Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): Your Complete Guide

Driving at consistent speeds is key to conserving battery power. High speeds and sudden surges consume more energy, so aim for a smooth and steady pace, particularly on motorways.

Rapid acceleration drains your battery more quickly. Gradual, controlled acceleration not only optimises energy use but also helps extend the life of your battery.

Regenerative braking captures energy typically lost during deceleration and feeds it back into the battery. To maximise its benefits, anticipate when you’ll brake and ease off the accelerator early and the vehicle will use its regeneration function to help slow you down, reducing the need for using the brake pedal.

Heating, air conditioning, and other climate controls consume a significant amount of energy. Use these sparingly, and consider pre-conditioning your car while it’s still charging to save energy for your drive. For a more energy efficient way of keeping warm, if your BEV is fitted with heated seats and/or a heated steering wheel, use these instead as they consume less power.  

Optimal battery performance occurs within a certain temperature range, typically between 15–25°C. Extreme cold or heat can reduce efficiency and range. Pre-conditioning your battery, particularly in winter, ensures it's warmed up before you hit the road, helping to maintain a consistent range.

Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance, making your EV work harder and reducing range. Regularly check tyre pressures and ensure they’re inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended levels.

Use navigation tools or apps to plan routes that include charging stations, particularly on longer journeys. Knowing where to recharge reduces range anxiety and helps you drive more confidently.

As of 2024, there are over 930,000 EV chargers in the UK with roughly 70,000 of those being public charging devices. This is an increase of nearly 63% in a single year with previous years seeing only a 30% year-on-year. 

To put this into perspective, there are only 8,353 petrol stations across the UK, meaning EV drivers already have significantly more charging locations available than petrol or diesel users do for refuelling. With more charge points being installed every day, the UK’s charging network continues to grow, helping to alleviate concerns around range anxiety and making EV ownership a more practical and convenient choice.

By maintaining steady speeds, minimising unnecessary power use, and ensuring your battery operates at optimal temperatures, you’ll enjoy the full benefits of EV ownership. With these tips, every journey becomes a showcase of your EV’s remarkable efficiency.