Electric vehicle drivers should avoid excessively slow driving to conserve energy
When it comes to driving electric vehicles (EVs) efficiently, finding the right balance and managing all energy sources cleverly is key. A recent analysis by Geotab, a telematics provider, evaluated over three million electric car trips and found that driving too slowly does not always result in range gain, and in some cases, can be counterproductive for the range of EVs.
Contrary to popular belief, driving too slowly generally does not reduce the range of EVs; in fact, very low speeds can sometimes be less efficient than moderate, steady speeds. For instance, tests with vehicles like the Lucid Air and Kia EV9 have shown that lower speeds, such as 35 mph, provide significantly better range compared to highway speeds (55 mph or above). The Lucid Air, for example, achieved about 485 miles at 35 mph, dropping to 378 miles at 55 mph and further reducing at higher speeds. This demonstrates how higher speeds dramatically decrease range, but these data do not suggest that driving extremely slowly harms range substantially.
During hot summer days, energy consumption in EVs increases due to the battery management system's extra energy use to maintain optimal battery temperatures, even if air conditioning is not actively running. In hot climates like Arizona, Nevada, or Texas, this hidden energy usage can cause unexpectedly high energy consumption, unrelated to driving speed alone. Additionally, using air conditioning or climate control systems heavily in summer will further reduce the effective range.
To efficiently manage an EV’s energy sources in summer:
- Moderate your speed — avoid high speeds on highways to maximize range since energy use increases significantly with speed.
- Use Eco or Energy Saving modes on your EV, which typically limit acceleration, reduce air conditioning use, and optimize power delivery to save battery.
- Monitor and maintain tire pressure, wheel alignment, and brake condition as these mechanical factors can cause excess energy use if they are suboptimal.
- Minimize unnecessary energy drains such as excessive use of Sentry Mode or other always-on systems when parked.
- Plan for battery thermal management energy use, especially in hot climates, understanding that some energy will be required to maintain battery temperature for safety and performance.
In addition to these tips, smart climate control with seat cooling and recirculation can save energy in EVs. Pre-cooling the electric vehicle while it's still plugged in can make a big difference in summer consumption.
In summary, while driving slowly itself is not a major cause of range reduction, driving too fast is significantly more detrimental to range. In hot summer conditions, battery thermal management and air conditioning are the primary energy drains, so managing speed and using energy-saving modes alongside good vehicle maintenance is the best approach to maximize EV efficiency and range during summer.
- The industry of electric vehicles (EVs) suggests that maintaining moderate speeds during driving can help extend the range of EVs, as higher speeds dramatically decrease range.
- In hot summer days, energy consumption in EVs can increase significantly due to the energy used by the battery management system to maintain optimal battery temperatures, even without actively running air conditioning.
- The finance sector might find it beneficial to invest in electric cars, considering the potential for lower energy consumption through smart management of an EV's energy sources, such as the use of Eco modes, proper tire maintenance, and pre-cooling the vehicle during charging.
