How to Maximize Your EV’s Range Tips for Getting the Most Mileage

Optimizing the range of an electric vehicle is a topic of growing interest among EV drivers. While battery technology continues to advance, driving habits and vehicle maintenance play a significant role in overall efficiency. This piece will delve into various strategies that can help EV owners get the most out of their vehicle’s battery, thereby enhancing their driving experience.

Top Tips Revealed: Simple Hacks to Extend Your Range

Nowadays, modern EVs deliver enough range to plan long-distance trips, while charging networks have expanded significantly, making EV travel more comfortable than ever before. However, your driving behavior can greatly impact your EV’s maximum range. One overly enthusiastic acceleration and your range drops by half… just kidding, of course. Still, knowing a few key tips to maximize range can be helpful for every EV driver. Let’s explore the secrets to achieving the longest range possible.

1. Avoid High-Speed Driving

When you’re driving your EV on the highway, it’s tempting to go faster, especially since most EVs offer instant torque and plenty of power, with some capable of hitting over 200 mph. But despite the urge, sticking to a recommended speed of around 70–80 mph will help your EV achieve its maximum range. And here’s a helpful tip: if you notice your energy consumption climbing and worry you won’t make it to your destination, don’t rush to turn off the climate control or other essential features. Instead, just reduce your speed by 5 mph — you’ll be surprised how much of a difference it can make.

2. Ease Into Acceleration

When you’re on a long road trip or driving in city traffic, don’t get distracted by the person in the next lane trying to start a traffic light race. Stay focused on your main goal — saving energy to reach your destination efficiently and without extra charging stops. Use the accelerator smoothly, especially when starting off. This simple habit can noticeably improve your real-world range. Keep in mind, aggressive acceleration while fun can cut your range by as much as 25–30%.

3. Take EPA Range Estimates With Caution

While the EPA offers some of the most accurate range estimates globally, real-world results often fall 10–15% short, depending on the specific EV. To understand your car’s actual range, it’s best to check independent testing results. Relying solely on EPA numbers might lead to disappointment or worse, running out of charge. Our advice: don’t wait until your battery is nearly empty to recharge. Top up more frequently to avoid delays and the stress of waiting for a mobile charging unit.

4. Take Advantage of Regenerative Braking

Regenerative braking not only helps you slow down, it also feeds energy back into your battery by converting motor resistance into electricity. In some tests, EVs have recovered up to 50% of energy in a short period, proving how effective this feature can be on longer drives. Most EVs today offer adjustable regeneration levels. We recommend using the highest setting and taking advantage of it whenever you’re slowing down. If you’re driving through mountainous areas, regen braking becomes even more valuable — you might start a descent at 20% charge and end it with over 40%, skipping your next planned charging stop entirely.

5. Use Slipstreaming

If you’re already driving slowly on the highway to extend your range but still think it won’t be enough, there’s another trick: follow a large truck traveling at a similar speed. This reduces wind resistance, helping your EV use less energy and stretch its range. But caution is key: if the truck brakes suddenly and your car lacks automatic emergency braking, it could end badly. Trucks also kick up debris that can damage your EV. We recommend using this tactic only in emergencies, and only if your car has auto-braking and a PPF-protected front.

EV.com Insight

Long trips in electric cars are closer than you might think. We’ve explored both common and lesser-known tips to help you maximize your range during your next EV road trip. But there’s one final and most important tip we haven’t mentioned yet: relax.

Don’t stress over the exact battery percentage or whether you’ll make it to your final stop. Just enjoy the journey, take in every scene, and let your EV do what it’s built to do, especially if you follow the range-saving tips we’ve covered above.

And if you don’t yet own an EV that’s road-trip ready, you already know where to find the best deals on every electric model.