Top 3 Tips For Maximising Your Electric Van Range
We all want to get the best electric van range before stopping to recharge. Business owners and electric vehicle (EV) drivers are getting used to the fact that EVs cannot cover the same distances as internal combustion engines (ICE) without recharging. However, electric vans such as the Maxus eDeliver series easily beat ICE vans when measuring sustainability and service savings.
Do you want to know how to maximise your electric van’s range? We share our top three tips.
Focus On Driver Behaviour And Improve Your EV Range
In September 2023, the Automobile Association (AA) surveyed UK drivers for the most annoying driving habits. Eighty-seven percent stated they disliked it when people drove with full beam lights on when passing other cars, and twenty-six percent found tailgating on motorways irritating. Bad habits don’t change when people start driving electric vans. Focus on the following, and you will improve your EV range.
Speed. Driving erratically and speeding is as bad for your electric van as it is for your ICE vehicle. It drains the EV battery faster, forcing you to stop for a recharge more often. Drive smoothly, maintain a steady speed, and you will increase the van’s range.
Route planning. Are you making a long-distance delivery on a route that is hilly in places? Climbing hills requires more battery energy and reduces your electric van’s range. Use a UK-wide map of electric vehicle charging points and plan your route accordingly.
Climate control. It takes a lot of energy to heat and cool a vehicle cabin. Bring it to your ideal temperature while the van is plugged in and save on battery life. Drivers of Maxus eDeliver 3 Milk Floats appreciate their heated seats. Seat heaters use less energy, allowing you more driving range.
Load weight. The Maxus eDeliver 9 Low Loader’s payload (excluding body) is 1,410 kilograms, and its unbraked towing capacity is 750 kilograms. Carrying or towing heavy loads consumes battery energy and decreases your EV’s range.
Tyre pressure. Underinflated tyres are inefficient, causing a drain on your electric van’s battery and cutting down on your range. Check your van’s tyre pressure regularly to ensure it complies with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Look After The Battery To Maximise Your Electric Van Range
Each electric van’s range is determined by the size of its battery and external influences such as driver behaviour and the weather. The Maxus eDeliver 3 series, for example, offers two battery sizes. The Maxus eDeliver 9 has three battery options with various battery cooling methods to reduce charge time, extend battery life and increase the operating range. How can you look after your electric van’s battery and maximise its range?
Never let the vehicle’s battery run flat or under 20%, and don’t charge it past 80% unless you are going on a long trip. Use slow charging as much as possible and limit your use of rapid and ultra-rapid charging.
Understand Your Electric Van’s Performance
Most electric vans are fleet vehicles and business owners need optimal performance from their vans. Our final tip to maximising your electric van’s range is understanding its performance. We make it easy for you with our Maxus Intelligence Onboard system. It collates a range of real-time data into reports, including the following:
Driver performance. Behaviour data show whether drivers understand their vehicles and how they manage them.
State of charge. You see the van’s live state of charge, how far it is to the nearest charging point, and if a charge has been interrupted.
Compare costs. The Maxus Intelligence Onboard system gives you the energy consumption per vehicle and for the fleet. You will know where energy is added and how much it costs in each location. It will even tell you how much the total energy costs compare to an ICE vehicle.
Maxus commercial electric vans can be converted to meet your specific industry, cargo and passenger needs. They also have battery options to accommodate your driving range, whether city driving or long distance. Contact us today to choose the best vehicle for your preferred electric van range.