How to reduce electric vehicle energy consumption in Australia — ABC News Australia
In Australia, electric vehicle experts advise drivers to use regenerative braking, avoid sharp acceleration and monitor their speed on highways to increase range and reduce charging costs. This was reported by ABC News Australia.
Regeneration and smooth driving
Australian Electric Vehicle Association technical coordinator Michael Day explained that when slowing down, an electric vehicle works as a generator thanks to regenerative braking. In newer models, he said, this function is usually enabled by default.
One-pedal driving helps make use of regeneration, with the driver smoothly pressing and releasing the accelerator pedal and using the conventional brake less often. Electric Vehicle Council senior policy manager Bjorn Siem noted that drivers need to get used to this method of driving.
Experts also recommend not accelerating sharply at every traffic light. Although electric vehicles can start quickly, such acceleration, as with cars powered by internal combustion engines, increases energy consumption.
Speed, tyres and excess weight
RACV automotive editor Terry Martin stressed that electric vehicles are more efficient in urban driving with frequent stops, when they can recover some energy through regeneration. During long highway journeys, the battery drains faster.
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For long-distance routes, specialists advise using cruise control, autopilot or an economy mode to avoid fluctuations in acceleration. If the charge may not be enough to reach the nearest charging station, Siem recommends reducing speed first: lowering it from 100 to 90 km/h already noticeably affects range, while driving at 70 km/h makes it possible to travel even farther.
Energy consumption is also affected by insufficient tyre pressure, excess weight in the vehicle and aerodynamic drag, including from roof racks. Tyre pressure should be kept at the level specified by the manufacturer and checked monthly.
How to preserve the battery and charge more cheaply
According to Day, most manufacturers recommend keeping the battery charge between 20% and 80% unless it is a long trip requiring the maximum energy reserve. He also advises choosing slower home charging where possible and avoiding excessively low or high charge levels.
The expert named charging at home from a solar power system or at a tariff with a lower electricity price during hours when the vehicle can be connected to the grid as the cheapest option.
