Slow down and take it easy. You decide how far the car will go
Range is a key topic in the discussion about the performance and cost analysis of e-cars. However, many surveys show that the majority of motorists in Europe drive well under 100 kilometers a day. So the range is not really a problem area. Here are a few suggestions on how you can optimize the performance and costs of your e-car. So, slow down and take it easy.
Choosing the right e-car for you
According to the standardized WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure – a globally harmonized standard for determining the range of fully electric vehicles, among others) test procedure, the cheapest e-car drives with a consumption of 13.6 kWh / 100 km. In an independently conducted test by the German automobile club ADAC, this e-car consumed a little more, 16.3 kWh / 100 km. The bigger the e-cars, the bigger the differences between WLTP and real practice tests. Additionally, consumption of over 50% compared to the WLTP test is quite possible with larger vehicles. Such significant deviations reduce the range and increase driving costs accordingly.
Driving at the proper speed
Both the battery capacity and the power consumption of the e-car are decisive for the range. Of course, heavy and powerful e-cars consume more electricity than light ones with less power. But there is another factor that is far more decisive. At speeds of around 160 km/h, air resistance has a 70% influence on power consumption. The more aggressively the service is called up, the lower the range. The driver largely determines how far he can get with his right foot.
Selectring the best charging
Batteries are charged with direct current (DC), but there is alternating voltage in the power grid. It must therefore be converted into direct current. This creates heat that is lost as energy. Charging losses always occur, they cannot be prevented. As a rule of thumb, the faster and the more electricity is charged, the higher the absolute charging losses. With fast DC charging – the alternating current (AC) is already converted into direct current – up to ten times the amount of energy is lost compared to slow AC charging.
Slow down and take it easy. You decide how far your car will go.
Find out more about the WLTP (click).
Inspired by ADAC
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