in many cars, says ACE. E-drivers should familiarize themselves with the settings of their vehicle in order to make optimal use of recuperation.
Foot off the pedal
Most electric cars recover when you take your foot off the accelerator. The degree of recovery can also be adjusted for this, according to ACE.
With some vehicles, the so-called braking mode must be selected, with others there are no or even several setting options. A look at the manual will also help here. And then remember to take your foot off the gas more often.
Correct heating: fewer fans, more seat heating
According to ACE, the heating system is one of the biggest energy guzzlers in an electric car, so use it carefully. This means using the seat and steering wheel heating instead of the hot air blower.
Avoid short trips
Short trips in winter should be avoided, especially if there are long idle times in between, advises the ADAC. Because cold ambient temperatures not only cool the interior, but also the battery quickly.
Both then have to be heated up again while driving – the interior for the comfort of the occupants and the battery in order to achieve the optimum operating temperature.
If you can, you should park your electric car in the garage overnight, because extreme cooling of the battery costs range, says the ADAC. – dpa
