Do you drive an electric car and are still looking for valuable tips and tricks? Then you've come to the right place! Refuel at home, drive quietly and odor-free with renewable energies - the list of Advantages of electric cars is a long one. But once the decision for an electric car has been made, there are countless other things drivers can do, for example to increase the range or extend the battery life, to drive in an energy-saving manner or to benefit from advantages for environmentally friendly vehicles.
In this article, I would like to give you the most important tips and tricks for using your electric car efficiently and get you ready for the electric car. Let's go!
You can find a brief overview here in advance:
- Adapt the battery to the usage behavior
- Reduce all energy guzzlers
- Heat and cool your electric car on the power grid
- Drive as energy-efficiently as possible
- Learn how to charge your electric car
- Use the braking energy
- Adjust your usage behavior in winter
- Avoid completely full and empty load levels
- Inform yourself before a trip abroad
- Take advantage of the financial benefits of electromobility
1. adapt the battery to the usage behavior
When purchasing your electric car, you should make sure that the battery is only as big as you need for everyday use of the vehicle. After all, the bigger it is, the heavier it is. And putting on more weight simply requires more energy. A higher energy requirement in turn has a negative impact on the environment and costs you an unnecessary amount of money.
Tip: Also make sure that it is possible to precondition the battery of the electric car. This will speed up the charging process considerably and protect the battery.
2. reduce all energy guzzlers
Another really important tip for all electric car owners is to eliminate energy killers in the car. For example, you can extend the range of your electric car by charging the battery for a higher Tire pressure so that the rolling resistance is as low as possible. To sustainable driving naturally also includes the anticipatory driving and smooth acceleration. Avoid too many bells and whistles on the rear seat and in the trunk - The less unnecessary weight, the better!
3. heat and cool your electric car on the power grid
Around the interior Cooling down in hot temperatures or heating up on cold days requires a lot of energy for your electric car - and that costs range! You should therefore try to keep the interior at the right temperature when your vehicle is connected to the power supply. If you are on the road, you can also use the Circulating air mode use, which consumes much less energy.
4. drive as energy-efficiently as possible
You've already received a few tips on how to drive your e-car in an energy-efficient way. But the list is much longer. Most manufacturers also integrate a Eco mode in their vehicles, which switches to coasting or recuperation mode and automatically minimizes the energy required for heating and the like when appropriate.
Also, don't ride too fast and ride steadily to save your battery. Rapid acceleration has the opposite effect. Ideally, you should accelerate slowly and take advantage of coasting when you reduce speed. Also take advantage of the One-Pedal Drivingswhich allows your electric car to be both accelerated and actively braked with just one pedal.
Tip: If you drive an electric car in the future, you can also use the slipstream of larger trucks to get a few more kilometers out of your battery.
5. learn how to charge your electric car
If you have the opportunity, you should use your electric car charge at home in the garage with (self-produced) green electricity at your own wallbox. As a rule, the electricity is also cheaper than the "juice" from public charging stations. But you can also take advantage of free charging options on the road from time to time (e.g. in parking lots of larger companies and hotels). Be sure to use the relevant apps to find charging stations and parking spaces.
Eighth during the loading process Make absolutely sure that the plug is firmly seated in the connection and lift it and the cable slightly if a connection is not established immediately. In the event of problems, it often helps to lock the electric car once and then unlock it again. Switch it on and off, just like a computer 😉.
6. use the braking energy
Many electric cars are able to recover energy during the braking process by means of so-called recuperation. This Kinetic energy converted into electrical energywhich propels your car for longer. Make use of these technical possibilities of engine braking (decelerates automatically when you take your foot off the accelerator) in your car, for example when driving downhill and generally by driving with foresight.
7. adjust your usage behavior in winter
Prepare yourself and your car for the colder temperatures. You can increase the range of your car, for example, by in the well-tempered garage. Through the use of the Charge control you can charge and preheat the battery, which in turn saves energy.
More energy-efficient is also the use of the Seat heating instead of the interior heating - but deliberately only heat the seats where someone is actually sitting. As you can see, there are countless options and tips for using your electric car in the most environmentally friendly and sensible way possible.
8. avoid completely full and empty load levels
Make sure that a battery is never charged to 100 percent and discharged to 0 percent, or not for long. Fully charging and discharging can damage the energy storage system. Ideally, the charge level is between 20 and 80 percent. From 80 percent, the loading speed is usually much slower, so you have to wait longer.
Good to know: You can be prepared for the residual capacity of your battery to be slightly higher than indicated for safety reasons. So you don't need to be afraid of running empty - but I can't guarantee that either 😉.
9. inform yourself before traveling abroad
Vacation trips with an electric car are no longer unthinkable! A rule of thumb for this is currently: Drive to the north rather than the south. Norway and the Netherlands, for example, have set themselves the goal that there should be no more than 120 kilometers between two charging stations.₁ Accordingly, you will quickly find charging options there.
Before you start your journey, be sure to find out about Possible benefits. In the Czech Republic and Norway, for example, you can use the highway free of charge if you drive an electric car.
10. take advantage of the financial benefits of electromobility
As an e-car driver, you benefit in many ways. Make sure you secure the government innovation bonuses. For example, you will receive a financial Environmental bonus for the purchase of your electric car. KfW also supports the financing of the wallbox in your own home.
Moreover, you can even earn money with your electric car. For example, by using the so-called GHG quota to a company via GHG providers.
Also be sure to apply for the voluntary "E license plate" for your car. For example, you can use it to drive in the bus lane, save on public parking fees in many large cities in Germany and recharge for free here and there. At the end of the day save money through sustainability.
Driving an electric car: Use the tips & tricks!
Driving an electric car is incredibly fun and is already much more environmentally friendly than a combustion engine. But as you will have learned today at the latest, there are still countless tips and tricks to make your electric car even more sustainable, efficient and cost-saving. Not least because electromobility is still in its infancy and is being specifically promoted.
I hope that I could help you with this article. Do you have any questions, suggestions or other tips that are still missing here? Then I'm already looking forward to your comment under this post.
Stay sustainable,
PS.: Look you gladly still something more in the Blog for sustainable mobility around. Learn now, for example, how you can to work as sustainably as possible come. Have a good trip!
References:
₁ Stephanie Sauter: How to go on vacation with an electric car: 7 tips, available at https://www.gofast.swiss/blog/posts/so-klappt-der-urlaub-mit-dem-eauto-2021-7-tipps. [19.05.2022].
