Electricity prices are rising and many e-car drivers are wondering how they can reduce their energy consumption in everyday life and thus save some money.
With our tips, you can save electricity when driving electric and even gain range.
What you should look out for when buying an electric car:
Before you buy an electric car, there are a few factors you should consider to ensure you get the best e-car for your needs. Here are a few things to look out for.
Battery Capacity / Range: Check the range of the car when it is fully charged and make sure it is sufficient for your daily driving needs. Saving energy starts with the selection of the electric car. That’s why when choosing an electric car, make sure the battery capacity is right for you. After all, the bigger the battery, the heavier it is, and more weight means: higher energy consumption.
Charging times: Consider how long it takes to recharge the car and whether it fits comfortably into your daily routine. It is also advisable to charge the electric car at a wallbox instead of a standard household socket. This way, your car will not only charge safer and faster, but also more efficiently.
Availability of charging stations: If you don’t have your own charging facility at home, check if there are enough charging stations in your area to charge your e-car.
Performance and driving behavior: Check the e-car’s performance and ride, including acceleration, handling and stability, and make sure it meets your needs.
So how can I save electricity if I’ve already decided to buy an electric car?
The biggest impact on the energy consumption of an electric car is the individual driving style and charging behavior. Apart from that, there are also factors such as the outside temperature, but these cannot be influenced.
Details such as rim size and tire pressure also have an impact on the range of your e-car. To reduce consumption, it is recommended to use the smallest possible rim size. For example, 1 inch can make a difference of 30km range.
Tires also play a role. Narrow and rolling resistance optimized tires with aerodynamically closed rims have a positive effect. About 0.2 bar additional tire pressure is usually not a problem and can provide additional range.
Of course, the same applies as with the internal combustion engine: Avoid unnecessary luggage. The lower the vehicle weight and the air resistance, the more energy-efficient you will be.
What else should you consider when driving?
Use regenerative braking energy:
The term “recuperation” describes the technical process of recovering energy when slowing down in hybrids or all-electric cars. This happens when you take your foot off the gas without touching the brake pedal. This noticeable resistance is precisely what recuperation is.
Try to use this recuperation as often as possible instead of the brake to use regenerative braking energy. The electric motor converts the kinetic energy generated during driving back into electrical energy. This is stored in the battery and provides more range for the electric vehicle.
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and deceleration:
Accelerate gently and avoid abrupt braking, as this increases energy consumption. Let your e-car coast when you want to slow down.
Driving at higher speeds has the greatest impact on range. You will notice this especially when driving longer distances on the highway. The reason for this is that high speed requires more energy due to the higher air resistance. Therefore, avoid excessive speed. Try to maintain a constant speed instead of accelerating quickly and then braking again, as this increases energy consumption.
It is recommended to use the eco or energy saving mode. This reduces energy consumption by limiting functions such as air conditioning or engine power.
Plan the route carefully: try to plan the route so that you have as little stop and go traffic as possible and drive on roads with low traffic volumes to minimize energy consumption.
Have fun saving energy 🙂