How to Get More Range from Your EV: 15 Proven Tips

Biggest wins

• Slow down on the motorway. Air resistance rises with the square of speed: dropping from 120 km/h to 100 km/h can add 15–20% to your range on a long run.
• Precondition while plugged in. Heat or cool the cabin and battery from grid power before you set off so the battery does not have to do it.
• Use the heat pump and seat heaters, not just cabin heat. Heated seats and steering wheel warm you for a fraction of the energy of heating all the air.
• Keep tyres at the recommended pressure. Under-inflated tyres can cost several percent of range and wear faster.
• Use regenerative braking. Lift off early and let the motor slow the car; one-pedal driving modes make this automatic.

Solid gains

• Drive smoothly. Hard acceleration and late braking waste energy; anticipate traffic.
• Use eco mode in town. It softens the throttle and often reduces climate-control load.
• Remove roof boxes and bike racks when not in use — they cut range noticeably at speed.
• Travel light. Extra weight matters most in stop-start driving.
• Choose efficient tyres when replacing them. Low-rolling-resistance tyres are designed for EVs.

Small but worthwhile

• Close the windows at speed and use ventilation instead.
• Set the climate to a moderate temperature rather than extreme.
• Plan routes that avoid steep climbs and heavy traffic where you can.
• Park in the shade in summer and a garage in winter so the battery starts nearer its happy temperature.
• Keep software up to date; manufacturers regularly improve efficiency through updates.

Range figures on the brochure come from standardised tests. Expect real-world range to be 10–25% lower in mixed driving and more in winter — that is normal and not a fault.