If you’re thinking of making the switch to an electric car, whether you are interested in making changes to your driving to help the environment or are looking to save money by eliminating the need to buy fuel, then there are lots of changes that you will need to get used to. Driving an electric car can certainly be a lot of fun due to the smoother handling and the instant torque, with no need to spend ages getting up to speed on the motorway thanks to these cars’ ability to go from 0-60 in mere seconds.
Along with that, driving an electric car can be a much safer experience, with a lower centre of gravity thanks to the battery being located at the bottom of the car, more safety features, and the front designed to crumple upon impact. However, day to day, you might find that you need to change some driving habits to get the most out of your electric car. As you get used to making the switch from a traditional to an electric vehicle, here are some habits you will likely need to adjust.
Longer Journeys
When making a longer journey, you might need to set off earlier and allow yourself more time to get to your destination so that you can take a charging break along the way. While more and more EVs have longer ranges these days, allowing you to travel up to 200 or sometimes even 300 miles on a single charge, if you’re driving long-distance, you might want to top the battery up half-way. Since it takes longer to charge an EV compared to filling a tank with petrol or diesel and going on your way, you’ll need to factor this into the journeys that you make.
You’ll be able to find EV charging stations available at most service stations on the motorway today, so getting plugged in shouldn’t be a problem. But it can take from half an hour to an hour to get enough battery charge to resume your journey depending on the car and the battery that you are using, so you’ll need to be prepared for longer journeys with time for waiting for your electric car to charge.
Regenerative Braking
Another main aspect of driving an EV that you will need to adjust to is regenerative braking. Electric vehicles use regenerative braking to not only make the car safer, but reduce the wear and tear on the brake components, and preserve the range. Instead of pressing the brake pedal, you can slow the car down by easing off the accelerator, which also generates electricity to put back into the battery, allowing you to go for longer before you will need to recharge. This can take some getting used to if you are switching from a traditional to an electric car, but ultimately, it’s more comfortable and easier to do once you’ve gotten the hang of it.
Slower Driving
Since electric cars can’t travel as far on a full charge as traditional internal combustion engine cars do on a full tank of petrol and diesel, you may need to make some changes to the speed that you drive at. If you want to preserve your range as much as possible and make sure that you are not running out of battery charge before you reach your destination, you will need to be mindful of the speed that you are travelling at since this can have a big impact. Sticking to the speed limit or just below on the motorway, for example, rather than speeding up can have a significant effect on how many miles your EV will be able to cover on a single charge, allowing you to drive for longer without having to find a charging point.
Automatic Transmission
If you are used to driving a traditional internal combustion engine car and want to make the switch to an EV, then another major aspect of driving that you will need to get used to is the automatic transmission. This might not be much of a difference for you if you are used to driving an automatic car or have owned one in the past. However, if you’re used to driving a manual, then you’re probably going to find yourself reaching for a gear stick that isn’t there the first few times you drive your EV.
Only a single-speed transmission is required in electric cars, so there’s no need to change gears at all while you are driving. Like an automatic internal combustion engine car, all you need to do is turn or push the drive selectors whether you’re driving, parking or reversing.
More Planning Ahead
While petrol stations are usually a given along the road and you can usually rely on the fact that you’ll come across one somewhere no matter where you are, EV chargers aren’t quite as common these days, although the good news is that more are being rolled out and eventually, finding an EV charger should be just as easy as finding a petrol station. But for now, this means that EV drivers need to plan ahead a bit more than usual for each drive that they do.
You might want to download an app that helps you figure out where the nearest EV chargers to you are or plan your journeys on different routes to make sure that if you need to charge your EV, you can easily get to a charging point. You may also find that other aspects of your life are affected by the need to charge your electric car. For example, many charging points are located in supermarket car parks, so you might end up planning your grocery shopping around the same time that your EV needs to be recharged so that you can do both together.
Maintenance Differences
Another big thing you’ll need to get used to when you switch over to an electric vehicle is the fact that there is not as much maintenance to be done compared to a traditional combustion engine car. Since EVs have fewer moving parts, you’ll be able to forget about things like spark plug and oil changes. That being said, there are some parts of your EV that you will need to maintain that might be new to you when you make the switch. For example, you’ll need to keep the battery in good condition, consider battery maintenance when charging, and take your car for regular professional battery servicing.
If your EV is more than three years old, you will need to get an MOT each year in the same way as you would a conventional car. However, the MOT test is different for EVs, and will need to be carried out by an electric car specialist. You may also find that there is more tyre maintenance – it’s just as, if not even more important to keep the tyres at the correct gauge and pressure, and you will need to rotate your tyres regularly, along with using tyres that are designed specifically for electric vehicles in some cases.
If you want to get an electric vehicle for your new car, then there are many ways that your driving and even lifestyle habits might change as a result, from how you plan journeys to how you drive.
vehicles in some cases.
If you want to get an electric vehicle for your new car, then there are many ways that your driving and even lifestyle habits might change as a result, from how you plan journeys to how you drive.
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