Section 6
Keep an eye on brake wear
An EV’s regenerative braking system (the process of using the motors to slow down the car and regain wasted energy) significantly reduces the wear and tear on brake. But EVs are heavy so there’s a lot to deal with when you do need the brakes, so you should still check them periodically.
Like all hydraulic systems, an EV’s brake fluidshould be changed every couple of years. It’s also worth checking that brake pads and pistons are not sruck due to lack of use.
Keep washer fluid topped up
Just like any car, an EV needs washer fluid to keep the windscreen and headlights clean. You won’t be popping the bonnet to top-up on oil, but you will need to maintain the washer fluid levels.
Watch out for service intervals
Just like an ICE car, an EV still needs regular servicing to keep it running at its best. A brand-new EV would require its first service after two years. After that, its functioning should be checked every year or every 18,000 miles.
At a service, your mechanic will check the drivetrain, brakes, suspension, steering setup, and other mechanical items. (These will wear out just like they do in an ICE car.) They’ll also check your EV’s battery health and its cooling system
Watch for wear and tear on your EV’s tires
As EVs are heavy, they accelerate fast and deliver a lot of torque to the wheels. This combination can place a lot of wear and tear on tires. Even if you’re a fairly relaxed driver, you might find that you go through tires more quickly on your EV than you’re used to.
Many tire manufacturers now offer EV specific tires designed for heavy weight and high torque delivery. But whatever tires your EV has, keep an eye on their wear indicators.
Also, ensure that your wheel alignment is correct, as misaligned wheels can accelerate tire wear.
We already painted a nice picture of how relaxing it is to drive an EV, thanks to one-pedal driving. But here’s the full detail on what it is.
In an EV, you’re able to stop and accelerate using just one pedal in your car, hence one-pedal driving. It’s possible because of an EVs regenerative braking system, a process where the EV uses the magnetic braking force of its motors to turn them into generators. The resistance created slows the car down, turning that energy of movement back into electrical energy. It slows the car and charges the batteries.
Mastering the art of one-pedal driving is all about learning to balance your EV’s regenerative braking force with your stopping distance. If you think ahead and plan properly, you need only touch your brakes in severe and unexpected situations.
Using this technique will help you to reach maximum range as it encourages the most efficient and smooth driving, it also maximizes use of regenerative braking meaning minimal energy is wasted. Another plus: it even extends the life of your brake pads since you won’t need to apply hydraulic brakes — the leading cause of wear and tear.
The term hypermiling originated among a group of efficiency focused drivers ⁽³⁾ in the early 2000s. Spurred on by the financial crisis of the time, they sought to maximize fuel economy by any means necessary. Hypermiling, and focusing on driving as efficiently as possible, can be a huge boon for EV drivers.
Put simply, hypermiling is made up of various driving techniques that help you reach maximum range capability, using the least amount of power. The goal is to use as little fuel or electricity to get to your destination, some people approach this with their driving style, while others modify their vehicles to make them more aerodynamic and mechanically efficient.
Here are some tips to get the most miles out of your EV:
Remove unnecessary weight.
Keep your tires at their recommended pressure.
Conduct regular servicing.
Go easy on the brakes and the acceleration.
Turn off non-essential electronic systems like air conditioning.
Switch to economy-mode if your car has it.
Use braking system as much as possible.
Use aerodynamic wheel covers if your car has them.
Next Section:
The future of EVs
1. https://www.energylivenews.com/2022/01/12/ev-drivers-have-no-interest-in-returning-to-petrol-or-diesel/
2. https://driveelectric.org.nz/consumer/what-is-an-ev/#:~:text=A%20fully%20electric%20car%20has,nearly%202%2C000%20in%20an%20ICEV
3. https://www.tyrehub.co.nz/blog/what-is-hypermiling-and-how-do-you-do-it/
