Tips also apply to ICE drivers
- How to improve EV efficiency
- What else can drivers do?
- Keep tyres correctly inflated
- Reduce energy consumption in the cabin
A study commissioned by Kia has shown that electric vehicle drivers could potentially increase their range between charges by as much as 33% by taking on board a few simple tips aimed at maximising efficiency.
The study conducted in partnership with the automotive training firm Motiv8 revealed that, with the average driver covering around 311 miles during the Christmas period, by changing their driving habits EV drivers could save between £7 and £16 depending on where they charge their vehicles.
With the average electric car in the UK covering 9,435 miles every year, those savings could, over a 12-month period, add up to as much as £500.
The research, conducted among 1,200 electric vehicle drivers in the UK, showed that while 71% agree that owning an EV has helped reduce the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on their household, 52% said that they wished they were better-informed of ways in which they could adapt their driving styles with the aim of achieving greater efficiency and cost savings.
Interestingly, on the latter point, the proportion of EV drivers who said that they were interested in changing their driving styles to cut running costs decreased with age which, according to Kia, could indicate the more acute impact of the cost-of-living crisis on younger drivers.
As part of its research, Motiv8 twice took a group of motorists each driving a new Kia Niro EV over a route that included winding country roads, town driving and stretches of motorway.
During the first run, the test subjects were free to drive in their usual style under the instructor’s observation and, with those observations and the efficiency figure from the car’s dashboard read-out noted, the drivers were advised on how they could improve that figure.
With those tips in mind, over the second run each driver recorded, on average, a 33% improvement in their miles per kilowatt-hour figure.
How to improve EV efficiency
Most of Kia and Motiv8’s tips for improving efficiency are also applicable to drivers of combustion-powered cars and broadly tally with Driving.co.uk’s advice on how to save money on petrol and diesel cars.
- “Go easy with the right foot”: Up to 50% of the energy powering a car goes into acceleration, so aggressive driving uses more energy.
- “Lighten the load“: Take the roof box off if you’re not using it and unload any unnecessary clutter. Studies have shown that an empty roof rack can increase drag (and thus energy consumption) by around 16% at 75mph while a roof box adds about 39% more.
- “Momentum“: Careful route planning to avoid jams will keep you moving. Sometimes the fastest route is not the most efficient one, and using a GPS app will often help drivers to avoid traffic black spots.
- “Anticipate”: Reading the road ahead and coming off the accelerator in anticipation of roundabouts and red lights can help maintain momentum and reduce the need for braking and then acceleration, which eats into range. Even a small amount of forward momentum can make picking up speed again a lot easier for the car, so keeping the car rolling as you approach red lights can help greatly if they then turn to green before you reach the stop line.
- “Go slow”: Cutting your speed from 60mph to 50mph can improve efficiency by up to 15%, and it’s all down to (relatively) simple physics. As a car drives along a road, power must be equal to or greater than resistive forces, namely aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance in the tyres. Because the power needed to overcome drag is proportional to the force of that drag multiplied by the velocity of the vehicle, the faster a vehicle goes, the more relative power is required and the less efficient it is.
What else can drivers do?
Keep tyres correctly inflated
To add a couple of extra points to Kia’s and Motiv8’s advice, for safety as much as efficiency, drivers need to make sure that their tyres are in good shape.
Underinflated tyres will increase rolling resistance meaning that the car’s powertrain will have to work harder than it should.
Don’t try pumping them up beyond what is recommended in the user manual, though, as that won’t improve efficiency and can be dangerous.
While you’re checking your tyre pressure make sure the tread depth is well above the minimum legal depth of 1.6mm.
Reduce energy consumption in the cabin
Although the efficiency of cabin accessories in electric vehicles such as heaters and window demisters is improving all the time, they can eat into battery range if used extravagantly.
If you charge at home, try pre-conditioning the car ahead of setting off and while it’s still connected to the charger so that you don’t unnecessarily cut down on battery range by getting the cabin to the desired temperature.
In an EV, using heated seats and steering wheels is actually more efficient than heating the entire cabin.
In hot weather, turning on the air conditioning while the car is still connected to its charger and before you set off is a good idea, though when that’s not possible, opening the windows for a couple of minutes is worth doing as it helps dissipate some of the heat and reduces the requirement for air conditioning.
- After reading about the EV driving tips from Kia, you might be interested to read about the Volkswagen ID. Aero electric saloon
- Keen to go electric? Here are the top 10 longest-range electric cars
- Or read Will Dron’s review of the Hyundai Ioniq 5
Keyword: EV drivers could save £500 per year with these driving tips, says Kia