Electric Vehicles (EVs) are gaining ground in the auto market as technology improves and Americans become more comfortable with these vehicles. Today, over 2.5 million EVs are registered in the U.S., but the number one concern remains cost and range.

Managing your EV ultimately means maximizing the range of vehicles while preserving the overall driving experience. The former remains the most significant barrier to adoption, with 62% of Americans saying they’re waiting for the technology to improve. In the meantime, here are the top tips for EV fleet owners looking to maximize vehicle performance.

Battery Preconditioning 

Preconditioning lets drivers pre-heat or pre-cool their interiors before beginning their journeys. The difference is that preconditioning uses power from the grid via their chargers, not the battery, enabling drivers to maintain their maximum range before starting their journeys. 

Some vehicles can even be preconditioned using a smartphone app. Some features include scheduling and allowing vehicles to be preconditioned at a specific time. In extreme weather, this has the bonus of setting the battery at the optimum temperature for maximum efficiency. This is essential in many climates as cold batteries can reduce EV range by up to 30%.

One-Pedal Driving 

One-pedal driving enables EVs to accelerate, decelerate, and stop with only a single pedal. This unique feature is designed to enhance the efficiency of the latest generation of EVs. How does it work?

For example, the Nissan e-Pedal harvests energy when decelerating or braking and recycles it into the vehicle’s batteries. Even EVs without one-pedal driving still trigger this effect to a lesser extent. These vehicles are typically marketed as including “regenerative braking.”

80/20 Charging

It may seem counterintuitive, but drivers can preserve their EV batteries by maintaining a battery charge of between 20% and 80%, known as “80/20.” This is why most public chargers slow down after breaching the 80% limit.
Consistently charging an EV to 100% capacity degrades battery life. Regularly doing this promotes dendrite growth, which are lithium metal tendrils. Dendrites increase the risk of short-circuiting and reduce a battery’s ability to hold its charge.

EV In-Car Accessories

Climate control, heated seats, and infotainment systems improve the driving experience but also place additional strain on the battery. For example, the average climate system requires 3-4kW to operate, equivalent to five to seven miles per hour.

Although these comfort options are essential in many climates, this is another reason why preconditioning is so valuable. Fleet managers can encourage employees to alter their habits to gain additional range, such as charging their smartphones at home instead of in the vehicle.

Wheels and Tires

Drivers are recommended to check their tire pressures for safety and efficiency. The same principle applies to EVs. Underinflated tires gradually reduce EV range, meaning a slow puncture could ruin the benefits of driving an EV.

Some EV manufacturers have upgraded their tires to mitigate this issue. For example, Volkswagen includes AirStop tires as an added extra. AirStop tires utilize patented sealing technology to prevent punctures up to 5 mm, reducing the need to carry a spare tire.

Additionally, consider wheel choices carefully. Although larger wheels look fancier, smaller rims deliver more miles per charge due to weight differences.

Speed

Fleet managers should pay special attention to speed. EVs are far more energy-efficient than their gasoline-powered counterparts, but higher speeds impact energy consumption in every vehicle.

Generally, any vehicle going above 30 mph uses more energy to push air aside and overcome wind resistance. The principle applies to every speed, which is why a vehicle at 80 mph uses more energy than a car at 65 mph.

Helping drivers manage their speed can significantly benefit a fleet’s expenditure.

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