Range refers to the distance you can travel before needing a recharge, making it a key consideration for electric vehicle ownership and dependent on various factors including your driving style and terrain.
Automakers are working on increasing EV range through better heat management and other strategies.
Battery Temperature
Battery temperature in an electric vehicle is an integral component to its range and performance, with too little heat being available resulting in less efficient performance and longer charging times.
Not necessarily true for all electric vehicles (EVs). Some have special thermal management systems to keep battery temperatures within safe operating parameters – the Nissan Leaf features this when temperatures dip below -20C (-4F), while Tesla’s more robust system triggers thermal regulation even if you are not connected or turned on.
Low temperatures require battery cells to use more energy in order to reach charging temperatures, due to chemical reactions between anode and electrolyte solvent, requiring them to produce heat in order to break this reaction and retain their capacity. At these lower temperatures, battery anodes cannot generate enough heat energy to interrupt this reaction, losing much of their ability and capacity in doing so.
At high temperatures, chemistry changes can alter the rate at which reactions take place in the Solid Electrolyte Interphase layer on an anode surface – this layer of inactive lithium salts serves as a protective shield between it and electrolytes.
This allows batteries to operate at higher voltages and temperatures, but at the cost of reduced lifespan. Lithium ions in the anode cannot be easily recharged due to higher temperatures; furthermore, maintaining these temperatures takes more power.
Physical properties aside, an electric vehicle (EV) battery’s chemical reactions have been designed to function optimally at temperatures between 40-80 degrees F (5-30 degrees C). As such, they don’t perform well at higher temperatures compared to lower ones.
Cold temperatures may temporarily lower your range; however, when ambient temperatures return to their usual state they’ll quickly resume functioning at their original capacity. When driving an EV in colder environments it is wise to try staying warmer than usual and drive at moderate speeds so as to protect its battery and avoid abusing its capabilities.
Temperature can have a profound impact on EV range. To explore this, use the Temperature Tool for EV Range which allows you to see how different temperatures impact an electric vehicle’s average range. Simply choose a vehicle model, year and battery size before selecting each temperature option to see how each affects it – then compare their results against averages to understand how you can maximize EV range.
Driving Style
Driving style has an enormous effect on an electric vehicle’s range. Aggressive driving habits like speeding or hard braking can drastically diminish its range.
Aggressive driving puts extra strain on a vehicle’s battery, and may quickly drain its charge – leading to shorter electric vehicle range than you anticipated.
Change your driving habits to combat these problems and stay safe on the roads. Try reducing accelerator use, practicing regenerative braking techniques and maintaining reasonable speeds.
As part of your energy conservation effort, it’s also wise to monitor your driving habits closely to make sure you’re not using too much energy inefficiently. For instance, if you find yourself carrying unnecessary items such as golf clubs or tools in your car when departing home – then perhaps now is a good time to unload these before setting out on your journey.
Saving energy and charging up faster are both benefits to consider when driving with heavy items in your vehicle.
An additional factor affecting the range of an electric vehicle is terrain. Driving over steep hills and mountain passes can dramatically decrease its range.
Due to these dangers, it’s essential that when possible you choose a route which has less steep grades and more flat surface areas.
Avoid driving in the rain if at all possible as this can reduce your electric vehicle’s range considerably. If necessary, take to highway driving rather than city streets.
Emotionally charged environments may also influence your driving style, and anxiety or nervousness are likely to make driving an electric vehicle challenging.
Before making your purchase, it’s crucial to carefully consider your driving style. Doing so will enable you to find a vehicle that best meets your driving habits, while helping to understand its range and maximize its performance.
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is an integral component of an EV’s comfort package and may pose an obstacle when looking to purchase one. How the AC operates has a significant impact on range efficiency; understanding its operation is vital so you can use it efficiently.
Air conditioners use a compressor to compress refrigerant, then disperse it through a coil into the cabin of a vehicle using energy from its battery pack. For optimal results, park in shaded areas when possible to prevent its interior becoming overheated.
Air conditioning draws power from your battery, thus decreasing driving range. To mitigate this effect, pre-cool the vehicle before driving out so that its stored energy can take advantage of being put to use instead.
AAA conducted a study showing that air conditioning can significantly shorten an electric vehicle’s range when driven in 95 degree weather conditions, including Teslas. They compared results of different makes and models of EVs.
At the end of the day, electric vehicle (EV) owners must accept this effect as an unavoidable aspect of ownership. That being said, there are still steps you can take to keep their EV’s air conditioning operating optimally and extend driving range.
Your EV may come equipped with an Eco mode or setting that can help minimize its effect on your battery. Some models even feature auto settings to automatically adjust temperature and fan speed in order to save energy.
Heat pumps offer another viable solution, acting similarly to air conditioning but providing heat instead. While relatively new to the market, heat pumps have gained increasing popularity as more cost-efficient ways of warming an electric car in winter.
As it’s important to keep in mind, using a heat pump will consume more electricity than simply warming the air inside your EV directly, especially if your older model relies on resistance heating which uses only a fraction of what modern heat pumps need for producing the same amount of warmth.
Maintenance
If you own an electric vehicle powered by battery power, it is vitally important that its range remains as expected. Over time, your EV’s battery pack may deteriorate over time; but by taking proper care and charging your car regularly you can help slow this process.
Further, avoid subjecting your EV to extreme low or high temperatures for extended periods as this could damage its battery pack. To protect yourself, follow all battery charging and maintenance recommendations given by the manufacturer.
Most electric vehicles (EVs) feature cooling systems to help reduce battery temperature, prolonging its lifespan and prolong its performance. You should get professional advice to regularly inspect and add coolant when necessary to your EV’s cooling system.
Your EV requires regular checks for wear and tear on other components as well, including its brake pads and discs which help stop it without mechanically driven friction. Updating them regularly will prolong their lifespan.
As with your EV’s other moving parts, such as transmission, lubricants can also be changed frequently to avoid sludge buildup. Furthermore, you should regularly inspect tyre alignment in order to maintain good condition of these assets.
Simply stated, an effective EV maintenance schedule will extend the lifespan of your electric vehicle while saving both money and time in the long run. Furthermore, regular service can prevent costly replacement processes for critical components in your EV’s frame – saving both money and time on maintenance bills!
One key difference between traditional combustion engine cars and EVs is their reduced number of moving parts; therefore, their maintenance requirements tend to be much less extensive than their gas-powered counterparts.
Most electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers recommend that you visit a dealership or mechanic who specializes in EVs for routine service and inspection of your electric vehicle, to ensure its peak performance and ensure its safety for you and your family. This can help ensure you’re receiving maximum value from your investment!