Hot Weather EV Driving Tips
We’ve previously discussed how to get the most out of an electric vehicle (EV) when driving in the winter. But there are also ways that drivers can optimize their vehicles to be the most efficient in the summer. While extreme cold can have a severe effect on the range of an electric vehicle, you won’t notice as big a range hit in hot summer weather.
Partially, that’s because while you are using the air conditioning to cool the cabin, it actually requires less energy to move the car down the road in warm temperatures than cold. Air is less dense in the summer than it is when it’s cold out – which means less drag from the air, and less less energy to move the car down the road.
With a few strategic adjustments, you can ensure your EV runs smoothly and efficiently throughout the summer months. Here’s an in-depth guide on how to maximize your EV’s efficiency when temperatures rise.
Precondition Your EV
Preconditioning is not only one of the most effective ways to manage your EV's efficiency in the summer, but also a very luxurious perk. Preconditioning involves cooling down your car before you start driving by using energy from the grid while it’s still plugged in rather than draining your battery.
Most EVs come with a complimentary app that you can use to bring the interior to your desired temperature while still plugged in. By cooling your car before you unplug, you can start your journey with a fully-charged battery and a comfortable cabin, preserving your range for the road ahead.
Think of this functionality like the modern remote start and you can use it in the winter as well, but it has none of the pollution like when you run the engine in a combustion vehicle.
You can even pre-condition the car when it’s not plugged in. You’ll still benefit by getting into a nice and cool car versus sitting in an oven.
Smooth Driving Habits and Eco Mode Reward You with Range
Most electric vehicles are equipped with an “Eco,” “Eco Plus,” “Chill,” or some form of energy-saving mode. This mode adjusts the car's performance to optimize energy consumption.
What these modes do to improve energy usage varies from model. They often include reducing acceleration power, limiting top speed, lowering HVAC output, and minimizing auxiliary power units.
When driving in urban areas, or during commutes where high performance isn’t necessary, switching to Eco mode can help extend your range significantly. It’s a simple switch that can make a big difference in how far you can go on a single charge. While your acceleration may not be as quick as normal, Eco mode can actually make a big difference in limiting energy used on the highway or especially in traffic.
Also, try to maintain a steady speed and anticipate traffic flow to avoid unnecessary stops and starts. Using cruise control on highways can also help maintain a constant speed, reducing energy consumption and extending your range.
Monitor Your HVAC Usage
Air conditioning is one of the biggest energy consumers in your vehicle, especially during hot summer days. To improve your range, make sure that when the car cabin is cool, don’t keep the AC blasting at its highest setting.
Usually, once a certain temperature is reached it requires a lot less energy to keep it at that temperature. You can even use other features in the car that use less energy in conjunction, such as ventilated seats. Cooling your car gradually and using recirculation mode can also help minimize energy usage.
Reduce Aerodynamic Drag and Weight
Aerodynamic drag can significantly impact your vehicle’s performance in all conditions, especially at higher speeds. Here are some tips to improve efficiency:
- When on the highway, keep your windows closed to reduce drag.
- If you use roof racks or carriers, remove them when they’re not in use, as they can create additional wind resistance as well.
- There are now roof racks and other external storage items made specifically for EVs to minimize drag. While they make look similar to existing systems, minor design tweaks can have large range savings over the course of a road trip; reducing drag is one of the biggest things you can do to improve range. Generally even more so than reducing weight and the overall load in your vehicle.
- Carrying excess weight in your EV can reduce its efficiency, but is only really noticed when going over mountain passes or driving on roads with large altitude increases. Once at speed, extra weight doesn’t have a noticeable effect especially on a relatively flat highway road.
Plan Your Route Wisely
Efficient route planning can make a substantial difference in your EV’s range. Some EVs even come with route planners in their infotainment systems that highlight routes which use less energy (and therefore should have less charging stops).
However, even if your car does not have a built-in route planner, there are now options from Google Maps and apps like A Better Route Planner that help solve this for you. You should also try to avoid routes with heavy traffic, or roads that may vary in speed and make it hard to use cruise control or drive at a consistent speed.
Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
Tire pressure has a direct impact on your EV’s efficiency. Under-inflated tires create more rolling resistance, and therefore mean your car needs more energy to move. Check your tire pressures regularly and keep them inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended levels. Properly inflated tires not only improve efficiency but also enhance safety and extend tire life.
Avoid High Speeds and Use Regenerative Braking
Driving at lower speeds reduces wind resistance and allows your EV to operate more efficiently, especially on highways. High-speed driving can significantly increase energy consumption in electric vehicles. That’s because drag from the air does not increase in a linear fashion as speed increases. It actually is squared. So the increase from 60 mph to 70 mph is a much greater increase in range destroying drag than increasing your speed from 50 to 60 mph.
Regenerative braking is also a great feature in most EVs which allows the vehicle to recover energy during braking and deceleration. By anticipating stops and gradually slowing down, you can maximize the amount of energy recovered and returned to the battery. This not only extends your range, but also reduces wear on your brakes.
Park in the Shade, or Bring Your Own
Whenever possible, park your EV in the shade, or use a sunshade to keep the interior cooler. A cooler interior reduces the need for air conditioning when you return to your vehicle, preserving more of your battery’s charge.
If shade isn’t available, consider using window shades to block out the sun and keep your car cooler. Many newer EVs offer glass roofs which on road trips be an extra way to enjoy scenery and make the cabin feel larger – but a glass roof can also cause a greenhouse effect and make the car warmer. That may be of advantage on a sunny day in the winter, but in the summer it is worth looking at sunshades that you can purchase to help reflect the sunlight coming through the glass roof. Some newer cars even offer electrochromic glass or powered sun shades to help keep the cabin cooler.
Regular Maintenance Is Key
Keeping your EV well-maintained is essential for ensuring it runs efficiently. Regular check-ups can help identify and resolve any issues that might affect performance. This includes checking the battery health, the radiator, and making sure there isn’t any debris in the air vents. Also, regular check-ups will ensure all systems are operating correctly. Keep your tires in good condition as well.
Conclusion: Driving EVs in Hot Weather
Driving an electric vehicle in the summer requires a few adjustments to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. By using these tips like preconditioning your vehicle, using Eco mode, managing air conditioning usage, and smooth driving, you can extend your range and enjoy a more efficient driving experience. With these tips, you can reduce energy consumption, forget about range anxiety, pass by more EV chargers without stopping and focus on enjoying your road trip.
