Get the most out of your range with these 9 tips

1. Put your vehicle in eco mode

Most modern vehicles have several modes that affect your driving style. These are usually eco mode, economy mode and sport mode. If you want to consume as little energy as possible, put your vehicle in eco mode. Especially with electric vehicles, your handling remains more than dynamic enough for Belgian roads.

2. Adapt your driving style

By driving smoothly and anticipating to traffic, you save a lot of energy. The less you brake and accelerate, the further your EV gets on a single charge. So release the pedal in time and let your vehicle coast to reduce your speed or stop. Also pay attention to your speed. The difference between 120 km per hour or 130 km per hour makes almost no difference in time, but for your energy consumption, those 10 km per hour quickly make a 20% difference. Do you travel long distances? Then keep a lower speed. That way, you need to recharge less often and even get to your destination faster.

3. Make the most of regenerative braking

Electric vehicles have regenerative braking, where the vehicle brakes when you release the accelerator. At that moment, the car actually recovers the energy released by braking. So if you make smart use of regenerative braking, you can extend your range. Moreover, your brakes wear out less quickly.

4. Use Cruise Control

By driving at a constant speed, you consume less energy. That is why (Adaptive) Cruise Control is a handy way of saving energy. Cruise control also comes in handy at lower speeds. Set the Adaptive Cruise Control so that the vehicle keeps enough distance from the vehicle in front. This allows you to drive at the same speed for as long as possible.

5. Use air conditioning and heating intelligently

Air conditioning and heating are absolute energy guzzlers. Saving on these will immediately get you a long way. Many EVs have seat and steering wheel heating. Be sure to use these in winter. That way you don't have to heat the whole vehicle and you're still nice and warm.

6. Heat or cool when your vehicle is connected to the charging station

Using your vehicle's app, you can heat or cool your EV while it's still at the charging station. This way, you use mains power instead of the energy your battery has stored. Afterwards, you get into a vehcile with the optimal temperature and have more energy left over for driving itself.

7. Check your tire pressure regularly

Correct tire pressure is crucial for low rolling resistance on the road. Especially in electric vehicles, this affects your autonomous driving range. Most vehicles warn you when the tire pressure is no longer optimal. Still, it is best to check it yourself from time to time. So check your tire pressure regularly and make sure your tires are always sufficiently inflated.

8. Plan your route optimally

Traffic jams are detrimental to your range. Frequent stops and starts consume a lot of energy. So try to avoid rush hours as much as possible by planning your route optimally. Many electric vehicles have a navigation system that informs you where and when to charge. The systems also indicate where there are charging points. This way, you will always have enough range and you will not suffer from range anxiety.

9. Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle

Like any vehicle, your vehicle consumes less fuel if it weighs less. So remove all unnecessary stuff from your vehicle and don't use it for storage. This way, you will save weight and your vehicle will not have to perform as much to get you from point A to B.

Electric driving is a unique experience. Not only is it good for the environment, but an EV also offers great driving pleasure and comfort. We are already completely convinced. Curious about our electric offers? Check out all our electric vehicles here.