By Avi Aranb
Many people are turning to EVs (electric vehicles) to help do their bit for our environment and reduce the impact we have personally on our planet. However, EVs have been around for a very long time, almost 200 years, so they are nothing new, and they are simple to operate. The only real difference between modern cars and the first EVs is the efficiency of the batteries and the safety of the vehicles. However, you will need to get used to driving an EV as they are different to cars running on petrol or diesel and take some getting used to when you start driving them. Below are some of the things you can expect when you start driving an EV for the first time and a few factors you will need to consider.
Planning Your Route For Long Journeys
A significant difference in driving an EV compared to regular vehicles is when it comes to planning a route for a long journey. When your car runs on petrol or diesel, you do not think about where you will refuel, safe in the knowledge that there are petrol stations almost everywhere. However, there are nowhere near as many refuelling points with EVs, so you need to be careful and plan your route accordingly and ensure you do not run out of fuel. One of the best ways that you can do this is to look at a map of EV chargers in the UK.
Your Driving Style
Something else that will need to change when you start driving an EV is your driving style, and you will need to change this to maximise the range of your vehicle. You will want to operate your EV as smoothly as possible, which means when you pull off, you need to refrain from putting your foot straight to the floor. You will want to try and stick to a constant speed when driving long distances to maximise the charge of your vehicle, and you can also use braking to help recharge your batteries and maximise your range.
Refuelling Your Vehicle
Another significant difference between driving an EV compared to a combustion engine vehicle is when it comes to refuelling. Even large vehicles that take hundreds of litres of fuel can be fully refuelled from empty to a full tank within about 20 minutes, but this is not always so with an EV. If you have a fast-charging point, you may fully charge your vehicle in around 30 minutes, but it can take hours before your EV is fully charged in a slower charging port. You may think that you will use a fast charger all the time, but when travelling, they are not always available, and it is not always the best option for your vehicle. A useful tool that will enable you to plan better is an EV chargers app that you can download. Bear in mind that fast charging will make the batteries you are charging heat up, which can damage them and reduce their lifespan, so there is a fine balance between charging quickly and prolonging the life of your batteries.
