Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. With more and more models on the market you may be becoming seriously tempted to get one. You may even be wondering what is it like to driving an electric car.
Will it be a bit sluggish or will it feel a bit different to handle? Are you going to have to drive differently to get it to work properly?
The simple answer is no. There are some differences in the electric driving experience but there are plenty of similarities. The guide below lets you know what it’s like to drive an electric car. While answering many of the questions buyers might have.
Driving an Electric Car: How it’s likely to drive ?
One of the benefits of driving an electric car is that they’re incredibly easy to drive. The reason for this is just because they’re electric. There are no gears to worry about, so you simply get in, press the start button, put it in drive on the gear selector and off you go.
It isn’t like a conventional automatic, where after putting the car in drive and letting the transmission shift through gears. The electric car doesn’t require gears, the motor that spins the wheels will go forwards and backwards at the required speed depending on how much the accelerator pedal is pressed.
Because of the torque of the electric motor, there’s no need for gears. This is because the rotational force of the motor is available instantly. With an internal combustion engine, you have to get the engine and wheels up to speed using the gears before an optimal speed is achieved.
As you can see it’s simple to speed up, and there’s an even better design for slowing down. When you lift off the throttle or press the brake pedal, the car not only slows down but also tops up the battery a little.
In many electric cars, taking your foot off the pedal will allow the car’s built-in energy capture or recovery system to slow you down. This is enough for most situations. But of course, there are normal brakes for when you need to stop more quickly. When you get used to driving an electric vehicle you may only use it for parking or coming to a complete stop.
This is called regenerative braking and is one of an electric car’s greatest differences from a conventional petrol or diesel model. But it is also one of the attributes that make them easier to drive. After driving an electric vehicle it can feel wasteful when braking in a conventional car because you don’t get the feeling of capturing any energy and reusing it.
What is it like to drive an Electric Car? Are they slow and dull?
The responsiveness of the electric motors means that even the most humble electric car offers a fun driving experience.
In terms of outright acceleration, electric cars respond well thanks to their powerful motors. When already on the move, electric cars have good pick-up during the in-gear acceleration phase.
This makes life when driving an electric car much easier, particularly in busy traffic.
Another essential feature of an electric car is the battery. It’s used to benefit driving dynamics rather than hinder them, even though it adds weight to the vehicle. It’s placed on the car’s floor between the axles, ensuring the centre of gravity is as low as possible. As a result, the suspension can afford to be a little softer than usual. This is to provide a comfortable ride, while the cars’ handling remains sure-footed and fun.
Are there any other benefits of Driving an Electric Car?
Another benefit of driving an electric car is that they are zero-emission at point of use. Not only that, they are responsive, agile, comfortable and fun to drive. There’s a long list of benefits of driving an electric car – the main one being refinement. EVs can run almost silently because the motors make very little noise. This has raised safety concerns and from 2021, all-electric cars must have an artificial noise added. This is to alert pedestrians and other road users that they’re coming.
Do I need to drive an Electric Vehicle differently from how I normally drive?
You can drive an electric car in the same manner as a petrol or diesel car. However, you wouldn’t be making the most of its features.
It’s better to use the brake energy recuperation technology to boost the car’s range and improve your driving at the same time.
If you read the road ahead, you can make better use of this ‘regen’ system. This, in turn, benefits you since it improves the car’s range. By topping up the battery, and by lifting off a little earlier, you won’t be using as much energy to start with.
By looking further ahead to judge when you need to lift your foot off the pedal, you will become a better driver. You may also see potential problems sooner.
Essentially, driving an electric car is very similar to a conventional car. In some ways, electric cars are different to drive. But we’re sure that you’ll prefer the electric driving experience.
Of course, there are no more trips to the petrol station unless you buy a plug-in hybrid. You’ll need a charging socket at your home or your workplace and at Trent Vehicle Charging we can install the right charger for you.
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